.260 help

[glider]

Switching to ..260 need feedback on cases?
Palma .308 sized down ?
or .260 lapua? for best accuracy?
Also is .260 lapua case length of 2.035. Shorter than .308 win ?
My understanding the two cases have same shoulder but different case lengths am I correct?
Reason being I would like to feed from an AI mag 2.880 and am concerned about seating 142 smk to deep .

 

[Dos XX]

At 2.880 the boat tail will be below the neck shoulder junction. Is that what you mean by too deep? If you can run an Accurate magazine, you can get 2.950. A 142 SMK will fit in that mag with the boat tail in the neck, but not by much, maybe .010 or .015 of room. Doesn't leave much room for jumping the bullet or chasing the lands. That said, people shoot them that way all the time, both lengths.

What gun? Bolt or AR type? Why the thought on small primer brass? Lapua .260 brass is good and available. I have even thought about necking up some less expensive .243 brass.

 

[msinc]

Lapua brass is certainly good stuff, no one can argue that fact. I have two 260's that I use for hunting. I have made all of my brass out of Lake City LR cases necked down. Both rifles, one a 700 and the other a 760, have Shilen barrels and just about put every bullet in the same hole at 100 yds. I do all the usual steps to make it "match" quality ammo...point being necked down 308 cases work great.

 

[gunlover05]

I bought lapua, is excellent brass but not cheap. It will last a long time if you take care of it and neck size. The best good cheap alternative is Win 243 brass and resize. You can use 308 brass but you need to watch for the "donut" in the case mouth after resizing. I have a lot of 308 but decided against it. If a bolt gun consider Lapua 260 if you can afford it, if not go Win 243. If a gas gun forgo the Lapua for sure and do 243. There are many people who use 308 cases though with good success, so you have options.

 

[Sniper338]

I run a 260 tactical with AI mags. 140gr bergers and lapua brass. Lapua 260 brass is great, no issues.... sierra 142s will not fit in an AI mag and be set up right... wont work. I already have to cut out the front plate inside the AI mag to fit my 140s right..

If you want to run 142 sierras you need to go to a 6.5x284 long action with long mags...

 

[22BRGUY]

Switching to ..260 need feedback on cases?
Palma .308 sized down ?
or .260 lapua? for best accuracy?
Also is .260 lapua case length of 2.035. Shorter than .308 win ?
My understanding the two cases have same shoulder but different case lengths am I correct?
Reason being I would like to feed from an AI mag 2.880 and am concerned about seating 142 smk to deep .

Am in the process of finishing a 260AI and have found that the Berger 140 vlds work with the boatail ahead of the neck/shoulder junction but SMK's and Amaxes will end up as mentioned, below that junction. I also found some Win .243 brass pretty reasonable Here: http://www.gunstop.com/
and guys say they work well and much cheaper but Lapua are great no doubt. You might be best to call the Gunstop as that brass comes and goes pretty quickly.
Best Wishes

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I have some Nosler 260 Rem brass on its 12th firing. I bought Nosler brass when it became available and I've been pleased with it. I've also got Lapua 260 Rem brass, but haven't got into double figures with it yet.

I believe under my brass prep regime the Lapua brass will have the edge, but both are good.

My Nosler brass came out of the bag with a nominal length of 2.020 inches. I trim all my 260 Rem brass to 2.027 or thereabouts.

Regards

JCS

 

[dryhumor]

I've used more Lapua; but I have some Norma I've just shot 1X. Both have been consistent out of the boxes.
I now have two, one is a short action and one a long. There is definitely a benefit in the long actions

 

[glider]

Russel
My problem is a RPA Quadlite action. the bolt face is flush and shoulder on breech of barrel hi . Tried 6.5x47 but will not cycle due to short case not lifting bullet tip high enough to enter chamber, so I was looking into .260 which is similar to .308 which feeds well .
after reading all feedback seems like I need to load a creedmore dumby round . which will allow more room for 142 ,s . then I'll be looking for help on forming creedmore cases . seems like .308 necked down is way to go . Lapua brass is my go to reloading case .
Anyway Thanks guys for responding

 

[Dos XX]

You should give the Berger 130 AR Hybrid a look. It is ideal to mag feed in a .260. They shoot great for me. It has a short bearing surface, so you can run them at pretty high velocities. I think my OAL is about 2.90 and I am .025 or .030 above the neck shoulder. I am running them in a Accurate mag that has a 2.950 max length giving me about .050 to chase lands. At 2.880, you would still be .005 or .010 above the neck shoulder. These dimensions are from memory. I could get more exact later if you start looking at that bullet.

Can you run the 2.950 mags?

 

[glider]

You should give the Berger 130 AR Hybrid a look. It is ideal to mag feed in a .260. They shoot great for me. It has a short bearing surface, so you can run them at pretty high velocities. I think my OAL is about 2.90 and I am .025 or .030 above the neck shoulder. I am running them in a Accurate mag that has a 2.950 max length giving me about .050 to chase lands. At 2.880, you would still be .005 or .010 above the neck shoulder. These dimensions are from memory. I could get more exact later if you start looking at that bullet.

Can you run the 2.950 mags?

not enough room unless feed ramp is bored . what I need to do is get a .260 case with a round seated. 130 hyb. are talk of town these days . sounds like way to go . Barrel will be re chambered anyway so free bore length could cut to proper length .

 

[Dos XX]

not enough room unless feed ramp is bored . what I need to do is get a .260 case with a round seated. 130 hyb. are talk of town these days . sounds like way to go . Barrel will be re chambered anyway so free bore length could cut to proper length .

You need a couple of cases and bullets? PM me your address, and I will send them to you. If you want them seated, tell me how long.

 

[glider]

You need a couple of cases and bullets? PM me your address, and I will send them to you. If you want them seated, tell me how long.

PM sent

 

[cherokeetracker]

Russel
My problem is a RPA Quadlite action. the bolt face is flush and shoulder on breech of barrel hi . Tried 6.5x47 but will not cycle due to short case not lifting bullet tip high enough to enter chamber, so I was looking into .260 which is similar to .308 which feeds well .
after reading all feedback seems like I need to load a creedmore dumby round . which will allow more room for 142 ,s . then I'll be looking for help on forming creedmore cases . seems like .308 necked down is way to go . Lapua brass is my go to reloading case .
Anyway Thanks guys for responding

glider,,,, If you neck down the 308 you will get a donut and also your brass in the neck will be too thick. If you do not have a neck micrometer it would be best to get one. You will need to ream the inside of the brass if you neck down. Check for turning the outside of the neck, usually not as much of a problem.
Thicker brass in the neck area creates higher pressures Since the Lapua brass is expensive, and sometimes 260 brass is difficult to find, I have necked up Win 243 brass. It is easy just use lube, and I like to clean the brass again after sizing, to make sure of no lube left inside of case.

Nothing wrong with necking down, just more work.

 

[glider]

glider,,,, If you neck down the 308 you will get a donut and also your brass in the neck will be too thick. If you do not have a neck micrometer it would be best to get one. You will need to ream the inside of the brass if you neck down. Check for turning the outside of the neck, usually not as much of a problem.
Thicker brass in the neck area creates higher pressures Since the Lapua brass is expensive, and sometimes 260 brass is difficult to find, I have necked up Win 243 brass. It is easy just use lube, and I like to clean the brass again after sizing, to make sure of no lube left inside of case.

Nothing wrong with necking down, just more work.

 

[glider]

which brass was necked up ?
what was neck wall thickness ?