For mainly hunting and a little bit of LR shooting, is there any reason to have a barrel longer than 22" on a 260?
What are real world speeds with the 130 VLD?
Thanks!
What are real world speeds with the 130 VLD?
Thanks!
- Thread starter XTREM HTR16
- Start date
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I recently built a 260 for hunting and informal shooting at moderate ranges. For what I use it for (out to 600 yards or so) 22" is perfect. It balances better and makes it more practical for hunting. If you were planning on doing a lot of shooting out to 1000 or so, you would probably be better off with 24 or even 26 inches.
I recently built a 260 for hunting and informal shooting at moderate ranges. For what I use it for (out to 600 yards or so) 22" is perfect. It balances better and makes it more practical for hunting. If you were planning on doing a lot of shooting out to 1000 or so, you would probably be better off with 24 or even 26 inches.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I have a 22 round and a 24 fluted and can tell very little difference in speed or accuracy. The 24 flute feels lighter but never checked the weight diff.
I have a 22 round and a 24 fluted and can tell very little difference in speed or accuracy. The 24 flute feels lighter but never checked the weight diff.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I had a 28".260 Rem. barrel and chopped it to 24". My MV with 130gr VLDS's went from 3000fps+ to 2945fps. I also have a 22" 6.5x47 Lapua rifle that shoots the same bullet at 2750fps, but with the caveat that my load for that rifle is 4 grains less H4350. With a .260 and it's larger case capacity you should be able to get 2850-2900fps.
I had a 28".260 Rem. barrel and chopped it to 24". My MV with 130gr VLDS's went from 3000fps+ to 2945fps. I also have a 22" 6.5x47 Lapua rifle that shoots the same bullet at 2750fps, but with the caveat that my load for that rifle is 4 grains less H4350. With a .260 and it's larger case capacity you should be able to get 2850-2900fps.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
Many say 24" is minimum.
Really you can figure this out on your own. The factors are the same for any cartridge. I could just as easily ask why not get a more slender barrel and go to 26"?
I have a 24" heavy palma on the build Surgeon is doing for me. My last 260 was a 26". I've heard of people using 20" barrels, with results that were fine for them.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kimber7wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For mainly hunting and a little bit of LR shooting, is there any reason to have a barrel longer than 22" on a 260?
What are real world speeds with the 130 VLD?
Thanks! </div></div>
Many say 24" is minimum.
Really you can figure this out on your own. The factors are the same for any cartridge. I could just as easily ask why not get a more slender barrel and go to 26"?
I have a 24" heavy palma on the build Surgeon is doing for me. My last 260 was a 26". I've heard of people using 20" barrels, with results that were fine for them.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kimber7wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For mainly hunting and a little bit of LR shooting, is there any reason to have a barrel longer than 22" on a 260?
What are real world speeds with the 130 VLD?
Thanks! </div></div>
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I'm going 22" on mine after much consideration....
I'm going 22" on mine after much consideration....
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I went 22" on mine and so far I love it.
I went 22" on mine and so far I love it.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
My 27 inch Obermeyer (with brake) yields about 2840 fps using 140/142 grain bullets. The edges of the primers aren't even starting to loose their radius. My test loads went quite a bit higher and still didn't show any pressure signs, but the best accuracy was at this velocity.
Sure, it would be neat to get 2950 fps or better, but I value accuracy far more than velocity, and the load I'm using doesn't go transonic until much, much further than I usually shoot (transonic around 1500 yards, maybe more). The furthest I have shot with this rifle is 1245 yards.
The way I figure it, because my rifle still has distance left before going transonic, I need more accuracy, not more velocity. When I run out of distance to shoot, then I will need more velocity.
When I get this barrel set back, I'll have an inch taken of the muzzle, and 2 inches taken off the throat. I'll still have a 24 inch tube and plenty of velocity.
My 27 inch Obermeyer (with brake) yields about 2840 fps using 140/142 grain bullets. The edges of the primers aren't even starting to loose their radius. My test loads went quite a bit higher and still didn't show any pressure signs, but the best accuracy was at this velocity.
Sure, it would be neat to get 2950 fps or better, but I value accuracy far more than velocity, and the load I'm using doesn't go transonic until much, much further than I usually shoot (transonic around 1500 yards, maybe more). The furthest I have shot with this rifle is 1245 yards.
The way I figure it, because my rifle still has distance left before going transonic, I need more accuracy, not more velocity. When I run out of distance to shoot, then I will need more velocity.
When I get this barrel set back, I'll have an inch taken of the muzzle, and 2 inches taken off the throat. I'll still have a 24 inch tube and plenty of velocity.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
For mainly hunting I'd go 22". I have a 21.5" on my 260 and being a No. 7 contour it's short and stiff. Can't argue the results either.
For mainly hunting I'd go 22". I have a 21.5" on my 260 and being a No. 7 contour it's short and stiff. Can't argue the results either.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
Quickload has you losing 54 fps with a stiff charge of RL-17/130 Berger VLD...with 22 inches of barrel against 24....same program also has you gaining 100 fps with 28" inches of barrel.
There are certain calibers... that a wet finger held in the air will give a closer estimate than Quickload will. My experience with .260 has Quickload nailing it pretty close.
Others mileage will likely vary.
Quickload has you losing 54 fps with a stiff charge of RL-17/130 Berger VLD...with 22 inches of barrel against 24....same program also has you gaining 100 fps with 28" inches of barrel.
There are certain calibers... that a wet finger held in the air will give a closer estimate than Quickload will. My experience with .260 has Quickload nailing it pretty close.
Others mileage will likely vary.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
I got my first .260 this january, I went with a benchmark 1-8 twist 24 inch barrel, I can push the 142 SMK to 2855 easily and with a manners T4 it balances very well and hits at 1000 are easy.
I would go with a longer barrel first and if it is too much you can always have it cut down later.
hope this helps.
I got my first .260 this january, I went with a benchmark 1-8 twist 24 inch barrel, I can push the 142 SMK to 2855 easily and with a manners T4 it balances very well and hits at 1000 are easy.
I would go with a longer barrel first and if it is too much you can always have it cut down later.
hope this helps.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
For some interesting numbers...
I had a 26" benchmark .260.
I got drunk one night with the lathe and woke up with it trimmed down to 20". Cutting 6" off took 58fps total off of the speed on the southwest ammunitions 139g scenar load.
I'm still working on my own loads with H4350, but they are proving to be quite a bit faster. IT shoots great at 20", is super handy, and still beats my .308.
For some interesting numbers...
I had a 26" benchmark .260.
I got drunk one night with the lathe and woke up with it trimmed down to 20". Cutting 6" off took 58fps total off of the speed on the southwest ammunitions 139g scenar load.
I'm still working on my own loads with H4350, but they are proving to be quite a bit faster. IT shoots great at 20", is super handy, and still beats my .308.
Re: 260 Rem: 22" or 24" barrel
Go with a 22" if you hand-load. Just load a little hotter if you need more velocity.
Go with a 22" if you hand-load. Just load a little hotter if you need more velocity.
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