260 with Lapua brass, H4350 and 140 ELDM's

[minn_wild1]

I have the 9th edition Hornady manual, it doesn't list H4350 as a powder for the 140 ELDM's. What would be a good starting charge weight for my OCW test? I am thinking 40.5, but hate to start to low and waste ... Hodgdon's site says 39.0 - 42.0 for 140 gr and 38.6 - 42.9 for 143's. They use a Remington case which most likely has more capacity. Unless someone has a better idea, I plan to do 40.5, 40.8, 41.1, 41.4, 41.7, 42.0, 42.3, 42.6, 42.9, 43.2, 43.5.

 

[Steel head]

Standard chamber?
40 is where I’d start with lapua brass.
41.5 with Remington and Winchester brass.

40:5 is probably a plenty safe start as well.

 

[dustingaunder]

I run 44.4gr in my Tikka CTR with the same combo. 2.900” COL. Fits in the mag. Shoots 2” at 600.

started at 40.5. Worked up in 0.5gr increments. 43.5-44.5 shoots into the same group at 600 for my rifle. After some fine tuning inside that range 44.4 is the tightest shooting in my rifle.

5 shots of 43.7 and 4 shots of 44.4 into the same group.

 

[minn_wild1]

I run 44.4gr in my Tikka CTR with the same combo. 2.900” COL. Fits in the mag. Shoots 2” at 600.

started at 40.5. Worked up in 0.5gr increments. 43.5-44.5 shoots into the same group at 600 for my rifle. After some fine tuning inside that range 44.4 is the tightest shooting in my rifle.

5 shots of 43.7 and 4 shots of 44.4 into the same group.

View attachment 7197547

Tikka CTR here to. I will run up higher than 45 then. Whats your velocity at 44.4?

 

[dustingaunder]

Corrected in my kestrel at 1000 yards to 2643.

 

[minn_wild1]

Corrected in my kestrel at 1000 yards to 2643.

20" barrel?

 

[TxWelder35]

I pressured out at 41.5 grains in my 260 savage 12 Lrp with Lapua large primer brass.

current load is 40.7 grains. I’m at 2850 FPS with a 26” barrel

 

[dustingaunder]

20" barrel?

Yes.

 

[260284]

I run 44.4gr in my Tikka CTR with the same combo. 2.900” COL. Fits in the mag. Shoots 2” at 600.

started at 40.5. Worked up in 0.5gr increments. 43.5-44.5 shoots into the same group at 600 for my rifle. After some fine tuning inside that range 44.4 is the tightest shooting in my rifle.

5 shots of 43.7 and 4 shots of 44.4 into the same group.

View attachment 7197547

I had similar results with my 20" 260 CTR, Lapua brass, CCI 200, and H4350. I stopped at 44 grains and was getting 2715 fps suppressed. I went up to 45.3 in Remington brass with a 130 Norma, but the brass was done after 1-2 shots. Got up to 2815 fps with that load.

I would start at 43 if you don't want to waste components and time.

 

[Laseredge]

My experience, 44-45 is on the warm side, you may not even see any excessive pressure signs, but the primer pockets will loosen up pretty fast. 42-43 is where I’ve settled for bolt and gas with 130-140’s. I don’t miss the extra 30-50fps at all.

 

[Scopes]

I have 3 260 rems and they all shoot 42.0 grains of H4350 very well. Lapua Brass, Br2, and pick your 130 or 140 bullet.

 

[Steel head]

My experience, 44-45 is on the warm side, you may not even see any excessive pressure signs, but the primer pockets will loosen up pretty fast. 42-43 is where I’ve settled for bolt and gas with 130-140’s. I don’t miss the extra 30-50fps at all.

I ran 44 but using roomy Winchester brass and a lot of jump.
42-43 is common with lapua and Nosler brass.

 

[Ledzep]

42.3 was my pet load a couple years back. .025" jump. YMMV, obviously work up to that, no idea how our chambers compare.

 

[Jabot]

42.0 4350 140
43.3 4350 130
Both shot 2-2.5 inch groups at 550
Lapua brass
Br 2 primer