Load Development for 260 Remington

[DaveT]

Just checking to see if my current load development data status (ongoing) is anywhere near close to anyone elses (or any known 'standards' if there is such a thing in reloading!)

I normally favour Vihtavouri powders as being easier to get hold of and generally cheaper ... at least around where I live.

So loads to date using teh new Lapua 260 brass and 139g Scenars set at just shy of 2.82 COL (Head to tip average ... I use Hornady Lock & Load Comparator measures on the Ogive.)

Barrel is 26'' Krieger 1:8 twist on a Surgeon action.

I will be chronographing these ASAP but hoping that I am up around 2800 FPS.

1) N560 at 44.3 / 44.5 grains seems very accurate and absolutely NO pressure indications to date.... dependant upon Chrono results I may even go a little further with this as Quickload indicates modest pressures at this load.

2) H4350 at 42.5grains.....again very accurate .....over book max but seemingly well under what a lot of UK & US shooter advocate (up around 43.5!) I think that 42.5 is likely to be the MAX in my rifle as 43.7 trials gave me one sticky bolt lift (rest OK) and no greater accuracy whilst 43.0 was also accurate and I may fallback to this level.

3) RL 17 at 41.3g.... accurate / no pressures evident... again over book max but lower than some US shooters are apparently using.

I would be grateful for any comparisons that might be out there although I know that direct 'Read-across' from rifle to rifle is not valid and taht it is dangerous to simply 'adopt' someone elses loads.

I might also try the 123g Scenars to see how they perform.

Cheers

Dave Thain

[Gun Pimp]

Dave,

I use 123gn Scenars in mine with Vit N550 powder - very accurate.

Chris Parkin owns one of - if not - THE most accurate 260s I know - winning the Egg Shoot and Fly Shoot in 2010.

He did an article for Target Shooter (www.targetshooteronline.com) on load development for this cartridge about 12 months ago. I think Chris prefers the 139gn Scenar.

His rifle is nothing special - a Remmy action rebarrelled by Valkyrie Rifles.

Vince

[DaveT]

Vince

Dave at Valkyrie built my current 260 ...its on his website showing the metal duracoated to match the stock and its a Beauty!

He also did one for my son (laser-beam accurate!) and is in the process of doing me a long-barreled version.... I plan to use the first one for stalking when the new one is ready.

Just wondering what made you select the 123g over the 139g?....... How are the lighter bullets at longer range vs the 139g?

I guess what I am really after is ensuring that I am not wildly adrift of typical loadings .... accepting that each rifle is a law unto itself!

Cheers

Dave

[Alpha1]

His rifle is nothing special - a Remmy action rebarrelled by Valkyrie Rifles.

Just how much would this nothing special cost to build action barrel bedding stock etc as a matter of interest.

[Gun Pimp]

Vince



Just wondering what made you select the 123g over the 139g?....... How are the lighter bullets at longer range vs the 139g?



Dave

Dave,

I tend to use mine out to 600 yds and push the 123s at 3000fps - super accurate for tactical comps. I even like the 108s - really fast and accurate. I should try the 139s but the 123s and 108s are doing everything I need.

Vince

[Alpha1]

Just how much would this nothing special cost to build action barrel bedding stock etc as a matter of interest.

Well how much

[Gun Pimp]

Just how much would this nothing special cost to build action barrel bedding stock etc as a matter of interest.

Well how much

Sorry Alpha1 - didn't mean to ignore this question.

Chris's rifle is based on a s/h Remmy action (value £300?) which was re-barelled (say £600) Jewel trigger (say £200 - but not essential to accuracy) laminate stock (£350 ish) which he bedded himself (£150 - £250 for professional job). Chris tarted it up with a Duracoat finish, tactical bolt-knob etc. but again, not adding to accuracy. You can read all about it in a past edition of Target Shooter.

Laurie Holland is currently doing a project with an 'out of the box' 223 Remmy for Target Shooter. Starting with a std. rifle and having Valkyrie carry out a 'stage 1' tune, then testing to evaluate the improvement. Now it's off to Armalon for a new barrel after which Laurie will again test it. Various cosmetic changes will also be made (new bolt knob etc) and we will end up with a full-house tactical rig. Readers can judge for themselves the value of each stage.

Vince

[DaveT]

Vince



Just wondering what made you select the 123g over the 139g?....... How are the lighter bullets at longer range vs the 139g?



Dave

Dave,

I tend to use mine out to 600 yds and push the 123s at 3000fps - super accurate for tactical comps. I even like the 108s - really fast and accurate. I should try the 139s but the 123s and 108s are doing everything I need.

Vince

Vince

Last question on this one I promise!....... I chose 139g Scenars in my Rem 260 because I want this as my 1000 yard gun sitting in the 'middle' of my collection of 308 Win for up to 800 yards and 338 Lap Mag for longer than 1000 yards. My thinking being that the heavier 139g might be better re wind deflection than a 123g Scenar that far out......... appreciate your take on 123g scenars at 1000 line?

[Gun Pimp]

When a lot of us shot the 6.5-284 and 6.5x55 Imp. in 1000 yard benchrest, most shot the 139/140gn bullet - but, we were driving them harder than you will with a 260Rem. We also tried the 123gn - they go really fast and they work at 1000 yards.

Try both and see which works best for you - the same chamber will handle both.

Vince

[tackb]

I've settled on 47g of N560 under a 140 Amax (non moly) with a br primer seated to max mag length in my badger kit . Usual rules , work up to it in your rifle etc