I'm going to have a .260 Rem built for long range precision shooting. Is there a preferred barrel length that will get the most velocity with best accuracy?
- Thread starter ShtrRdy
- Start date
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
To get the most FPS you need a long barrel, to get the best accuracy.................there is a lot of debate on that, some rounds shoot itty bitty groups with 18 to 30 inch barrels, Lowlight has a 18.5 inch barreled 260 and it shoots great, most will have something in the 24-27 inch range, mine and most of my shooting buddies have 26 inchish barrels on our 260's, remember though if you want 6.5-284 speeds you will get 6.5-284 barrel life, my barrel went south at 3400 rounds, I shot 139Scenars 140Amax 142smk all around 2810.
To get the most FPS you need a long barrel, to get the best accuracy.................there is a lot of debate on that, some rounds shoot itty bitty groups with 18 to 30 inch barrels, Lowlight has a 18.5 inch barreled 260 and it shoots great, most will have something in the 24-27 inch range, mine and most of my shooting buddies have 26 inchish barrels on our 260's, remember though if you want 6.5-284 speeds you will get 6.5-284 barrel life, my barrel went south at 3400 rounds, I shot 139Scenars 140Amax 142smk all around 2810.
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
23" Bartlein, moderate-high (but not HOT) charge of H4350 and 140gr Hornady = 2750fps.
260 needs a long barrel a lot more than a 308 does.
Accuracy will not be significantly different because of barrel length alone. Plenty of 30" tack drivers out there. Plenty of 16" ones too.
23" Bartlein, moderate-high (but not HOT) charge of H4350 and 140gr Hornady = 2750fps.
260 needs a long barrel a lot more than a 308 does.
Accuracy will not be significantly different because of barrel length alone. Plenty of 30" tack drivers out there. Plenty of 16" ones too.
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
My 22" GAP is my favorite of many .260s. I have a new 24" coming soon, but it may have an uphill battle after the success I've had with 22".
I get 2975fps out of a 123 scenar in the 22" gun. Haven't even bothered loading 139s yet.
My 22" GAP is my favorite of many .260s. I have a new 24" coming soon, but it may have an uphill battle after the success I've had with 22".
I get 2975fps out of a 123 scenar in the 22" gun. Haven't even bothered loading 139s yet.
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
We shoot a couple 15" barreled guns and a couple 28" guns at our 1000 yard matches. The shorter barreled guns really aren't that much less accurate but the longer barreled rifles are a lot flatter shooting and a lot easier to shoot on the smaller targets which accounts for the higher scores with them.
I'd say a 22"-26" will give you good results. Good balance between barrel length, velocity and accuracy. The shorter barrels will shoot extremely well but with longer flight time Mother Nature will be more of a factor especially if you are shooting smaller targets at the longer distances.
[Edit]
I did some quick calculations based on the FPS loss that was posted below as you use a shorter barrel. 25fps is almost exactly what we lose shooting exactly the same load in our 15" LR 260 pistols compared to our 28" 260 rifles. 2820fps in the rifles with 42.5 H4350 with a Hornady 140BTHP match compared to 2525fps in the pistols. Using that number it's pretty easy to see what you're velocity will be with comparable loads with whatever length barrel you want to shoot.
Topstrap
We shoot a couple 15" barreled guns and a couple 28" guns at our 1000 yard matches. The shorter barreled guns really aren't that much less accurate but the longer barreled rifles are a lot flatter shooting and a lot easier to shoot on the smaller targets which accounts for the higher scores with them.
I'd say a 22"-26" will give you good results. Good balance between barrel length, velocity and accuracy. The shorter barrels will shoot extremely well but with longer flight time Mother Nature will be more of a factor especially if you are shooting smaller targets at the longer distances.
[Edit]
I did some quick calculations based on the FPS loss that was posted below as you use a shorter barrel. 25fps is almost exactly what we lose shooting exactly the same load in our 15" LR 260 pistols compared to our 28" 260 rifles. 2820fps in the rifles with 42.5 H4350 with a Hornady 140BTHP match compared to 2525fps in the pistols. Using that number it's pretty easy to see what you're velocity will be with comparable loads with whatever length barrel you want to shoot.
Topstrap
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
I'm sure it depends on the intended use, shooter, action and target load, barrel profile and more. Oh and accuracy goal: IE hitting a 30" plate at 400 yards or a 10" gong at 600 yards, super long range paper punching with measurable groups to 1000 yards anyone?
Recent article in "Handloader" (I'm pretty sure) demonstrated that each inch is worth ~25fps. The shorter, the more is lost. My point is: if your accuracy node is found at a certain velocity+barrel resonance, shorter barrels will take more powder to get there, which from my studies here, else where and the scolding I took from my gun smith, is harder on barrels and overall less consistent (sort of).
My target load is ~140grs projectiles for +600 yards so...
The new barrel is a Pac-Nor 6.5 'prefit' .260, 28" which will give ~26 of rifled barrel. Target weight, 1/8 twist, 3L, 6 flutes (experiment).
It's in the box ready to install.
If You Care:
The existing barrel is factory 24" lawyer proof, 243 1/10 twist. Very poor internal finish, even though I treated it to all the Tubbs I thought prudent and all the lapping I could stand. Doesn't shoot anything worth a diddle. I tried every factory load I could find and handloads that would boggle the best spreadsheet boffin.
It's gonna be a while before I get the .260 rifle together but as a comparison, my 300WSM from same manufacturer, same factory barrel profile and length, got the Pac-Nor treatment, except Sendoro profile. With the longer barrel, the pressures increased and I'm sure the velocity. Accuracy definitely improved but that is lots of other factors, length is just one, quality is another. Target for the 300WSM is ++600.
Acknowledging that length is only one factor I changed, longer works for me. Factory copper loads, 5 shots gave me 1 shot 1 inch high on a clean cold bore, 3 inside 1/2 inch and one I shanked left 1/2 outside the other 3. I'm very excited to get some load development on this rifle. About the time I get it worked out I should have the .260 finished.
Remaining tasks for the new .260: all
Strip the existing rifle.
Get the action and new barrel to the gun smith.
Channel the new stock for the new barrel, fully floated.
Bed the action into the new stock.
Check 'balance' and possible counter weight the stock.
Install butt pad.
'Sand in' a couple of flaws in the walnut.
Any checkering or laser images.
Finish the stock.
Assemble the completed rifle.
Pray.
Work on that dammed recoil anticipation flinch and...
Shoot it!
I'm sure it depends on the intended use, shooter, action and target load, barrel profile and more. Oh and accuracy goal: IE hitting a 30" plate at 400 yards or a 10" gong at 600 yards, super long range paper punching with measurable groups to 1000 yards anyone?
Recent article in "Handloader" (I'm pretty sure) demonstrated that each inch is worth ~25fps. The shorter, the more is lost. My point is: if your accuracy node is found at a certain velocity+barrel resonance, shorter barrels will take more powder to get there, which from my studies here, else where and the scolding I took from my gun smith, is harder on barrels and overall less consistent (sort of).
My target load is ~140grs projectiles for +600 yards so...
The new barrel is a Pac-Nor 6.5 'prefit' .260, 28" which will give ~26 of rifled barrel. Target weight, 1/8 twist, 3L, 6 flutes (experiment).
It's in the box ready to install.
If You Care:
The existing barrel is factory 24" lawyer proof, 243 1/10 twist. Very poor internal finish, even though I treated it to all the Tubbs I thought prudent and all the lapping I could stand. Doesn't shoot anything worth a diddle. I tried every factory load I could find and handloads that would boggle the best spreadsheet boffin.
It's gonna be a while before I get the .260 rifle together but as a comparison, my 300WSM from same manufacturer, same factory barrel profile and length, got the Pac-Nor treatment, except Sendoro profile. With the longer barrel, the pressures increased and I'm sure the velocity. Accuracy definitely improved but that is lots of other factors, length is just one, quality is another. Target for the 300WSM is ++600.
Acknowledging that length is only one factor I changed, longer works for me. Factory copper loads, 5 shots gave me 1 shot 1 inch high on a clean cold bore, 3 inside 1/2 inch and one I shanked left 1/2 outside the other 3. I'm very excited to get some load development on this rifle. About the time I get it worked out I should have the .260 finished.
Remaining tasks for the new .260: all
Strip the existing rifle.
Get the action and new barrel to the gun smith.
Channel the new stock for the new barrel, fully floated.
Bed the action into the new stock.
Check 'balance' and possible counter weight the stock.
Install butt pad.
'Sand in' a couple of flaws in the walnut.
Any checkering or laser images.
Finish the stock.
Assemble the completed rifle.
Pray.
Work on that dammed recoil anticipation flinch and...
Shoot it!
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
I have a 24 incher and I wouldn't change a thing. It pushes the 142SMK at 2850FPS and so far hits at 1250 yds are pretty easy and so is carrying the damn thing.
hope this helps.
I have a 24 incher and I wouldn't change a thing. It pushes the 142SMK at 2850FPS and so far hits at 1250 yds are pretty easy and so is carrying the damn thing.
hope this helps.
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
Thanks for the info! I'm going to give 25.5" a try with a heavy varmint barrel. Dropped off my action and barrel with the gunsmith. He said it'll be 4-6 weeks before he can get it done. Are all the quality barrel installers this backed up?
Thanks for the info! I'm going to give 25.5" a try with a heavy varmint barrel. Dropped off my action and barrel with the gunsmith. He said it'll be 4-6 weeks before he can get it done. Are all the quality barrel installers this backed up?
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
Not if you have a Savage.
Topstrap
Not if you have a Savage.
Topstrap
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
I like a 24 in a .260
I like a 24 in a .260
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
For a walkaround gun, I think 24" is a good choice.
For LR target shooting off support, I want (and have) a 28" barrel; this 28" barrel. While it will extend range by enhancing velocity, the extra length's real value is as a bore preservation strategy. Mine was essentially perfect for 1000yd F Open Class; several years worth, twice a month.
Target guns are going to be fired repeatedly, very repeatedly, and at a firing cadence that is unfriendly toward bore throats. Meanwhile, LR demands at least some moderate effort to keep the velocities up there somewhat.
The chief benefit of the extra length is to achieve that velocity without needing to stoke up the furnace to peak pressures and temps. Less huff-n-puff can equate to a longer bore life.
My 2003 28" L-W .260 barrel is still useable. I don't run it very often these days because I don't get out beyond 250yd anymore, and.260 would be overkill. So I replaced it with a .30BR. But it's still got a lot of life left in it; and the plan is to swap out my Savage Predator Hunter's 24" barrel with it.
Greg
For a walkaround gun, I think 24" is a good choice.
For LR target shooting off support, I want (and have) a 28" barrel; this 28" barrel. While it will extend range by enhancing velocity, the extra length's real value is as a bore preservation strategy. Mine was essentially perfect for 1000yd F Open Class; several years worth, twice a month.
Target guns are going to be fired repeatedly, very repeatedly, and at a firing cadence that is unfriendly toward bore throats. Meanwhile, LR demands at least some moderate effort to keep the velocities up there somewhat.
The chief benefit of the extra length is to achieve that velocity without needing to stoke up the furnace to peak pressures and temps. Less huff-n-puff can equate to a longer bore life.
My 2003 28" L-W .260 barrel is still useable. I don't run it very often these days because I don't get out beyond 250yd anymore, and.260 would be overkill. So I replaced it with a .30BR. But it's still got a lot of life left in it; and the plan is to swap out my Savage Predator Hunter's 24" barrel with it.
Greg
Re: Optimum Barrel Length for the .260 Remington
I went with a 28" barrel from Lothar Walther, but anything between 24" and 29" will give you the most for that cartridge. .260 and the AI version both. Whatever you go with, have fun! That's why we got into this sport to begin with.
I went with a 28" barrel from Lothar Walther, but anything between 24" and 29" will give you the most for that cartridge. .260 and the AI version both. Whatever you go with, have fun! That's why we got into this sport to begin with.
