.260 Rem +hBN coated bullets

[AKDaddy]

I have a 260 Rem build in progress, and have also been experimenting with hBN coated bullets.

As an experiment I hBN coated some 7mm bullets and shot them through my 7x57 Mauser with a known load. As expected, the hBN reduces pressure and hence velocity for a given powder charge, which means you can either increase the powder charge (if you have room) or use a slightly faster powder. This in turn means load data published for uncoated bullets isn't entirely accurate.

I plan to try 130 Berger VLD's, 123 and 139gr Scenars. Are any of you shooting coated bullets in this range and have some load data I'd like to share? For example, RL 15 is really too fast with uncoated bullets, but I'm wondering if RL15 might even be possible, especially with the 123 Scenars.

 

[savageboy]

In my 260AI use H4831SC w/ all 140/ 139gr. tips. Seems to work the best. Not really tried RL17 yet. I heard it s just right.

 

[AKDaddy]

Thanks Savageboy! I definitely plan to try RL17, and H4350 too. RL17 certainly cooks in my 7-08 and also my 7x57 shooting 140 and 150g bullets. RL-17 beat all other powders by 100-200fps in those guns, although I couldn't get the accuracy in the 7x57 using RL17 that I could with H4350.

Since I don't have the AI version (less case capacity), will probably be shooting lighter bullets (= more of any given powder), and the bullets will be slippery (= more of any given powder) I am certain H4831 will be too slow, meaning I'll run out of case capacity before reaching good velocities. That's why I was wondering if maybe someone had some experience with slippery bullets and faster powders.

 

[JCummings]

While I know many seem to get good results with H4831 in the 260 Rem it never has worked well for me. I get consistently good results with H4350. Re19, and N160 have also shown promise. from what I've read the Re17 sounds good and I've read of some getting good accuracy with better velocity. I have some Re17 to try when the weather warms (it still a bit cool and wet here in Vermont). I know my primary load to start with will still be H4350 this Spring, but I think the Re17 will turn out to be a good powder.

 

[jr600yd]

I shoot a 260 with a 30" barrel and Molly'd 142 SMK's and 140 Berger VLD's pushed by a stout load of H-4831sc. If you have a long barrel this can be a great combination. As your barrel length gets shorter you may want a faster powder. Many have reported 4350 as an outstanding powder.

Good shooting, Jim

 

[AKDaddy]

Good info. Since this is a gun that I would at least like the option of carrying into the field, I asked that Brux make my barrel 25" long. A bit of an odd number, but I couldn't decide between 24" and 26" so I split the difference!

Sounds like H4350 would be a good choice for the 140gr bullets. Anybody have any experience with coated 123 Scenars or 130 Bergers?