I have a tikka forest 260 remington that I loaded some berger 130 vld hunting bullets for. Berger says with varget 33.5 to 37 grains max getting 2481 to 2703 fps. I got with 36.6 a speed of 2593 , i know their chart says they use 24 inch barrel and I have a 20 inch. My question is can I increase my speed safely , not much on pushing the limits but i see speeds of 2700 on this site can iI get there with shorter barrel . Second I noticed in write ups it says 300 plus yards for berger 130 vlds ,I get all my deer here 100 or less. will it not open right ?
130 VLD question for Deer Load
- Thread starter adigger
- Start date
THIS ^^^ ( 2 Posts above ) 2 years ago, I Shot completely Through, a Bull Elk ( Both, Upper Shoulder Blades / Meat ) at 115 yards, w/ a 140 Berger ( * .270 WSM ) @ 3,175 FPS with, almost, NO, Meat Damage or,.. "Bloodshot" areas.
The 20 inch Barrel, should be able to achieve,.. 2,700 fps with, the 130's IMO, as I can get over 2,800 FPS in a 6.5 Creed 24 inch,. w/ 130's and StaBall 65, Powder.
The 20 inch Barrel, should be able to achieve,.. 2,700 fps with, the 130's IMO, as I can get over 2,800 FPS in a 6.5 Creed 24 inch,. w/ 130's and StaBall 65, Powder.
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jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
All killing aside, as far as the speed goes, let your bolt lift and other pressure signs tell ya if you've got room to increase. The fact is, that the deer that you shoot with that bullet isn't gonna notice 100 FPS difference one way or the other. Your primer pockets might though. jd
Killing aside, let your head diameter determine how hot your load is. Measure the head diameter just above the extractor slot and do not exceed more than .0008" head expansion. By the time you get to heavy heavy bolt lift you will have exceeded the head expansion enough to ruin your brass.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
Your gun will tell you what you can and can't do. Listen to it.
Varget is a Fast burning Powder. I'd go to, Hogdon Reloading Data online and See if, the .260 Rem. Loaded with StaBall 65 Powder does, any "Better". OR,. look at,. Hogdon's H4831 or, VhitaVouri N-160 ??
StaBall 65, produces Maximum Velocities, in my 6.5 Creedmoor with, 130's @ 2,800 + and 143 ELD-X's at 2,725 FPS with, a 24 inch Barrel
StaBall 65, produces Maximum Velocities, in my 6.5 Creedmoor with, 130's @ 2,800 + and 143 ELD-X's at 2,725 FPS with, a 24 inch Barrel
L.Sherm
Silver $$ Contributor
With a saami reamer and a 130VLD?
Try H4350 with the 130 if your wanting a lil more speed.
I had the same dilemma tuning the wife's 260 w/20" barrel.
H4350 got the 130's going 2700fps
RL19 and a 123 Amax is netting a lil over 2800 fps
Most of our shots on deer are 100 yards and in, the 123gr bullet is devastating to a deer.
FWIW this is the rife that brought me to Accurate Shooter
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
My experiences with Berger hunting bullets, they work as intended penetrate 2-3" than rapid expansion and up to 15" of wound channel.
Yes this was using the factory tikka barrel.
The .260 was new to me and I was having accuracy issues. Looked at dozens of threads and posts and couldn't really see any trend that would indicate a "go to" load and concluded the .260 must be a bit fussy.
I bedded it, skimmed the crown, seated the bullets out to the lands and diverted from my normal go to 4350 accuracy powder to 4831sc and it shot bug holes.
HandgunHTR
Gold $$ Contributor
I am getting just over 2600 fps with a 139 grain Lapua Scena using IMR-4831 in my 20” barreled 260.
Due to the IMR being hard to find right now, as soon as my current stock runs out, I will be finding a load using H4831SC as I have an 8-pounder of that stuff.
Due to the IMR being hard to find right now, as soon as my current stock runs out, I will be finding a load using H4831SC as I have an 8-pounder of that stuff.
The powder is toooo slow find some h4350 or simalar and enjoy the extra 150+ fps .
HandgunHTR
Gold $$ Contributor
So you are saying that 2648 fps with a 139 grain bullet out of a 20" barrel is too slow and that I will get another 150fps if I use H4350 without pressuring out? Really?
Yeah, I don't think so.
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