260 barrel lenght for maximum performance

[teele1]

Just looking for information on the best barrel length for a 260 shooting either the 123's or 140's 600 to 1000 yards. Where does the longer barrel start to give up added velocity and start adding drag? I am looking to re barrel a Savage Model 12 with a quality match barrel and really looking for some informative information on the proper length. Thanks and shoot strait, teele1

 

[2644ever]

I got impressive velocities with a 28" barrel, if you use a really slow powder like R 22 or H-4831 SC along with a heavy,130 and more) moly bullet, I guess you would still obtain worthy velocity gains with a 30" or even a 32" barrel.

 

[Rustystud]

Teele:

e-mail John708. He has spent 3 years shooting the 260 and has gone through at least 4 barrels, shooting XC and LR. He found the 139 Lapua to work best over 4350 powder. His barrels started out 30-32 inches and after one set back usually ended up 28. He could get about 2,800 straight through and 3,800 with as set back between 2200-2400. About .750 ten shot group accuracy then chuck the barrel to the tomato patch.

John could never ger the 142s to shoot wuite as good as the 139s. As for the 123s they do not have enought BC for 1000 yards.

Rustystud

 

[BHarvey]

I'm on my third barrel but they have all been 26"ers. Velocity ranges with the 139's are 2725-2800 fps depending upon what the rifle wants. First barrel lived 4600 rounds but I shot it until it died in a not so graceful manner. The other two have 1281 and 1600+ and still do well.

Have pushed them both to 2900 with N560 but they did not seem to prefer either the speed or the pressure.