260 rem case stretching

[kcfx65]

i'm new here and have been reading about the 260 rem and its a.i. version,i want to build one (rem 700 action) to use for some whitetail hunting and target shooting in the 300-600 yd. range,and possibly trying 1000 yds. i have yet to come across an article on case stretching ? i was considering the ackley version for the extra velocity and body taper for very little case stretch (i hate trimming cases). how much case stretching can i expect (if any ?) if i go with the standard 260 rem. ? i already reload for a kimber 84m in 260 and am trying to decide if its worth buying the dies and case forming for the 260 ackley. any recommendations would be greatly appreciated ! thanx

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I use Remington 260 Rem brass. I full length resize using a Redding bushing die. I typically trim about 4 thou off the cases, although it does seem to vary quite a bit. I now measure the case and if it's 2.029 or more I trim it and deburr it. If it's less, I don't trim or deburr. I've thought about the 260 Improved a bit, but I don't want to lose feed capability. What I have had done is have a Wyatt's box fitted that allows the rounds to be up to 3.1 inches long.
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/member-galleries/p2948-remington-700-sa-in-260-rem.html
Regards JCS

 

[bheadboy]

built a 260AI, on 700 etc.

no case streaching of note, very seldom trim., feeds like grits

Hart's did the work

Bob

 

[ShaneG.]

I have a 260AI on a Savage and only trim to make sure they are all consistant. I have some cases I wish would stretch a little to square them up better.

 

[fdshuster]

How much the shoulders are being pushed back with each sizing will have a lot of effect on how much case stretching you get.

Most of my shoulders are setback no more than .002" with each FL sizing, 308 being a close example of the 260 Remington & I seldom have to trim the Lapua & Winchester brass. When I do, it's no more than a couple of thousandth's. Trimming maybe every third or fourth loading.

 

[dooley]

260 case Trimming, just because the reloading manuals say the max lenght for this case should be 2.035 thou, that is not necessary accurate for all 260 rifles, using a sinclair guage on my last barrel I found that the max case lenght could be up to 2.054 thou so I used to trim to 2.45 thou, using between 6-800 rounds a year I still only had to trim about twice a year,
as a target shooter I normally shoot between 600-1000yds and my last barrel which was a cut 5R Border barrel was still shooting under 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards after approx 3400 rounds, I only changed it for a 26 inch barrel as the previous 32 inch barrel was getting to heavy to lug around, again I chose a Border barrel, I love this new shorter barrel, it feels more like a rifle should be. dooley (UK)

 

[kcfx65]

bheadboy,

what bullets are you shooting in your 260 ai, i want to shoot the 123-140 vld's,but i dont want seat the bullet past the case shoulder do i ? also, what about neck dim.?

 

[jcampbellsmith]

also, what about neck dim.? ...

I am just about to get my 260 Rem re-barrelled with a .298 neck and plan to use Lapua brass when I get it back. Regards JCS

 

[dooley]

JCS, my latest 260 barrel has a 298 thou neck, but what suprised me was my loaded round using lapua 260 brass was a fraction under 0.295 thou which is fine for clearance so if you are using bushing dies you might have difficulty getting a 0.293 thou bushing in the uk, Iv'e been trying for 6 weeks now.
Regards, dooley

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Thanks, I have a growing set of bushings for the 260 Rem and already have .293. Regards JCS

 

[brian427cobra]

I use Win 243 and 7-08 in my 260Rem, I trim every time with a Giraud Trimmer unless I'm loading at the range, I don't Trimming anymore.