Would you be happy with this? Leave it alone? .260 140g hunting VLD

[KPK]

Have had my rifle for about 6 months and finally doing something with it!

.260 Rem
Stiller Tac30 A/W
Bartlein 1:8
McMillan HTG
Timney trigger
Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40 TMR

Load
140 hunting vld
43g of H4350
BR-2 primers
2.88" .02 jump
2775 fps

This was the best load I came up with yesterday at 100 yds:

This is today with the same load at 200 yds, the left hole was my fault...I knew it when I pulled the trigger:

Here's the rifle:


What do y'all think? Roll with it or keep playing?

 

[ashiha]

Keep trying new things. Look into OCW.

OCW Overview - Dan Newberry's OCW Load Development System

 

[Bluejazz]

If you are shooting 1/2 MOA @200 yards, than I say stretch it out, and see what you got.
Don't spend forever at 1-200 yards doing load work.

 

[M.rolen]

If you are shooting 1/2 MOA @200 yards, than I say stretch it out, and see what you got.
Don't spend forever at 1-200 yards doing load work.

+1

 

[ashiha]

If you are shooting 1/2 MOA @200 yards, than I say stretch it out, and see what you got.
Don't spend forever at 1-200 yards doing load work.

You make it seem boring and mundane. I personally enjoy it since it gives me something to do at home in between visits to the range.

 

[Bluejazz]

Not boring or mundane. I enjoy doing load work, but don't get bogged down in it. At some point it seems like tinkeritis, and I would rather see what my skill and the rifle are capable of at farther distances. The difference in 1/2-3/8 MOA is not as important to me as maybe others.
Don't get me wrong, I love accuracy, but at some point you reach diminishing returns for the amount of effort, and I enjoy shooting more than sqeezing out the last little bit of accuracy.

 

[KPK]

Thanks all. I'm going to run it out the first chance I get.

This shooting was in my front yard down the road lol. I think I may be able to get to 300 if I keep backing out on the side of my yard and down the driveway lol.

This was also off of a bipod, folding card table, and jacket under the butt.

Would you almost call that 1/4 moa?

 

[KPK]

I can see that bluejazz...

 

[Bluejazz]

KPK
Usually what I do is find a good load that is 1/2 MOA or better at 300 yards in calm wind conditions, and then run with it.
Good luck.

 

[Ring]

is that a hunting load?... or your target load?

 

[KPK]

Thanks Bluejazz. I'll shoot it at 300 an report back.

Ring, trying for both lol.

 

[bjay]

I would leave it alone n..start d fun of shooting

 

[Pusher591]

That's good, get out there and enjoy it, get some kills

 

[Andy27AL]

Good for now, you could always come back in the future and put in more work.

 

[JGorski]

Thanks Bluejazz. I'll shoot it at 300 an report back.

Ring, trying for both lol.

YES! If you can get your rifle to shoot under 1/2moa [MENTION=89035]300[/MENTION]yds. you're doing pretty well. Personally for my 6 Creedmoor I like to get anything under an inch at that range, but I'm a fussy one.

 

[leadbullet]

You can burn up a barrel looking for the perfect load, you got a pretty damn good nor there already, loads a bunch and enjoy the fruit of your labor with some good ammo and practice that will build your confidence in your gear and that's worth a 1/4 MOA right there.
Cheers

 

[KPK]

Went out and did some shooting. It's running about 2710fps. How much is max 4350 with 140 vlds? I shot 44g without pressure signs, but wasn't that accurate. Thinking about trying again and messing with seating depth.

Anyone went up to 45g?

 

[LV 426]

Get a 8.5-25×50 Leopold and see what happens..... 1/4"

 

[glockdan78]

Are you shooting of a front and rear bag? I feel the horizontal is usually user input. My surgeons shoot 1/4 moa for me when front and rear bags are used but I open up to around 1/2 moa when a bipod is used with a rear bag.....and the spread is always horizontal. Also, if you are having no pressure signs, try to hit the 2800 FPS area. That is the magic spot for many.

 

[bas402]

Actually in your groups the horizonal is all you on the trigger. I say leave it alone stretch it out to 500 and see how it performs, get some more rounds down the pipe and get your fundamentals down. By the way the sweet spot is what YOUR rifle likes so don't sweat it,consistent 3/4 min will win all day long

 

[BoilerUP]

Once I get consistent half minute, I load up a bunch and go shoot. If it verifies, rock it until it doesn't.

I'm lazy with limited time, so "good enough" works for me as I don't see much point in investing multiple trips to shave a tenth of an inch.

 

[weshowe]

Gents,

Personally, I'd say he's there. Load and start shooting. Have a ball. If accuracy drops off you can start again or re-barrel...

Wes

 

[KPK]

Thanks for all the info guys! My problem is speed. 2710 seems super slow, but can't imagine it hurting that much. I'd like to be at 2800.

Am I over analyzing? Took 30.25 Moa to get to 1k the other day. Wind was blowing 30 so not sure on accuracy. Shooting next to a friend that was shootin a 7mm saum with 180s and getting 6" group lol.

 

[Sniper260]

Shooting the 140's I hope you have the barrel chambered in 260 tactical... thats what I have. It is perfect for those heavy bullets... my groups are all on top of each other bug hole....

If you dont have the 260 tac chamber you need to shoot 130s or 120s

 

[Sniper260]

And to answer the question my 260 tac runs the 140 bergers with 41-42.5 grs of 4350.... I didnt have pressure signs either but I javent looked to a node that high either...

 

[KPK]

What kind of speed Ducks? It is the tactical. That's exactly what my smith said.

Hit the lands at about 2.92

 

[KPK]

I've loaded 44g w/pressure but group wasn't as good.

Since the original post have put on a 5.5-22 NXS and Jewell trigger as well.

 

[BoilerUP]

That a 26" barrel?

If H4350 isn't giving you what you want, try H4831SC or RL17...

 

[KPK]

It's a 24". Figured 4831 would be slower. I have some 4831 I could try. Would u consider 2700 fast enough?

 

[Ring]

Yes... 2700-2750 is normal.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[TwentyFiveTwenty]

I also love load development so I don't consider it wasted time.

I run Berger Match 140s in my Savage 260 "TR" with a normal chamber (with a bit too much throat) using 4831SC. It shoots 1/2 MOA at its worst, weather permitting. It's in the high 2500s, which is slower than lots of loads but the ES is about 30 and the targets don't lie. It will hit stuff pretty far out there. I like it.

This is the 4-shot target that sealed the deal on the load:

 

[BoilerUP]

Would you be happy with this? Leave it alone? .260 140g hunting VLD

I have a 20" 260 with a long freebore (.116"), and I get 2700fps with 43.0gr H4350 and a 140gr Hornady HPBT...loaded shortish at 2.81".

As such, I would expect more than 2700fps from a 24" barrel with the same load.

But 2700fps still puts a whoopin a 308, so if its accurate, I'd run with it.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Whats the ES and SD for 5 rounds? A nice group at 200 yards doesn't mean a thing if it has a 60fps ES.

 

[tomcfc11]

I tend to not spend too much time once I find a group in your range. Looks good to me. I would shoot this load for a while and then maybe come back to it in the next season.

 

[my human host]

Take it out to 500 or 600 yds on a calm day and see what it does.

I recently burned a box of 140 grain vld's in my 6.5 Creed chasing my tail at 100 and 200 yds. Was beginning to wonder if switching from the 130's was a good idea after all. Finally said f@ck it and tested it at 550. After 3 or 4 shots fine tuning my poi, I fired an 1 9/16" five shot group. Should kill a coyote.

 

[Dan Newberry]

I think if you'll give 38.0 to 38.2 grains of Varget or IMR 4064 either one behind the 140's you'll be very pleased...

Dan

 

[glockdan78]

I posted this one over I the 260 load post in the reloading forum. My sweet spot was 142s with 42.0 of h4350 @ 2805fps. Had it locked into some bags. I have a .060 freebore and a 8 twist 26" kreiger.