260 Remington thoughts

[eric32]

the old OCW load data suggest IMR4064 38gr and a 140gr bullet, i plan on testing that out this week.

also jumping the bullet along ways is more forgiving on the loads, https://precisionrifleblog.com/2020/04/05/bullet-jump-load-development-data/

 

[Tangent]

the old OCW load data suggest IMR4064 38gr and a 140gr bullet, i plan on testing that out this week.

also jumping the bullet along ways is more forgiving on the loads, https://precisionrifleblog.com/2020/04/05/bullet-jump-load-development-data/

Very interesting. I suspect manufacturers like Tikka know a lot of this, hence the design. I've loaded to mag length and found consistently accurate loads jumping a long way. I think when I gave up trying to get to the lands I was at 0.100". Very confusing when you read about touching and jamming or 0.010" off! Then I discovered the difference between factory and custom

 

[Lopili]

I just picked up a take off Tikka 260Rem varmint barrel to fit to my current T3 in 35Whelen, so can play in a long magazine box. Is Hodgdon H4350 the go for the lighter projectiles in the 100-107gr range? In my case looking at it as a heavy varminter for when the wind blows.

 

[Leeman]

If you're using it for target shooting you'd be single loading anyway, unless shooting Mcqueens/tactical matches or the Tikka action means you have to load from the mag, so cartridge length would be set by the throat.

Like NZ F class I'm using 6.5SLR, not sure what cases he uses but I'm using .308 Lapua Palma cases necked down, no issues with neck tensions although I do anneal every couple of cycles.

Using 144 Berger and N160 or N555, charge weights are virtually identical as you would expect since their calorific value is so similar and both are around 2900 with a 30" barrel. The new Lapua 144 grain bullets look interesting as well.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I got to 42.5 gr and started getting flat primers. Not interested in going any higher.

I Might just need to try a different powder. Looks like H4831 is worth a try.

And so is N160/165. If you want more velocity, Reloader 17, but it does burn hot and isn't temperature stable.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

If you're using it for target shooting you'd be single loading anyway, unless shooting Mcqueens/tactical matches or the Tikka action means you have to load from the mag, so cartridge length would be set by the throat.

Like NZ F class I'm using 6.5SLR, not sure what cases he uses but I'm using .308 Lapua Palma cases necked down, no issues with neck tensions although I do anneal every couple of cycles.

Using 144 Berger and N160 or N555, charge weights are virtually identical as you would expect since their calorific value is so similar and both are around 2900 with a 30" barrel. The new Lapua 144 grain bullets look interesting as well.

Starline 243. I have to neck turn a little, after expanding. 260 cases are not so common. I started out with Winchester, but they haven't been available for ages. Lapua 144's will have to wait. I have thousands of Lapua 139's

 

[Tangent]

If you're using it for target shooting you'd be single loading anyway, unless shooting Mcqueens/tactical matches or the Tikka action means you have to load from the mag, so cartridge length would be set by the throat.

Like NZ F class I'm using 6.5SLR, not sure what cases he uses but I'm using .308 Lapua Palma cases necked down, no issues with neck tensions although I do anneal every couple of cycles.

Using 144 Berger and N160 or N555, charge weights are virtually identical as you would expect since their calorific value is so similar and both are around 2900 with a 30" barrel. The new Lapua 144 grain bullets look interesting as well.

I'd missed that 144gr Lapua, on my radar now. Are you necking down the Palma brass in one pass?

 

[Walt Schmidlin]

I bought 100 pieces of Starline 308 small primer brass for something to do last winter. Sized down to 260 Rem 1 pass in a Redding bushing die with a .292” bushing, neck turned to .014”.
Used them last year with my usual load (123SMKs, H-4831SC, 205Ms).

Did not see a difference in X count compared to the “usual brass suspects”, 600yds, sling, scope.

 

[DLT]

Go for the lighter ones, i'm having very good results with Hornady 130 ELD-M's running around 2880 in a Tikka CTR.

My tikka shot 130s and 123s real well 22” 8 twist

 

[284winner]

I'm soon to acquire a Tikka 24" in 260 Remington, too good a price not to. I'm thinking of loading 142SMK, Lapua brass, N560, Remington 9 1/2 primers and loading to mag length (up to 2.90").

Any thoughts or suggestions on that as a starting point? I think the Tikkas are pretty long throated so I should be about to seat the longer bullets out. I did consider necking Lapua Palma brass down but it seems like it may be extra effort without a lot of gain.

This is just for target use.

My thought is pull the trigger, sounds like your deal can't be beat just don't necessarily stick to just one powder. If you get great success with 560, that's fantastic. If not, consider H4350 and H4831sc. They both have been a gold standard for the cartridge. I had the best success in the 260 using H4831sc. It doesn't offer the most velocity but it did offer the best accuracy in mine. Another thing looking at the OAL is, the 142 SMK may be getting a bit more into the powder column than you like with a 2.9" round. Mine was built on a LA so I ran the OAL over 3.0". I never measured with the SMK. I ran 139 Scenars and 140 Bergers. Maybe 560 will be your huckleberry. Good luck.

 

[Tangent]

My thought is pull the trigger, sounds like your deal can't be beat just don't necessarily stick to just one powder. If you get great success with 560, that's fantastic. If not, consider H4350 and H4831sc. They both have been a gold standard for the cartridge. I had the best success in the 260 using H4831sc. It doesn't offer the most velocity but it did offer the best accuracy in mine. Another thing looking at the OAL is, the 142 SMK may be getting a bit more into the powder column than you like with a 2.9" round. Mine was built on a LA so I ran the OAL over 3.0". I never measured with the SMK. I ran 139 Scenars and 140 Bergers. Maybe 560 will be your huckleberry. Good luck.

Cheers. I also have N555 on the short list if I can find some. I really need to find out how long you can seat bullets in the Tikka. I'm sure single loading you can go pretty long if my .308 is anything to go by.

 

[284winner]

Cheers. I also have N555 on the short list if I can find some. I really need to find out how long you can seat bullets in the Tikka. I'm sure single loading you can go pretty long if my .308 is anything to go by.

From data I have seen, looks like 2.9 would be absolutely Max.

 

[HandgunHTR]

It looks like H4831 (not available here) is between N560 and N165. A similar load in N560 may hopefully shoot as well. Alpha SRP is available here but £155 Vs Lapua at £110. I'd prefer the SRP brass but it's a fair bit more expensive.

I have used Alpha, Lapua, and Starline in my 260 (all LRP). I could have an extremely forgiving barrel, but the only real difference I have seen is that the Alpha and Lapua need .3 grains less powder to achieve the same velocity when using the same powder (H4831SC), primer (CCI 200) and bullet (139 grain Lapua Scenar). Accuracy is such that I cannot tell the difference on the target. SDs are all within 3 fps of one another.

As has been pointed out, you will be able to load bullets well past the SA mag length before getting into the lands on that Tikka barrel. A bolt stop change/mod, and LA mags will solve that problem and work just fine.

 

[Beruisis]

Anyone shoot 140s in a 260Rem?

4350 hasn't been nice to me in that particular combination.

123s, shoot very well with 4350.

1 in 8 twist.

8T, shooting 142 s using RL19.
Works for me.

 

[Tangent]

From data I have seen, looks like 2.9 would be absolutely Max.

Could be interesting as my mag will go to 2.92". I don't think I can do anything else with a mag unless I change stocks as it's a TAC A1. The .308 is going to be a 6GT and I'll use this for the longer range stuff, hence my interest in the ~140gr bullets. Looking forward to testing and seeing where the sweet spot is.

Any ideas on where the crossover is between BC and having sufficient velocity to make use of it? I see Sierra quote 2,800fps as their highest figure.

 

[jrb06]

If only my original Remington 700 didn't come with the stupid 1:9 twist barrel. I found the Barnes 123 touching the lands worked the best with H4350 around 2,830. But yours is a Tika so not exactly the same.

 

[284winner]

Could be interesting as my mag will go to 2.92". I don't think I can do anything else with a mag unless I change stocks as it's a TAC A1. The .308 is going to be a 6GT and I'll use this for the longer range stuff, hence my interest in the ~140gr bullets. Looking forward to testing and seeing where the sweet spot is.

Any ideas on where the crossover is between BC and having sufficient velocity to make use of it? I see Sierra quote 2,800fps as their highest figure.

No idea. I always look at 3000 fps as my target velocity on most rifles shooting high BC bullets. You won't make that but 2900 is doable.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I just picked up a take off Tikka 260Rem varmint barrel to fit to my current T3 in 35Whelen, so can play in a long magazine box. Is Hodgdon H4350 the go for the lighter projectiles in the 100-107gr range? In my case looking at it as a heavy varminter for when the wind blows.

That, or,,. H-4895 might be, "Better" with, the Lighter weight ( 100-107 gr Bullets ) personally, I'd Test Both powders for, accuracy.
StaBall 65 and IMR 4350 or, H-4350 works well, in my 6.5 Creed with,. 130's to 143 grain bullets.
H-4895 was Very Accurate,. w/ 123 gr., ELD-M's.
I Chose, the 130 gr ELD-M's as a "Compromise" ( Good B C ) Bullet for Steel Plate Practice to, 800 Yards, in my 24" Tikka, 6.5 Creed @ 2,850 FPS with, THROWN Chg's of, StaBall 65. AND,. with, extremely LOW, Recoil !!

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I have heard that, although this is an 8 twist. I was looking for as much BC as I can stabilise as one range I shoot at has very unpredictable winds.

The 142 SMK's and 147 gr ELD-M's will Be your "Friend" for,..best LONG Range, 6.5 Bullets as will, a Couple of, the 140 -144 grain, OTM's, Hybrid or, the "Trickier" to Tune,.. VLD Berger's.
Find a Bullet that,.. "Jump's Well",.. in Tikka's !
Good Luck !

 

[Leeman]

I'd missed that 144gr Lapua, on my radar now. Are you necking down the Palma brass in one pass?

Yes, just used the Whidden bushing die, although the bushings are carbide with very little taper on one end so can get fairly well down the neck towards the shoulder. I had turned the cases at .308 diameter as I find it a lot easier than turning once necked down to 6.5. If I remember correctly it left me with a very light skim turn at 6.5 maybe to get the last thou off the necks and hit the loaded round diameter I had in mind when I specified the reamer neck diameter.
With your factory chamber I doubt you would need to bother turning necks although no harm in checking.