243AI or 260AI??

[Kansas91]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my remington 700 in 308. I'm on the fence whether or not to go with the 243 AI or the 260 AI. My main purpose of this rifle is 600/1000 yard BR and also want to use it in tactical matches. What's your thoughts on the two?? Thanks!

 

[savagedasher]

Go with the 260 .Better bullets weight for long range. If your going to build 243 caliber Go with a dasher. Larry

 

[Kansas91]

Kinda what I was thinking as I have a dasher in the works as we speak.

 

[STOMP442]

The .260AI is an amazing cartridge and performs very well at 600 and beyond.

 

[alphapygmy]

The .260AI is an amazing cartridge and performs very well at 600 and beyond.

+1. I love mine.

 

[Titandriver]

Could either of you share some load data for your 260AI's please?

Thanks!

 

[alphapygmy]

Could either of you share some load data for your 260AI's please?

Thanks!

These loads are safe in my gun. Be safe and work up to any loads.I had 2 loads I used for my club 600 yard league. #1-Lapua brass, 140 Berger LRBT .010 jammed (2.370 rim-ogive), CCI BR2, 46.1 gr. H4831SC. #2-Lapua brass, 142 SMK jumped .020 (2.295 rim-ogive), CCI BR2, 45.6 gr H4831SC. These are my summer league loads, I bump them up .4 gr when it cools off. These loads ran just a tad over 2900 fps. This barrel has a .160 freebore. Both loads shot good enough for me at 600 for a 200/200 score and good enough to win my division. I started off with H4831 and it shot so well I didn't even try H4350. I did a little playing with RL17 and got around 3100 with 140's but I'm sure it was over pressure even though I didn't see/feel signs. It also wasn't as tight at 600 as the H4831. Hodgdon Hybrid 100 was very poor in my gun. Ramshot Hunter looks good to try but I can't find any in my neck of the woods.

 

[Titandriver]

Thanks for the info alphapygmy! I've got 14 lbs of H4350 and about 5 lbs. or so of RL-17 so those were the ones I was going to try first. I'll dig around for some 4831SC next trip to Billings!

Thanks!

 

[ShootDots]

Thanks for the info alphapygmy! I've got 14 lbs of H4350 and about 5 lbs. or so of RL-17 so those were the ones I was going to try first. I'll dig around for some 4831SC next trip to Billings!

Thanks!

Alphapygmy almost hit my load on the head when I first started reading his reply. I too shoot the Berger LRBT set 10K INTO the lands. However, I use 44.0grs of H4350 and Fed 210GMs. I have a 30" 1-8 and my loads get 2930F.P.S. with LESS than 10ft e.s.! I use it for my 600 yard F-Open matches and from time to time at 1000.. I have not cleaned a target at 1000 with it yet BUT I have more than a few 197-199's. It is FULLY capable of running with just about anything! T-Rust me on this one!

On another note, my reamer has a .295 neck and a .267 freebore..

 

[Titandriver]

Thank you for the 4350 info! I loaded up 44.4 grs as that is 2 grains more than I use in my 260's, so I hope it's not too hot. I'm using 140 VLD's, ten into the lands, CCI-BR's, Lapua brass. I'll know tomorrow if it's worthwhile combo!

Thanks!

 

[ShootDots]

In my rifle, 44.0grs is a pretty mild load. The reason I use it is because it is SO ACCURATE and met my velocity goals I set out for when I had it chambered.

 

[gilmillan1]

I have seen shootdots shot that 260AI in Houston. That thing really shoots. He was beating many of the bigger calibers with it during the Texas State Rifle Association 1000 yard match.

 

[flatlander]

I've been shooting a 260 Improved 30* in practical/tactical steel matches, and feel it's an excellent round for this application. Barrel life of the 260AI is bound to be a little better than with the 243AI, but you can call that a draw when you consider the higher cost of 6.5mm bullets relative to 6mm.

I've done several builds for customers in both 243AI & 260AI, and heard positive feedback from customers who own these finished rifles - either would probably make you happy. But I'd bet you'd be a little better off going with the 260 AI or Improved 30*.

 

[22BRGUY]

Wondering what the standard approximate neck wall thickness of Lapua brass is for you guys?
Thanks

 

[ShootDots]

Wondering what the standard approximate neck wall thickness of Lapua brass is for you guys?
Thanks

My Lapua .260 cases have a neck wall thickness of .015. Since I have a .295 neck, I turn my brass down to a shade over .012 thick. COMPLETELY cleans them up and the bullets, after annealing, slide in like smooth butter!

 

[22BRGUY]

Thanks for clarification Ben. On your post above I read .313 neck and got confused. Sounds like the perfect reamer.

 

[ShootDots]

Thanks for clarification Ben. On your post above I read .313 neck and got confused. Sounds like the perfect reamer.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. The .313 is the neck size of my .284 reamer! I changed it to .295 make it right. Thanks again..

 

[alphapygmy]

Wondering what the standard approximate neck wall thickness of Lapua brass is for you guys?
Thanks

I turn .015 Lapua brass down to ~.0135-.014 for my .298 neck.

 

[wsm_bertl1]

What Bushing Size do you use for the .298nk?

 

[alphapygmy]

What Bushing Size do you use for the .298nk?

.298 is the neck size in the chamber. Bushing size will have to do with your loaded cartridge neck diameter and how much tension you want. I use a .291 bushing on my turned brass and a .294 bushing on the unturned brass. Both give pretty light neck tension. I've had the best luck in this gun using just enough tension that I can't press the bullet in more by hand. For a rifle going into the field I'd use another .002 smaller or so.