Loading brass/tools/die questions for .260

[Tangodown911]

I have been hand loading for approx 2.5 years now and I never stop learing. Soon I will start loading for the new .260 custom! But I have some questions about what you guys are using. So far, I've got a Redding comp. neck sizer 3 die set with body die, bushing N/S die, and comp. seater and the K&M neck turning setup. I've bought Nosler and Norma brass to eventually narrow it down to one or the other.

Questions:
What bushing sizes are you commonly using?

Will I need a full length sizer die at all? I was thinking this might be neccessary to run virgin brass through prepping. Or would the Redding body die do the trick?

What's better o neck up or neck down??? Make .260 from .243 or use 7mm-08? I would think that 7mm-08 is a better option in theory, but I'm only speculating. I wouldn't mind the brass prep to knock out donuts and tune up the necks being that I've got the tools for it.

Any other piece of gear you recommend?

 

[Deisel]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

I use the Nolser .260 brass. As virgin brass it does not need anything done to it, ready to reload right out of the box. I see runout at .001 to .002 using this brass new. Bushing size would depend on brass and bullet. I am using a .287 bushing in a Redding type S full body die with Lapua 139 gr Scenar bullets. Personally, I full length resize my brass every time after using it, some do some don't.

 

[Clark]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

The stock Forster full length sizing die has a neck that will go with a .284" pin gauge. You don't want it that small, unless you used 243 brass and then turned the necks.

Redding "S" dies will not make as concentric ammo as a Lee Collet neck die, but it will be close if the amount of change to the neck is small.

Standard reamers will make a chamber with a neck .298 ~ .299". That is too tight for unturned 308 brass, just right for 7mm-08 brass, getting to be a bigger change to neck diameter when sizing 260 brass, and lots of change with 243 brass.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

A body die and neck die combine to do anything a FL die does.

 

[pjparker]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

Tango

Bushing size is determined by measuring the neck of a loaded round and subtracting .002" to .003" depending on your application.

It will depend on the make and lot # of the brass you select, and whether or not you neck turn, anneal, or otherwise alter your brass.

Bushing size is not an absolute, but to answer your question, I have been using bushings of .288, .289 and .290.

I rarely use a FL die anymore. I bushing neck size and then body size, which can be accomplished in the same operation in Redding's bushing sizer die - they just hadn't come out with it yet when I discovered my method.

One other tidbit.....A Redding bushing neck sizer die in .308 win becomes a 7mm-08, .260 rem or a .243 just by changing bushings !!!!!!

Hope this helps

Paul

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pjparker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tango

Bushing size is determined by measuring the neck of a loaded round and subtracting .002" to .003" depending on your application.

It will depend on the make and lot # of the brass you select, and whether or not you neck turn, anneal, or otherwise alter your brass.

Bushing size is not an absolute, but to answer your question, I have been using bushings of .288, .289 and .290.

I rarely use a FL die anymore. I bushing neck size and then body size, which can be accomplished in the same operation in Redding's bushing sizer die - they just hadn't come out with it yet when I discovered my method.

One other tidbit.....A Redding bushing neck sizer die in .308 win becomes a 7mm-08, .260 rem or a .243 just by changing bushings !!!!!!

Hope this helps

Paul </div></div>

Ahh that is so.... except for the expander.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

I use Redding TiN .290 bushing with Rem and Win 7-08, I also use Redding carbide floating expander to just kiss the inside of the neck on the way out, FL everytime, run out is good, I load 139 Scenars to touch the lands, right now thats 2.195 ojive length, and every 200 round I fire 2 TMS rounds to keep the throat smoothe

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

I measure up some the Norma and Nosler brass. Seem that after turning the almost perfect necks to start with, said brass measures up with seated 139 Scenars, 142SMK, and Berger 140BTLR bullets at .288" and .289". This was for all different combinations or brass and bullet. I ordered .286 and .287 bushings. Hopefully that will cover it.

I will say that both the Norma and Nosler brass required very little cleanup for uniforming. Most impressive. I recently turned some Virgin Lapua brass that was not so impressive. Necks seemed to betwice as thick near the shoulder than at the mouth.

 

[Clark]

Re: Loading tools/die questions for .260

The factory 260 Rem chambers are typically .299" neck.
The factory 260 Rem full length sizer dies are typically .284" neck.
The factory 260 Rem brass with a 6.5mm bullet are typically .292" neck.
The military 308 LC97 brass with a 6.5mm bullet are typically .299" neck.

The brass used for 260 is 7mm-08, 260, 243, and 308. Which brass is going to be used drives what diameter to have the sizer neck honed.