Question for 260 Rem Shooters/Reloaders

[daved]

I have a 6.5 build planned but am still undecided on 260 Rem vs 6.5 CM. One of the dis-advantages of the 260 that's frequently mentioned in comparisons with the 6.5CM is the fact that the 260 requires seating deep within the case if used in a 308 sized mag. The exception seems to be if custom magazines or reamers are used to allow a COAL that puts the bullet at or close to the lands. I was curious as to what percentage of die-hard 260 Rem shooters have to resort to these means to get top-notch accuracy. Or put another way, how many just load to the standard COAL and still get excellent results?

Thanks for your input---

 

[SPEAK338]

I load 260 Rem for my GAP and I load out to 2.805 oal, with H4350 2750 fps 1/2 MOA is achievable.

 

[shoot4fun]

I load for an GAP 260 barrel on an AI AW. I can get desired velocity and accuracy without any mag length issues.
I also load 6.5CM for another AICS mag fed rifle and I have found no difference in loading for either one. While I prefer 6.5CM to 260, it is a personal preference and both have perceived advantages and disadvantages. Pick the one you want based on your own rational and be happy.

 

[Barney88PDC]

.260, 139 Scenars 0.010" off the lands, 0.090" FB, 2.830ish" OAL. 42.0 - 42.5 grains of H4350 in Lapua brass (add 0.4 - 0.6 for Remington) is the happy place for 140 class bullets in the 260. Drink the Kool-Aid it's great.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I use a Wyatt's Extended Magazine box on my rifle. It will cater for a round that's up to 3.1 inches long.

Remington 700 SA in 260 Rem - The Stalking Directory Photo Gallery

Current 123gr A-Max load measures 2.854 inches and is ~ 0.005 inches off the lands.
Current 140gr A-Max load measures 2.892 inches and is ~ 0.005 inches off the lands.

Regards

JCS

 

[harley_jeff]

I shoot a GAP-10 in .260. I am loading H4350 and 140 Amax bullets, mag length in a pmag. I just got back from the range and it shot half moa to 900 yards, which was the furtherest we had steel up to today. At 750, the splash makrks from 3 rounds looked like one splash. I love the .260.

 

[8nbait]

My opinion is if you want to shoot 140's go with the Creed and if you want to shoot 123's go with the 260. I have one of each and prefer the creedmoor.

 

[invst4u]

I just had a Remington 700 blueprinted with a Shilen Match 24" barrel. Phoenix Custom Rifles put it together. I shot it for the first time today. I was using IMR 4350 powder. This was my data today:

Remington 700 .260 Rem
-Shilen 24"Match Grade Barrel
-Blueprinted action

All are loaded to 2.80" COAL
Berger Match Hunter VLD: 140 grain
All have Lapua Brass
All have Fed 210 Primers
All IMR 4350 Powder

-42g (MV in FPS)
1) 2848
2) 2813
3) 2839

Group: .25" touching

Comments: Use as Zero....

With 42.5 no pressure signs only getting about 40 FPS more. For ease of loading, use 42g as load for both Surgeon and Remington.

 

[invst4u]

Here is the load on the Surgeon built .260 Remington.

Surgeon Action: 260 Remington
Krieger 26" Barrel, MTU Profile
McMillan A5

All are loaded to 2.80" COAL
Berger Match Hunter VLD: 140 grain
All have Lapua Brass
All have Fed 210 Primers
All IMR 4350 Powder

-42g (MV in FPS)
1) 2907
2) 2900
3)
Group: .25" Touching
9-25-2013.... THIS IS ZERO.....

-42.5 g
1) 2958
2) 2942
3)
Group: Approx: 1"
Starting to show extractor marks and slight primer cratering

-43.0
1) 2940
2) 2935
3) 2942
No reason to load to 43.0 MV is the same as 42.5 and only 50 FPS less than 42. Make 42.0 the zero.

43.5g
1) 2971

Definitely hot. Extractor marks are clear and primer cratering. Don't go any higher...

 

[RL15]

The main thing about seating deep is not the accuracy , but the potential speed of the bullet as you loose powder capacity.
If you know your wind it will not matter. as you can see from all the post above the 260 is an accurate cartridge.

 

[lawdog]

Harley-Jeff,

What's your load for your GAP 10? I'm running a real light 260 load in my gasser, it's accurate, just not getting nearly the velocity of some other guys running a 260 in a gas gun.

Tony

 

[Graham]

I have a 6.5 build planned but am still undecided on 260 Rem vs 6.5 CM. One of the dis-advantages of the 260 that's frequently mentioned in comparisons with the 6.5CM is the fact that the 260 requires seating deep within the case if used in a 308 sized mag. The exception seems to be if custom magazines or reamers are used to allow a COAL that puts the bullet at or close to the lands. I was curious as to what percentage of die-hard 260 Rem shooters have to resort to these means to get top-notch accuracy. Or put another way, how many just load to the standard COAL and still get excellent results?

Thanks for your input---

I load 130JLKs .005 off the lands in a .260 and they fit just fine in AICS mags: 44grs H4350, CCI large rifle in Norma brass for 2875fps in a 24" bbl.

 

[308Gunner]

I load 123 SMKs and Varget and have no trouble fitting them in the mag, its up to you as performance is pretty damn close

 

[long range newbie]

dang dude I load mine at almost 2.9 (2.897) with 140 gr bergers. Oh and I do use AI mags and they feed well no problems so far.

 

[Graham]

2.130 BTO


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[invst4u]

Question for 260 Rem Shooters/Reloaders

I am running a Surgeon 26" Krieger barrel in .260 Remington with:

Lapua Brass
140g Berger Hunting VLD
42.0g IMR 4350
MV: 2900
2.233" to ogive it is 2.855" +\- COAL..
---.025" off the lands
---That's why I measure to the ogive....
Fed 210 LR Primer

Groups: < .25" at 100 (actually a ragged hole). I stretched it to 1250 yards with no problems. Anything farther, I use the .338LM.

 

[FunkBass2008]

I load 139's just a hair above textbook COAL to fit in AICS mags and have gotten ragged hole groups.

Fond memories of my first 260 batch not fitting in my magazines.... doh!

 

[daved]

I load 139's just a hair above textbook COAL to fit in AICS mags and have gotten ragged hole groups.

Fond memories of my first 260 batch not fitting in my magazines.... doh!

I am running a Surgeon 26" Krieger barrel in .260 Remington with:

Lapua Brass
140g Berger Hunting VLD
42.0g IMR 4350
MV: 2900
2.233" to ogive it is 2.855" +\- COAL..
---.025" off the lands
---That's why I measure to the ogive....
Fed 210 LR Primer

Groups: < .25" at 100 (actually a ragged hole).

Were your rifles chambered to standard dimensions or did you specify a custom chamber to allow you to get these results with the 139 Scenars and 140 Berger? My problem is that I know what I would like to do - use hand loads in AICS mags and be able to seat 139-142 bullets to the lands if necessary for optimal accuracy - but don't know what to specify in terms of chamber dimensions to achieve this. If the 139 Scenars and 140 Bergers perform optimally in a standard chamber that would make my decision (6.5 CM vs 260 Rem) much easier - 260 all the way.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

..Current 140gr A-Max load measures 2.892 inches and is ~ 0.005 inches off the lands...

My rifle was chambered so that a dummy round measuring as above, just touched the lands.

Regards

JCS

 

[6.5guy]

I built a 260 using a Stevens 200 short action that is a center feed. I put a Mcgowen 26" barrel with a 8" twist and can shoot the 140 bergers at 2.935 COAL and they fit in the magazine no problem at all. It is a build for the not so rich and shoots very well for me. I shoot rock chucks all day long at 500-700 yards with it. Some people seem to think they need a GAP rifle or an AICS custom that costs several thousand dollars to have a rifle that shoots well. I am here to tell you that is not the case at all.

Not saying these rifles don't have their place and if I could afford one I might buy one. My poor mans 260 is amazing and has given me countless hours of fun. Something to think about maybe. Here she is: