long distance 260 rem powder

[1957pistol]

So I'm looking for feedback from 260 shooters on powder. I have some time to decide since Bartlien is still (8 weeks! - quoted 4) fitting the new barrel on my surgeon.
Just looking for results. I'm using a 26" bartlien HV #9 with a new Surgeon 591, Jewell BR in a aics chasis. Our range is just short of 1k (980yrds) and is being cut out to 1500ish over the summer. I have sierra MK's in 140gr and 123gr and Lapua brass.

opinions/hypothesis welcome preferably from experience on what is working the best for longer distances.
H4350?
reloder19? 17?
H1000?
IMR4831?

 

[Topstrap]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

For some strange reason all three of my 260s like H4350. All shoot 42.5 with the Hornady 140BTHP Match very well to 1000 yards. The rifle and both pistols will also shoot 44gr of H4350 with same bullet equally well but since it shoots the lighter load as good I went with it for a bit longer barrel life. All three are loaded the same including seating depth. Not saying yours will like it but it seems to be a good load to start with. Sometimes ya just got to put in some time with some load development if your gun is fussy.

Topstrap

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

All I've ever used is H4350. I have never seen a reason to use something else.

 

[jrob300]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

Another vote for H4350. I've been using it in Lapua brass behind Berger 140 VLD's and Lapua 139 Scenars. The results are phenomenal. My last group at 300 yds. was .166 moa.

John

 

[427Cobra]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

H4350

 

[jagged77]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

42 grains H4350 on top of 140 SMK's for me, RP brass CCI 200 primers. Shoots sub MOA out to 1100 yards.

 

[bowslngr]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

I hate to disagree....so I won't. H4350.

 

[silentbushmaster]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

Varget

 

[65nut]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

for me, the longer distances, 600 to 1,000 yards, the h4350 is great.

up to the 600 yards, i used 36.5 grains of varget with 123 scenars and amaxs with great accuracy out of 2 different 260s.

 

[Gogetum]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

H4831SC might be worth a try.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

For barrrels of 24" and 28" I've found 43.8gr of H4350 and the 139-142gr weight range bullets are a very good 'round number'.

I also think H4831SC could be very effective, but I also think it would probably work best in barrels of significantly greater lengths, like 30"-32". My own expereince wth 24" suggests very good accuracy, but the velocity (even with compressed charges) was a bit lacking for really reaching out there.

I have no experience with those other powders.

Greg

 

[1957pistol]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

4350 was my initial and likely what I'll start out with. I like to build up loads and swap powders for different bullet weights. Just like in any other caliber or setup, a 123gr is not going to perform the same as the 140gr w/o finding the right powder setup.
I've found in my 300wm that the smaller grain bullets (158) love RL22 up to about 600 yards. 600+ is IMR4831 with (190-210).

 

[1957pistol]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

Thanks to everyone submitting.

 

[Gogetum]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

A 26" barrel works well with H4831SC, the accuracy seems to be a little better than H4350 with my particular rifle.

 

[Danley]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

43gns of H4350 w/ 140VLD's in a 28" Kreiger. 2 weekends ago it shot a 1.013" 5 shot group at 520yds in our club's benchrest match. In last weekend's HardRock match (600 to 1000yds) it shot a 5 shot group at 1k that was 1/2 moa.

 

[2Shots]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ColoWyo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All I've ever used is H4350. I have never seen a reason to use something else. </div></div>

Agree on the H4350, no reason to look further, save yourself time. Pick 41 to 43 grains and shoot em.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gogetum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">H4831SC might be worth a try. </div></div>

I load 46.8-47.2 grains of H4831sc in Lapua brass, every 139-142 grain bullet I have tried so far shines here and gives 2800 fps +/- a few depending on which bullet is used in the 24" barrel.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For barrrels of 24" and 28" I've found 43.8gr of H4350 and the 139-142gr weight range bullets are a very good 'round number'.

I also think H4831SC could be very effective, but I also think it would probably work best in barrels of significantly greater lengths, like 30"-32". My own expereince wth 24" suggests very good accuracy, but the velocity (even with compressed charges) was a bit lacking for really reaching out there.

I have no experience with those other powders.

Greg </div></div>

Exactly in my range. 42.6gr H4350 and 139 Scenars out of a 26" Rock at 2800fps and great accuracy.

 

[TonyD]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

+1 for H4350. 42.2gr, 139gr Lapua Scenars out of a 24" Krieger HV. MV runs 2750 to 2800 depending on temp. Outstanding load with great accuracy throughout supersonic flight which gets you out well past 1000 yards.

 

[42769vette]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

42.8 grains of h4350, nosler brass (trimmed to 2.015), fed match primer, 140 amax, 2.97 oal

 

[427Cobra]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

2.015 is at least .010 too short and more like .025 too short my 427 brother.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

142 SMK with 43.5 H4350, lapua brass .015 off lands 1/2 MOA at 1000yds in a 24inch Benchmark 1-8 twist.

 

[mrbig]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

I been shooting 123 Lapua bullets in Lapua brass with 49 gs H1000,,it only clocks 2900 FPS but the ES and SD are both very low and it is very accurate..

1 inch groups at 300 yard zero are the norm more than the exception,,
head shots on the 800 yard steel targets are pretty easy,,

it is not the fastest load but it shoots easy,very low recoil and the bbl doesnt seem to heat up as fast..

Sako 75 Varmint 8-32 NF scope,,1-9 twist and it doesnt shoot the 140 gr bullets near as good as the 123`s

 

[1957pistol]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

well today is the day. I finally got everything back from bartlien. Everything is ready to go and I'm heading to the range for 0900. I've got 4350. 140 sierras and 123 sierras to fit my lapua casings. 42-43gr seems to be the magic number. Time to work some powder.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

Looking forward to the report when you get it dialed in. Sounds like you have a fun day ahead of you. Good luck. Paul.

 

[1957pistol]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

So overall a great morning. Groups are holding great with 42.2 grains of 4350. 1/2" moa at 100 yards with bipod and shoulder (no bench or locked bench) isn't bad for first day out. A little bit of pressure problems but scaling the overall length back to 2.795 from 2.800 fixed it quick. Finding out that the 260 lapua brass is very thick necked. It took a bit of back and forth alteration with the forster BR die to get it running smoothly and not crushing the case.
Next step is to break out the chrono and start working the load. Can't wait to bring this out past 1k.
I didn't get into the 123 sierra and stayed with the 140s today. I think the 140s are going to hold up better past 6-800+ than the lighter 123s so I may as well dope my IOR once with the same bullet.
I'll read more into posting pictures here and maybe I'll get up some group shots soon.

 

[1957pistol]

Re: long distance 260 rem powder

Looking now at the SAMMI specs again I see that the overall case length is 2.035 and the Lapua cases come (and were all very uniform) at 2.028. Maybe that would explain the pressure (primer buldge) at full SAMMI 2.800 since it was pushing against the l&g a bit more.? Either way, fixed now. I've been smiling so much today my face hurts..