Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

[david8989]

Well I need a little insight from some people that have loaded .260 with H4350. First off, I do understand that whatever info I gain from here isn't for my rifle and I should do the propper safety checks and processes. Second, the info off my set-up

Savage 12LRP .260 w/ a 26" barrel

140 AMAX
R/P brass
CCI BR2 primers
H 4350 powder

I'm getting ready to work up an OCW for this load and i'm having trouble finding a common max charge for this powder. The max from hogdgon's website is 42gr but I've researched about 40 different loads off of multiple forums some even with the same gun i'm loading for and i've seen loads up to 44.5gr. With 44.0gr seeming to be the top end most are loading to. Is Hodgdon just playing it conservative with this combo on their website or what? Just looking for some firsthand info. Thanks guys

 

[mnhntr]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

I cannot speak for the AMAX but my LRP loaved the 142gr SMK with 44.5gr H4350. I tried some Berger 140gr VLDs and they were much better with only 41.5gr H4350. I beleive the difference has a lot to do with surface bearing. I would try working the 40-42gr range of 4350 for that bullet and you should be in the ballpark. Also find the measurement to your lands so you know where to start with seating depth.

 

[bama1]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

I have that same gun and gave up on 140 and 142's. I tried the 130 hunting vld berger and use it for everything. What's not to like about one load for range work and hunting? Would have liked the bc of the heavier bullets but velocity of 130's IMO makes up for that.( I am limited to 1000 yds. at range ) Also, the 130 is drt on whitetails.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

My OCW confirmed 44.4 H4350 with 142 SMK as the load. It is slightly longer than the recommended COAL on Hodgon's website but .016" off the lands.
I am over 2800 FPS there in a 26" barrel.
This is under their max recommendation for charge but please work up.

 

[al redneck]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

I load 144 Lapua fmjbt with H4350 . 42.2 gr or 42.5 gr depending on powder lot for best accuracy . .020 off riflings . Both rifles are min chamber spec . Likely a factory chamber may use more powder for best group . I'm getting approx 2780 f/s with a 26" barrel . Hope this helps .

david

 

[david8989]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

Well im going for accuracy over MV but this will be a 1K gun with the chance shooting farther. I think im going to build test loads up to 44.0gr to check for pressure. Then work my OCW with the results. It does seem that people are going all the way to 44gr and if there is accurate MV to be had I dont want to miss out

 

[The Gump]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

I can safely load to 44.5 grains in my bolt gun with 140 AMAX's. I have not charged the case any hotter.

You could incrementally load in say .2 grain increments (I do .5)to what ever charge you want and when the case starts to show pressure, stop. Simply load one cartridge for each charge weight and shoot the lowest charge first. It took me 10 rounds to do this with 44.5 being to hottest charge loaded and shot.

Once you have this info you can find the OCW. I didn't mess with OCW too much. I just loaded 30 at 44.5 and shot 10 at 100, 10 at 300, and 10 at 600 on paper. Two 5 round groups at each distance. Then I loaded 60 at 44.5 and went out and shot steel to 1200 to get dope. I was satisfied with the results so thats what I run. Plus it only took me 100 rounds.

One of these days I will build a 4'x4' target backer to get some data on paper at distance, and maybe finding OCW.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

That is an odd way of doing load development and seems more costly than necessary. But, if it works for you.....

 

[The Gump]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

Could you please elaborate?

 

[nicko]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

140 vlds 42.2 h4350s @2850fps

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Sake</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Could you please elaborate? </div></div>

Follow the link.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

You can lower expenditure of time and bullets.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

I came up with a method that has worked out really well for me. I use the search function to find all the loads using similar components to what I have, and note those using the closest rifle to what I have. Then I average the results to get a starting point for working up a load.

My final load for 7.62x51 ended up only .2 grains from the average. My 260 Remington load was only .3 grains off the average.

You will still have to work up a load, and play with seating depth, but it saved me a lot of time, powder, and bullets.

 

[david8989]

Re: Loading .260 w/ H4350 and I have questions?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I came up with a method that has worked out really well for me. I use the search function to find all the loads using similar components to what I have, and note those using the closest rifle to what I have. Then I average the results to get a starting point for working up a load.

My final load for 7.62x51 ended up only .2 grains from the average. My 260 Remington load was only .3 grains off the average.

You will still have to work up a load, and play with seating depth, but it saved me a lot of time, powder, and bullets. </div></div>

This is an interesting idea. I may try this as well just to continue to confirm what would be worth loading to. Thanks for the idea. I never thought to search the site quite like that.