.260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Das Capitolin

Das Capitolin

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May 14, 2011
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#1
I've recently purchased a Savage Model 11 Long Range Hunter in .260 Remington. This bolt-action rifle has a 26" barrel with 1:8" twist rate, and adjustable muzzlebrake (details at http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LONGRANGEHUNTER). I will be loading for this rifle, which I plan to shoot in long-range varmint matches (600yds), but also plan to shoot 1000 yard targets. A SWFA SuperSniper HD 4-16 will be attached, with proper MOA base. So my questions are:

Brass: I can purchase 200 cases of Lupua .260 brass for the same price as 400 cases by Remington. Which is the better value?
Bullet: 6.5mm bullets come in all shapes and sizes. What's the most ideal bullet for long-range shooting with this configuration?
Powder: What's the most favored powder for this purpose/caliber?

Your feedback and opinions are appreciated.
 
#2
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Brass: I'm cheap, I use Win 7-08, a single pass thru a Forster 260 FL die makes it 260 brass, I leave 50% or more of my brass on the ground at a match, Win 7-08 at .43 cents each works just fine and no donuts
Bullets: after shooting 1700 139 Scenars I have switched to 140 Amax
Powder: H4350
Primers: CCI, BR2 or 200, there is no difference according to my target and chronograph

 
#4
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I can buy new Remington brass for $.49 each, and I'm working with a Lee single-stage press so I don't know what parts I'd need to form from 7-08.
 
#6
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"I use Win 7-08, a single pass thru a Forster 260 FL die makes it 260 brass" </div></div>

That works for me too.
I've been shooting 130 VLD's with H4350.
 
#7
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

If your going to pick up all your brass and take care of it you could invest in Lapua. Cause like 427 said, most of us leave ours laying on the ground during run and gun. (then Boltripper picks it up later that evening) So we don't spend the extra dough on brass.

Personally I run Remington brass, 142 grn Sierra MatchKings, 43.0 Gr of h4350
And light it with a BR2.

I'm starting to play around with 130gr Normas and 130 Gr Bergers
Still in test phase though.

If you do buy Lapua, start with a low powder charge compared to everyone else because the internal capacity of the Lapua will be lower because the brass is thicker than standard brass most use.

Buy a good set of bushing sizer dies so you don't have excessive neck tension
.
 
#8
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

The 2-time state F-class champ told me that a lot of people want to use the 140gr class bullets in .260 and that they're really too big for the .260. He used 130 VLDs I think and suggested I try them.

Having said that, I found a smokin' deal on 142SMKs (like $0.15 each) and have loaded up an OCW test with Varget. I have lots of Varget on-hand, and this combo won the national championship.

140AMAX is the ticket for MANY in this caliber. When I run out of the 142SMKs, I'll get the 140 AMAX - and maybe the 123 as well.
 
#9
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Great information! I have a Christensen Arms 260 enroute and I look FWD to working up some good loads. This is a great place to start!
 
#11
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I run Norma brass, 42.2g of H4350, BR2s, and Berger 140BTLRs. Norma is expensive but has treated me well. Donuts typically form after 5-6 firings. Ut thanks to 427Cobra I have a cutter that knocks them out. Many use the amaxs scenars, SMKs, and Bergers. I haven't tried the amaxs but the 139 scenars shot in the .3s, the SMKs in .2s, and the Bergers in the .1. I went with the bergers. They are awesome at 600 and beyond.

At 670 yards my dope is 14moa in a 24" barrel with the load listed above. Yeah it's pretty flat shooting.
 
#13
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Thanks guys!

Plenty of people recommend H4350 for this caliber, but I also heard more than a few suggest Varget. Since H4350 loads up to 43gr and Varget up to 38gr, clearly Varget is hotter. Anyone with experience testing between the two, or why I should not use Varget?

I'm starting with the Hornady A-Max bullets in 140gr, since the Berger's cost almost $13 more per 100.

I tried getting Wolf primers, but no such luck finding them in stock. I'll probably shop locally for my first 1K.
 
#14
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Berger vs. Amax. If it shoots it shoots. I chose the bergers because they did the best for my rifle. But I will say you generally get what you pay for. I'm not knocking the Amaxes because I haven't tried them. I would like to try them but I doubt they will do better for me. Just don't rule out the bergers because of $13. I'd still shoot them if they were $26 more.

You will get better velocity with h4350 than Varget. I agree that Varget is hotter, but only in temperature. That's is exactly what I DON'T want in my .260....burning up the throat. I'd stick with h4350 it's a proven winner for the .260.
 
#15
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

39.0gr Varget shoots well in my 260 (26" 8-twist Criterion) with the 123 A-Max at 2890fps...but 48.0gr 4831SC gives me 3000fps and slightly better accuracy.

I need to buy some H4350 and get it and RL-17 to the range & through the chrony...
 
#16
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Hello! I have an old(1998) left hand factory Savage tactical in 260 Rem. It shoots the 139 Lapua very well with BR2s. lighting 42.2gr. of VV550 in Lapua brass.. We have a match where we shoot 5 rounds from 2,3,4,5 and 600 yds. If I do my part it keeps up with the F/TR guns and most of the custom guns. I'm shooting through a 24 in. tube and running about 2915 fps. I can get 4 or 5 grains more powder in Remington brass.Don't care for Nosler brass, Lapua is better and cheaper but the Remington works good.
 
#17
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Nosler 7-08 brass
Berger 130 vld
wolf lr primer
H4350 at 45.9 gr
2980 fps out of a 22.5" bartlein barrel (8 twist)
es-13 sd-5 the last time I tested it across the chrono
These specs were at 70 degrees and BP of 29.57
I have shot lapua, amax, berger out of this rifle and it liked the bergers.
Also I have not seen any signs of pressure on the brass or primer.
This load is safe in my rifle, if you chose to try it work your way up to this charge.
 
#19
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A SWFA SuperSniper HD 4-16 will be attached, with proper MOA base. </div></div>

When did you get this new scope?
 
#20
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would love to know why the 140 class is too big for the 260,
and where did you get those match kings for .15 cents? </div></div>

1. IDK exactly why, that's just what he said. And he won the F-class state championship 2 years in a row with a .260. I surmise that it has something to do with .260Rem having such a short throat and long bullets having to be seated so deeply in the case that they take up lots of case capacity. I picked up a box of regular 140SMK and they are jammed .045" into the lands at a COAL of 2.8" which is NUTS. Obviously this bullet wasn't made for .260REM. But going to a VLD type, like the 140 AMAX or 142SMK, I can seat at least 2.86" or more before contacting the lands. This is because of the ogive location on the 140SMK, but really illustrated to me how short the throat on the .260 really is.

2. I got them loose packed on arfcom from a member. The guy said they were 140SMK, but when I got them, they were actually the 142SMK which is way longer and pointier like a VLD type. And they weigh 142gr also. I had been planning on stocking up on 140AMAX, but these were so cheap I just had to get them.
 
#21
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I have a same twist in my 260 as the OP. Here is my prescription:

260 Rem
Remington Cases (sorted by weight, neck thickness and neck/case concentricity)
140 gr. A-Max or 140 gr. Sierra Match Kings (you pick 'em - both shoot sub 0.25 MOA)
46.0 gr. H4831sc
CCI BR or Fed 210m primers
OAL - I'm staying 0.010" off the lands.

Lastly, I neck size using Redding bushings in their Benchrest dies. I apply about 0.002 to 0.003" springback tension.
 
#22
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchinOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> When did you get this new scope? </div></div>Refer to this thread .

Since I'll likely shoot 140gr bullets more than any other, I'm curious if there's an advantage to one powder (such as H4350) over another (Varget). Perhaps one works well to a certain distance before the other pays dividends.
 
#23
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

i tried remington brass and only go a couple firings before losing primer pockets.

i switched to nosler and have 7 plus firings and still ticking. out of 200 i think ive lost 2 to primer pockets. my load is not a hot load. i would hae switched to lapua but there brass was not out yet and now i probably wont switch from nosler.

as far as bullets i can never get berger vlds to shoot straight in my 2 260s. however they both like the 140 amax
 
#24
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I've used both Nosler and Rem brass and have not notice any major diffeences yet between them. The Nosler necks are slightly more uniformly concentric than Remington but not by much. I sort primarily by concentricity and if I am careful enough the Remington performs just as good as the Nosler. I have not had the primer pocket troubles that others report here, but I suppose anyone can get a bad batch from time to time. I am on my 5th firing on each brand. I have not tried Lapua 260 yet but just might. So far, for my money the Remington brass is a better value than Nosler.
 
#25
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I have a TRG 260 with 26", 1:8 tube. I've tried both Remington and Lapua brass. The Remington is fine for load development and fun shooting, but the Lapua is a bit more accurate, holds up better and produces a little more velocity. It's worth the extra cash if you are a serious shooter, IMO.

I have had good luck with both H4350 and H4831/H4831sc with a slight preference for the 4831. In case you're wondering, H4831 and H4831sc produce identical results. Most people prefer the sc since it meters a little better, but if you can't find sc, regular H4831 performs just as well.

139 Scenars, 140 Berger VLDs and 142 SMKs have all shot extremely well in my rifle. Berger 140 LRs, not so much. Haven't tried the 140 Amax yet.
 
#26
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Great feedback guys, thank you! In the next few days I'll be building my first .260 precision rounds. I've got plenty of Varget on hand, so I'll chrono with that first and see what I get for accuracy from the three buillets on hand. Once I know how the Varget performs, I'll see about a batch made from H4350 for comparison.
 
#27
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I get basically 2900fps with 39.0gr Varget and the 123gr A-Max...no pressure signs so it can probably be bumped up a little, and accuracy has been pretty good.
 
#28
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Hodgdon recommends a max charge of 36gr Varget for 140gr bullets and 37.5gr for 125gr bullets, but I can see 39gr being a safe max charge for 123gr bullets. Hodgdon, like everyone else, is lawyered up and publishes safe-for-all data.
 
#29
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I'm using 142gr SMK's in my 26" Barreled rifle. It seems to prefer H4350, Remington 260 brass, and CCI BR2 primers. I'm getting 3 reloads on the Rem brass then the primer pockets start to open up. I have also gotten good groups from H4831sc, but have not done any serious testing with it, nor have I used it in competition.

I can't seem to get any of the Berger bullets to group well and have tried all kinds of seating depths and powder variations.

In terms of accuracy I find the 123gr Sceenars to be the most accurate bullet in both of my .260 rifles out to 600 yards. However, I prefer the 142's for long distance, and the 142's are what I use for match shooting.
 
#30
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

140 Amax 41.5 grains of 4350 FMG210 promers shooting 5 shot groups .367 and 3 shot groups .213 when i go to 42 or greater it still shotts under .4 but that 41.5 it really likes. 2.829 OAL

142 SMKs 43 grains 4350 FMG210 primers 2.829 OAL .3s

24inch barrel
 
#31
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

My savage 10FCP with a 28" criterian barrel shoots:
140gr Amax
43.4gr 4350
Rem brass
fed 210 primers
.010 off the lands
Avg vel 2890

260complete3a.jpg


Powder- I didnt start having ANY preasure signs until 44.2gr of 4350 but the closest accuracy node was at 43.4 gr. While testing for preasure signs I shot a .324 group @ 200 yards. I olso had another accuracy node around 40 grains but havent played with it after finding the 43.4 node.

This is the 1st 18 rounds fired through the rifle.
P1040144.jpg


Bullets - I was told to try the Hornady 140gr MATCH but the Amax's are shooting so good I dont see a reason to start testing other loads and use up barrel life.

Brass- When I 1st built the rifle I thought" I'll try Rem brass just to see how it shoots. If it sucks I'll upgrade." But after shooting a .324 group at 200 yards I decided rem brass would be just fine. I have 200 round and Ive fired 409 rounds through the rifle so far. Basicaly i'vs fired all 200 rounds twice and a couple of them 3 times with no problems. I planned to aneal them after the 3rd reload. I'm also using the redding neck sizer with the bushing and thats all. I have a body die also in case the brass starts getting tight but it hasnt happened yet.

I have shot several groups at 600 yards around 2"-4" and have one 1000yard group (with the last 3 rounds I had on me) that meassure 2 1/8".
1000ydG_4.jpg


I was going to try 4831SC but this load is working so well there seems to be no need. I dont want to use up barrel life if I have a good shooting load already.
 
#32
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

So far you guys have been a lot of help. I'm going to buy powder tomorrow, since I decided Varget was better off charging .223 loads. I'm curious if anyone can give a good reason to buy IMR 4350 over Hodgdon H4350? Looking over the Hodgdon load data it seems that 41gr of IMR 4350 offers slightly better velocity with lower pressure compared to 42gr of H4350.
 
#34
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Using four different bullets on my Savage Model 11 Long Range Hunter in .260 Remington, I've measured the COL from the lands. It's not perfect science, but it's certainly an indicator of things to come. Here's a look:

2.790" Sierra MatchKing 144GR BTHP
2.800" PRVI 139GR FMJBT
2.870" Hornady Match 140GR BTHP
2.900" Hornady A-MAX 140GR BT

Each of these were given .005" clearance from the lands, and confirmed fit with a closed bolt. The PRVI will make good plinking/zero rounds. The Hornady Match and A-MAX bullets should serve well for long-range. I'm skeptical of Sierra's MatchKing bullets because the rim of the hollow-point is finished at an uneven angle on every single bullet.
 
#35
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Using four different bullets on my Savage Model 11 Long Range Hunter in .260 Remington, I've measured the COL from the lands. It's not perfect science, but it's certainly an indicator of things to come. Here's a look:

2.790" Sierra MatchKing 144GR BTHP
2.800" PRVI 139GR FMJBT
2.870" Hornady Match 140GR BTHP
2.900" Hornady A-MAX 140GR BT

Each of these were given .005" clearance from the lands, and confirmed fit with a closed bolt. The PRVI will make good plinking/zero rounds. The Hornady Match and A-MAX bullets should serve well for long-range. I'm skeptical of Sierra's MatchKing bullets because the rim of the hollow-point is finished at an uneven angle on every single bullet.</div></div>

When you refer to the Siera MKs, I'm assuming you mean the 142s, right?

Don't let the imperfect metplats bother you. It doesn't seem to effect accuracy. I have found these to be every bit as accurate as Bergers or Scenars. But if it will make you feel better, you could always clean them up with a metplat trimmer.
 
#39
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there is no 1745 144 matchking on Sierras website.
(unless you know something we dont know) </div></div>

It appears that maybe I do know something you don't: http://imageshack.us/f/812/sierramatchking1745.jpg/
 
#41
#42
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bc is ballistic coefficient. the higher the number the better it cuts through the wind. since these bullets are no longer available there no reason to discuss them.............. </div></div>

1 - He didn't ask what BC was, he asked what THE BC was.
2 - They are still available... I bought them last week.
 
#43
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bc is ballistic coefficient. the higher the number the better it cuts through the wind. since these bullets are no longer available there no reason to discuss them.............. </div></div>

1 - He didn't ask what BC was, he asked what THE BC was.
2 - They are still available... I bought them last week.</div></div>

Are they still in production, or is this old inventory being cleared out. This is the first time I have heard of these.
 
#44
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lakeway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are they still in production, or is this old inventory being cleared out. This is the first time I have heard of these. </div></div>They've been selling off the remains of a custom order for over a year.
 
#46
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"I use Win 7-08, a single pass thru a Forster 260 FL die makes it 260 brass" </div></div>

That works for me too.
I've been shooting 130 VLD's with H4350. </div></div>

i got once fired FC 308 brass from camp perry for 3$ a pound.. "about 40 per pound"


ran then threw a RCBS FL 260 die and they are fine in a chamber guage


i just built a 260, and have 300 123 amax and 100 140 amax..
my current powder inventory is varget, R19 and 748.... any 1 have any good loads?
 
#49
Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I have to wonder how much cost savings there could be to reforming one caliber brass to another, considering the cost of tools and consumables.
 
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