? For anyone else using the CBI .260 Match chamber barrel (Savage) and VLD's...

[Wannashootit]

Recently finished my son's .260 build, Savage Varmint action with .260 Match CBI barrel in an AICS.

As always, used the Hornady OAL gauge and bullet comparator to start with our usual .02 "jump".

Brain fart....never bothered to check OAL and it exceeded the AI mag length. So he single-loaded with the 140 Amax's for the first round of OCW load tests. While we got a couple of sub-minute (about 3/4 moa) groups, I'm wondering what's going to happen when I shorten the OAL to mag length.

So to the question... the .260 Match chamber has an additional .04 freebore (as compared to SAAMI); is the additional freebore (and the large jump required when seated to mag length) going to be a disadvantage with the VLD's? In general, do VLD's perform better with a longer jump, or seated just off the lands?

Also, there is the concern about the powder capacity lost if seated to mag length. Anyone use Quickload to figure out optimal powder/charge for these 162 VLD's? Currently using H4350, but it was suggested in another thread that it may be a bit slow for the heavies, perhaps something between 4350 and Varget.

 

[Sniper260]

That chamber sounds real close to the 260 Tactical chamber I run. It has a bit more freebore... If you have an 8 twist... I would try running 140gr bergers. That is what the little bit longer freebore was made to run. Then if your using a accuracy international mag look into cutting out the metal plate that is in the front of the mag to allow for slightly longer bullet seating. Thats how my mags are set up and they work great. In general the VLD's like to be seated real close to the lands, they dont like much jump. I run 140gr berger, lapua brass, and H4350 in a 28 inch barrel. My chrony (right or not) was telling me 2960's fps. H4350 seems to have the concincus of being the most popular powder for a 260 followed by 4831 in second place. Just my $.02


just to add to that the bergers are a little longer bullet I think so they seat out further better..