I had a bit of a let down today. Shot a new to me 260 AI. It's a Savage actions with a Pac-Nor 30 inch 3 grove 1 in 8 twist barrel. My load is fire formed R-P brass, 37.0 Varget, WLR primers and lapua 123 Moly Scenars. I had thought that load would get 2750 to 2780 on the conservative side. Looks like the average of 10 shots is at 2725 FPS. Seems a little low for that much Varget. Is it because of the AI chamber or do I have more barrel than I need? Your thoughts? Donald
(pic's added below) 260 AI velocity ?
- Thread starter donws2
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Re: 260 AI velocity ?
I was getting right around 2900-2925 (depending on weather conditions) out of my old 260 AI with a 26" Shilen 1 in 8 twist, but I was running 38.7 gr Varget and 139 Scenars or 140 Berger VLD's & formed 243 Lapua brass. I've seen 3070 out of it trying IMR4350 but wasn't as accurate much past 2950 or so. Think you could step your charge up a little, but be aware... I tried the Remmy brass and was getting loose primer pockets after 2 or 3 firings with 38.5 gr of Varget. YMMV.
I was getting right around 2900-2925 (depending on weather conditions) out of my old 260 AI with a 26" Shilen 1 in 8 twist, but I was running 38.7 gr Varget and 139 Scenars or 140 Berger VLD's & formed 243 Lapua brass. I've seen 3070 out of it trying IMR4350 but wasn't as accurate much past 2950 or so. Think you could step your charge up a little, but be aware... I tried the Remmy brass and was getting loose primer pockets after 2 or 3 firings with 38.5 gr of Varget. YMMV.
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
You're using the wrong powder. Speed it up using H4831SC and if you're loading it toward max, you'll be able to get 2900+.
In my 6.5-08 AI (a 260 AI), I'm able to get 2975fps on average with a Lapua 139gr Scenar and 26" Krieger barrel.
You're using the wrong powder. Speed it up using H4831SC and if you're loading it toward max, you'll be able to get 2900+.
In my 6.5-08 AI (a 260 AI), I'm able to get 2975fps on average with a Lapua 139gr Scenar and 26" Krieger barrel.
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
I was using the Varget and 123's as that's what I have on hand. I figured to see what they would do before I expanded my research to other powders and bullets. It just strikes my odd that the load proved to be so slow when everthing I've read would indicate at least a some what stronger showing. On the positive side I got three sub 1/3 inch groups out of 8 groups shot today. I had several OAL loads set up with the same powder charge to see where the sweet spot might be. The groups showed a mark improvement as the bullet gets closer to the lands. I stopped at .010 off the lands as I had no idea of what pressure signs I might have. Brass and primers are fine so my next loads will include a .005 off, 0.0 and .003 into the lands and see if things keep getting better. I do expect to get arround to 4350 and 4831sc as I have a little of both on hand for my 22/250 and 6/47lapua. It's just I've not got enough to do any serious load testing.
I was using the Varget and 123's as that's what I have on hand. I figured to see what they would do before I expanded my research to other powders and bullets. It just strikes my odd that the load proved to be so slow when everthing I've read would indicate at least a some what stronger showing. On the positive side I got three sub 1/3 inch groups out of 8 groups shot today. I had several OAL loads set up with the same powder charge to see where the sweet spot might be. The groups showed a mark improvement as the bullet gets closer to the lands. I stopped at .010 off the lands as I had no idea of what pressure signs I might have. Brass and primers are fine so my next loads will include a .005 off, 0.0 and .003 into the lands and see if things keep getting better. I do expect to get arround to 4350 and 4831sc as I have a little of both on hand for my 22/250 and 6/47lapua. It's just I've not got enough to do any serious load testing.
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
when its done right....you will be buying a new barrel and more brass within the year.
when its done right....you will be buying a new barrel and more brass within the year.
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
Damn Boltripper I've got 170 pieces of brass on hand and 200 more coming. And there's only one more 1000 yard match this year. I'm hoping she don't burn out before the end of the year, LOL.
I'm thinking now that the speed I'm missing maybe from the moly coat. Could be thier running slower because of loss of barrel friction. Less friction = less pressure? Anyway I think I need to get off my ass and go ahead and buy some more 4350 and see what happens. The only matches any time soon are short range so I'll use the varget loads if they keep showing good groups. Donald
Damn Boltripper I've got 170 pieces of brass on hand and 200 more coming. And there's only one more 1000 yard match this year. I'm hoping she don't burn out before the end of the year, LOL.
I'm thinking now that the speed I'm missing maybe from the moly coat. Could be thier running slower because of loss of barrel friction. Less friction = less pressure? Anyway I think I need to get off my ass and go ahead and buy some more 4350 and see what happens. The only matches any time soon are short range so I'll use the varget loads if they keep showing good groups. Donald
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
Very informative reading. I had not seen that article. Thanks for posting it shootist. Donald
Very informative reading. I had not seen that article. Thanks for posting it shootist. Donald
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
Well tried 4831SC yesterday and the velocity were better but groups opened up to all most twice that as the same components but for the powder. I ran 47.0 grains of 4831 with no over pressure signs but none of the three OAL test groups I ran would hold better than 3/4 MOA at 200. The average was just over a MOA for all three. The slower Varget loads would shoot well under 1/2 MOA at the same distance. My best Varget groups were 1/2 inch and the best load averaged .667 inches for three groups averaged. All test groups were shot at 200 yards. I'm very pleased with the accuracy but would like to get the speed up for 1000 yard competitions. I'll try 4350 next. The shooting condition was perfect yesterday. Overcast skies and no wind at all for two hours. I did find that the 123's like a little jump. 0.005 shot the best groups. 0.010 off and 0.000 were OK and about the same. 0.003 Into the lands and 0.015 off were quite horrid compare to the others. My best groups are at 2.293 OAL and that puts me just at .005 off the lands. Anyway more testing to come. Donald
Well tried 4831SC yesterday and the velocity were better but groups opened up to all most twice that as the same components but for the powder. I ran 47.0 grains of 4831 with no over pressure signs but none of the three OAL test groups I ran would hold better than 3/4 MOA at 200. The average was just over a MOA for all three. The slower Varget loads would shoot well under 1/2 MOA at the same distance. My best Varget groups were 1/2 inch and the best load averaged .667 inches for three groups averaged. All test groups were shot at 200 yards. I'm very pleased with the accuracy but would like to get the speed up for 1000 yard competitions. I'll try 4350 next. The shooting condition was perfect yesterday. Overcast skies and no wind at all for two hours. I did find that the 123's like a little jump. 0.005 shot the best groups. 0.010 off and 0.000 were OK and about the same. 0.003 Into the lands and 0.015 off were quite horrid compare to the others. My best groups are at 2.293 OAL and that puts me just at .005 off the lands. Anyway more testing to come. Donald
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
I am using 40.5grs of Varget in my stock 260 with the 123 Lapuas and I thought that this load was on the slow side. I was guessing it to be in the low 2900s but it also shot very well.
In my other 260 I use H4350 and it takes me right at 27MOA to be on at 1000yds. The Varget load takes 29.5MOA to be on at 1000yds.
I am using 40.5grs of Varget in my stock 260 with the 123 Lapuas and I thought that this load was on the slow side. I was guessing it to be in the low 2900s but it also shot very well.
In my other 260 I use H4350 and it takes me right at 27MOA to be on at 1000yds. The Varget load takes 29.5MOA to be on at 1000yds.
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
I found the same thing with mine, it loved Varget even though it wasn't quite as fast as the H4831SC & IMR 4350. Figured I'd just be happy with it being a little slower but extremely accurate, plus it was probably a little easier on the barrel as well. Good luck and hope you find a happy medium with it!
I found the same thing with mine, it loved Varget even though it wasn't quite as fast as the H4831SC & IMR 4350. Figured I'd just be happy with it being a little slower but extremely accurate, plus it was probably a little easier on the barrel as well. Good luck and hope you find a happy medium with it!
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
I'll try 4350 next week. I had to load a bunch of 6BR today for tomorrow's match. Want be able to play with the 260 again until monday. If I can get to 2900 with Varget I'll be tickled silly. I agree with accuracy over speed as well. No need to burn out a barrel on poor grouping ammo. I'll start a ladder test nest week as well with varget I may need to just get up over a velocity hump with a little higher charge. Donald
I'll try 4350 next week. I had to load a bunch of 6BR today for tomorrow's match. Want be able to play with the 260 again until monday. If I can get to 2900 with Varget I'll be tickled silly. I agree with accuracy over speed as well. No need to burn out a barrel on poor grouping ammo. I'll start a ladder test nest week as well with varget I may need to just get up over a velocity hump with a little higher charge. Donald
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
Well got to play with the 260AI yesterday. I tried three new loads. H4350 produced the best group at 1.125 inch shot at 400 yards. Varget had a great group going then either I or the wind pooched the monkey. 4 rounds under .750 with the 5th opening up the group to 1.650 inches. Reloader 17 was alot like 4381SC. It just never would tighten up. On the plus the 4350 load which is no were near max required 1.75 MOA less elevation to get into the black. That's the speed I was missing above and could not figure out what was what. So I'm down to tweeking the H4350 for 1000 yards and maybe the Varget to see if it will group better for shorter range stuff. Anyway it's never true until pictures are posted here so here you are. enjoy. Donald
Well got to play with the 260AI yesterday. I tried three new loads. H4350 produced the best group at 1.125 inch shot at 400 yards. Varget had a great group going then either I or the wind pooched the monkey. 4 rounds under .750 with the 5th opening up the group to 1.650 inches. Reloader 17 was alot like 4381SC. It just never would tighten up. On the plus the 4350 load which is no were near max required 1.75 MOA less elevation to get into the black. That's the speed I was missing above and could not figure out what was what. So I'm down to tweeking the H4350 for 1000 yards and maybe the Varget to see if it will group better for shorter range stuff. Anyway it's never true until pictures are posted here so here you are. enjoy. Donald
Re: 260 AI velocity ?
Looks like you have it pretty good. I started with H4350 in mine, and haven't seen the need to shoot anything else.
Looks like you have it pretty good. I started with H4350 in mine, and haven't seen the need to shoot anything else.
