Looking at a burn rate chart N550 seems to be the same rate as H414, Reloader 17 and WC760 and a little faster than IMR4350.
260 Remington thoughts
- Thread starter Tangent
- Start date
2 ticks slower than 2700 check vhits load data to see if it's a good fit for ya
Thanks. Looks like 2700 comes under the REACH regulations and isn't currently available here. Currently Vihtavuori, Reload Swiss and the odd Hodgson powder. No Varget, 4350 or many of the commonly used powders in the US. Makes it a little harder getting a good load!
Running N160 with 130smk's in my 26" model 70. Seems to be doing well so far, but we'll see how it handles the hot weather as it is a stout charge. Here's how it shot for me (sling) at 600 on Sunday. SD was around 11 for the entire string.
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Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
With 130gr and up bullets, most of the powders with burn rates between H4350 and H4831 should work well. N160 seems close to H4831 and I know some have had great luck with it in the AI version. 260 (and 260AI) is an easy cartridge to get to shoot good.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I really like 555 in my 260AI. I shot 8lbs of RL23 then switched on the same barrel when I couldn't get Alliant anymore, it cleans up so much easier, incredibly accurate, low SD, even with its temp sensitivity its very accurate across temperature ranges from 40°-110°F. I'm in California so I don't shoot in extreme cold, so take that for what its worth.
That correlates with what I've heard about N555. I'm in the Midlands, England so even less temperature variation than you experience, so that shouldn't be an issue. It seems nicely placed between N550, which may be a little fat for the 140gr+ bullets, and N160.
dc.fireman
Sling & Irons!
In my 26" Shilen Select Barrel:
Lapua 123 Scenar @ 2.900" COAL
42.0gr. H-4831-SC
Starline Brass
Federal 210M Primer
It's an easy load, not a throat burner. Shoots really well for 300M targets.
Lapua 123 Scenar @ 2.900" COAL
42.0gr. H-4831-SC
Starline Brass
Federal 210M Primer
It's an easy load, not a throat burner. Shoots really well for 300M targets.
I've have heard good reports on the 123gr Scenar. I mostly shoot 300-600m at ranges with very unpredictable, swirling winds, hence going for the higher BC options. What kind of velocity do you get from the 123gr?
Just measured the distance to the lands with a Hornady OAL gauge. I'm getting 2.908", check a number of times. I'm loading to 2.900". Assuming a consistent OTB measurement for these 142gr SMKs I'm presuming a jump of 8 thousandths. Much closer than I expected to get.
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dc.fireman
Sling & Irons!
Velocity on the 123's was between 2725, and 2760.
The SD for my load was 15-17.
I don't weigh components - I just look for an accuracy node at the given distance, and load for that. My shooting distances are typically 200Y, 300Y, 300M, and 600Y.
Other folks have recommended Varget in the 36.5-37.0 gr. range, and 4350. As of yet, I have not been able to get 4350 to shoot with the accuracy I need, so it sits mostly unused. H-4831-SC has been useful to me in .260, .308 and so it's a favorite of mine. I also like 4064 in a lot of loads I use too.
The SD for my load was 15-17.
I don't weigh components - I just look for an accuracy node at the given distance, and load for that. My shooting distances are typically 200Y, 300Y, 300M, and 600Y.
Other folks have recommended Varget in the 36.5-37.0 gr. range, and 4350. As of yet, I have not been able to get 4350 to shoot with the accuracy I need, so it sits mostly unused. H-4831-SC has been useful to me in .260, .308 and so it's a favorite of mine. I also like 4064 in a lot of loads I use too.
Shooting today at 500m very little wind, 142gr SMK at average velocity of 2600fps, 40.0gr N550, Lapua brass. Once I got it dialled in it was shooting a very small group in the centre. Very pleased with so little load development. Remington really messed up with their marketing, 260 is much better than I expected. It seems not many people have even heard of it over here.
If you Ackley Improve it you can get 2950 to 3000 FPS with that same bullet and it will still shoot tiny groups.
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I think that's definitely in this rifle's future. Does the case length change when you AI it?
Mine shortened @ .004 at fire forming. There is hardly any growth during routine firing and F/L re-sizing. I bump shoulders back @ .002 and use a neck bushing .002 - .003 below loaded neck round.
Can you just shoot 260 loads as normal to fire form to 260 AI?
My normal load with the 142 gr. Sierra MKs is 47.5 gr. H-4831 with a CCI BR4 primer in Peterson SRP brass. With an effort to move to V-V powders I recently use the load below to shoot that group posted above.
142 GR. SIERRA HPBT MK HBN C* OLD UN/POINTED 2.200 O M 2.865 COL T/L B S .511 B C .626
POWDER VV-N555 46.7 GR. PRIMER CCI 450M .293 BU. .295 LND
SEATED @ 2.196 O M 2.861 COL .004 OTL 2938 FPS 9 E S 4 S D
142 GR. SIERRA HPBT MK HBN C* OLD UN/POINTED 2.200 O M 2.865 COL T/L B S .511 B C .626
POWDER VV-N555 46.7 GR. PRIMER CCI 450M .293 BU. .295 LND
SEATED @ 2.196 O M 2.861 COL .004 OTL 2938 FPS 9 E S 4 S D
Yes Sir and jam the bullet in the lands with a normal 260 load.
the thought of a 260AI interests me add to the list
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