.260 Rem. Accurate Loads Needed

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Hello everyone. I have a new Savage Model 12 LRP in .260 Rem. Tomorrow I will begin the slow break in procedure. It is topped with an ACTAR. I'd like some advice on what folks have found to be good bullet/powder combinations for accuracy. I will use it as a 300 yard deer gun and 500 yard groundhog gun plus lots of target shooting. I'd like to shoot mostly 120 grain bullets. I bought the bullets below to start with:

Speer Hotcore 120
Sierra Pro Hunter SPT 120
Hornady 140 AMAX
Hornady 140 Grain BTHP

 

[Jet]

I can't help you with the bullets and weight you plan on using but I have two 260s. An LRP and a 700 with Brux barrel. Both guns perform great with 40.7gr of H4350 and it is the low accuracy node for the guns. The higher node (different for each) is to hot and I've experienced blown primers so I won't list it.

The LRP really likes Lapua 139gr Scenars seated at 2.828 OAL. I use Lap brass, BR2 primers.

Good luck and good shooting.

Jet

 

[masterblaster1]

What twist is the barrel? How long is the barrel?My go to is 43.1 H4350 for 140 SMK, one ragged hole, in lapua brass, I could not get the 140 amax's to shoot from my barrel, its a 8 twist 24 inch custom build.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Twist is 8

Length of barrel is 26"

Using Lapua Brass (why I got the .260 over a 6.5 Creedmore) and BR2.

 

[nastynatesfish]

My barrel was 28". I shot h1000 and h4831 with 140 sierras. I couldn't get 4350 to shoot. I started 2 grains off max with both rifles and worked up to pressure sign, which was about a grain and a half over max published. Then started working seating depth. It came together pretty easy for an accurate load. The amax in my shilen barrel liked a good jump the sierras didn't seam to care so I ran them 15 thou off lands for more case capacity

 

[jonbearman]

What is an ACTAR? We can give you accurate loads but they might not be exact for your guns chamber and barrel likes.You will have to experiment with what it likes.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

ATACR 5-25x56

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Viht N160 for the 120's and N165 for the 140's. Also had some success with H4831SC and 140 gr A-Max.

Regards

JCS

 

[KenO]

For the SMK 142s, I used VV150 at 600 yards, and H4831SC at 1000. I don't have experience with the bullets you listed though.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

What is sc after H4831?

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Short Cut. Can I suggest you try the 123gr A-Max, it's very versatile might do everything that you want to do.

Regards JCS

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Thank, J! How would it be for a deer bullet?

What will a 1:8 twist stabilize?

 

[KenO]

I use an 8 twist for the 142 SMK, so its good for that, or anything lighter. I haven't gone heavier.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Thanks, Ken! Good to hear. I made the mistake of buying a few hundred Amax bullets for my .243 and they tumbled so I gave them all away. Costly mistake on my part. However, made a lot of friends giving the boxes away.

 

[Coolhand]

120 grain Sierra Pro Hunters with 45grs 2209 similar to H4350 ave velocity 2993 for a 1:8 26" barrel.
Groups very nicely , in fact of all the brands of hunting projectiles I have loaded from 85 grain to 140's , the Sierras are the best.
Conclusion : my barrel likes Sierras. The rifle was built to shoot 120-140 grain projectiles oddly , the little 85 grain Sierra out shoots all of them the best group so far is 0.659".

regards
Mike.

 

[2506]

How will the 123 A-max work for deer? It all depends on your shot. If it is really close range, under 200 yards, and your velocity is up around 3000 fps muzzle it will really come apart quickly so shot placement is really critical. Broad side heart/lung behind the shoulder. As the yardage gets longer and velocity drops off it gets better. It is not a bullet for a Texas heart shot. I have killed a lot of deer with 120 Nosler ballistic tip, 120 and 140 Sierra SP, 130 Nosler Accubond, 140 Hornady interlock SP and they all work great.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

120 grain Sierra Pro Hunters with 45grs 2209 similar to H4350 ave velocity 2993 for a 1:8 26" barrel.
Groups very nicely , in fact of all the brands of hunting projectiles I have loaded from 85 grain to 140's , the Sierras are the best.
Conclusion : my barrel likes Sierras. The rifle was built to shoot 120-140 grain projectiles oddly , the little 85 grain Sierra out shoots all of them the best group so far is 0.659".

regards
Mike.

Good to hear as I ordered a few boxes from Midway when they were in stock. Have not played with them yet.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

How will the 123 A-max work for deer? It all depends on your shot. If it is really close range, under 200 yards, and your velocity is up around 3000 fps muzzle it will really come apart quickly so shot placement is really critical. Broad side heart/lung behind the shoulder. As the yardage gets longer and velocity drops off it gets better. It is not a bullet for a Texas heart shot. I have killed a lot of deer with 120 Nosler ballistic tip, 120 and 140 Sierra SP, 130 Nosler Accubond, 140 Hornady interlock SP and they all work great.

Sounds like the 140 AMAX would be better on deer than the 123?