140 or 142 SMK for 260 Rem?

[Michael C]

I need to get some 140 class bullets for my 260 prone rifle (30 inch barrel; iron sight). This rifle is for 300 to 1000 yard matches. I have been shooting the 140 Amax but, I cant find them anymore. I am thinking of going to the SMK and dont know which one to get. Can anyone offer advice?
Mike

 

[ShootDots]

You should give the Berger 140 LRBT a shot. It has a high B.C. is easy to tune and usually easy to obtain. It is my fav 6.5 heavy bullet..

 

[muleystalker]

If your going to go with the SMK's i would defiantly go with the 142's, the BC is quite a bit higher than the 140's.

 

[mac86951]

Agreed on all points. I'm not sure if there would be an example of when to choose sierras 140 over 142 unless it was availability/cost.

-Mac

 

[Drop Port]

If your going to go with the SMK's i would defiantly go with the 142's, the BC is quite a bit higher than the 140's.

+1
I will say the 140 smk is a fine shooting bullet, very easy to tune but the 142 is a better long range bullet if your rifle likes them. I have since switched to 140 Hybrids in my 47L and results are stellar.

 

[ebb]

I think I remember reading that the 140 smk was made for older 6.5-55s that had a slower twist than modern rifles.

 

[cfreeman]

I've shot some really good scores with my .260 with 42gr H-4350 and a 142 about .015" off the lands at 600. 597-40xs was one. Also shot a 199-18x with that 140 Berger long range with the same load. The 9 was all me. Can't go wrong with the 142. That's a go too load for a lot of people.

 

[FatBoy]

I have both on hand and shoot both in 6.5x284 and 6.5x47L. The 142 is 30fps with the same charge. Results on paper are identical so I shoot 142s 90% of the time and use the 140 Hybrids when I get low on the 142s and need to use both types to load out for a 3x or 5x match.

Can't go wrong either way.

 

[jr600yd]

If your going to shoot that 260 from 600 to 1K go with the 142's. The 140's will shoot but the 142's will shoot a lot better. 4350 is the go to powder but I've gotten tighter groups using H-4831sc.

 

[Michael C]

Great; thank you guys. I may get a small box of the Bergers to try. But, sounds like the 142 is the way to go.

 

[JarheadAZ]

Been shooting the .260 at LR since about 2001. Used the 140SMK's initially because that was all I could find; later went with the 142. Both shot very well out of both a 24" 1:8" barrel, and a 28" 1:8" barrel at 1Kyd. HDY 140 A-Max shot very similar, enough so that I use the three bullets with nearly the same charge, 43.8-43.9gr H-4350.

I continue to buy all three. Of them, I favor the 140 for magazine feeding applications because of the shorter projectile length. Otherwise, I see very little difference.

The point I'm making is that the three projectiles will all go the distance equally well, and in fact; they can also do it with less velocity. I shoot at 2850fps, but have also gotten equally good results at 2650FPS.

This may sound inconsequential, but with issues regarding plastic tips melting, and the simple fact that neither velocity favors wind skills more or less, it could well be that the slower way could be the better way to go. I like the combination of lighter charges and longer bores for the effects they can have on extending bore life. I've been shooting my 28" (off and on) since about 2005.

In 2002, I shot the first SOA match, and (if memory serves) got a 197 in the last stage at 1000yd. That was out of a 24" factory savage barrel with a SAAMI chamber. Luck played a crucial role.

Greg

 

[ebb]

When I first started shooting my 6.5-284 I tested 142smk and 140 Amaxs and I had better groups with the Amaxs. May not work that way in your gun !

 

[JarheadAZ]

One thing about bullet designs, the leade will eventually erode to reconfigure itself to favor the bullet that is in regular use. This I read recently in response from a respected gunsmith to my question about the best relationships between leades and bullets.

Intuitively, I surmised that bullet selection should not be made on the basis of a few rounds fired downrange, and that switching back and forth with bullets in a particular barrel may be disadvantageous.

Accordingly, I arbitrarily select a bullet to match twist and to meet a particular application's needs, then develop a load for that bullet in that barrel/upper. After a reasonably long usage, I redevelop that load to ensure that changing throat/bore conditions have not impacted the required powder charge. So far, this prediction appears to have some merit.

I am not looking for an ultimate accuracy load, rather; I am seeking a load that has acceptable enduring accuracy.

Greg

 

[hogan]

Short-Action receiver? Got enough throat for the 142 smk? Not to mention magazine area?

Highest BC bullets in short-action guns are handicapped. Put the barrel onto a Long Action and you are set!


Might try the Nosler 140 bthp comp bullet for best value...

 

[LPRoad]

I've shot some really good scores with my .260 with 42gr H-4350 and a 142

Do you happen to recall the coal? I have room for about 2.90 in my Tikka mag, and an opportunity to pick up some 142 at a good price. Thanks

 

[cfreeman]

Just measured, I had a box loaded 2.885"

 

[LPRoad]

Just measured, I had a box loaded 2.885"

Great, thank you very much