260 rem velocity

[argrendel]

I just picked up a Tac A- in 260. I will try the 140-147 g bullets eventually, but I have a surplus of Lapua 120L, 123 Scenar, Nosler CC, 120 SMK, and a few 130 Berger Hybrids. Figured I should send these before buying more, unless they aren’t accurate.

I started with H4831, but don’t have enough case capacity to get good velocity. Will be buying H4350 soon.

so I used Varget. 37-39 grains. 22” barrel.

at 38.5 and 39 grains there was a very slight shiny spot on the case head. No flattened primer or hard bolt lift. I only got 2841 and 2849 FPS with the highest two charges. With a 22” barrel, is that max velocity? Was hoping for close to 3000 without overpressure.

the 130 Bergers were in the low 2700s.

searching this site, some are reaching 2950-3000, but maybe with long barrels.

thanks,

Terry

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

I just picked up a Tac A- in 260. I will try the 140-147 g bullets eventually, but I have a surplus of Lapua 120L, 123 Scenar, Nosler CC, 120 SMK, and a few 130 Berger Hybrids. Figured I should send these before buying more, unless they aren’t accurate.

I started with H4831, but don’t have enough case capacity to get good velocity. Will be buying H4350 soon.

so I used Varget. 37-39 grains. 22” barrel.

at 38.5 and 39 grains there was a very slight shiny spot on the case head. No flattened primer or hard bolt lift. I only got 2841 and 2849 FPS with the highest two charges. With a 22” barrel, is that max velocity? Was hoping for close to 3000 without overpressure.

the 130 Bergers were in the low 2700s.

searching this site, some are reaching 2950-3000, but maybe with long barrels.

thanks,

Terry

R17 is a powerful choice. I always shoot 100 grain match bullet's. They are super accurate for ranges out to 300.

 

[argrendel]

I think I was looking at R16. Isn’t that the new non temp sensitive powder?
What are you getting for speed?

 

[Bc'z]

Speeds sound about right to me.
In wifes 260 with 20" barrel I've got her shooting 123gr Amax @ 2800 fps.
130gr berger ar hybrids @2700 with h4350
140gr hornady @2640
143 eldx @ 2620

 

[std7mag]

I think I was looking at R16. Isn’t that the new non temp sensitive powder?
What are you getting for speed?

The Williamsport matches were started in the black powder era.
I can just see somebody with a Kentucky, or Pennsylvania musket asking his buddy if his powder was "temp sensitive"...

Aside from PRS, i'm not aware of a match that doesn't allow sighters.
And your barrel/chamber temps after shooting 10 of a 20 round string will make it null and void anyways.

Do your load workup, keep notes.
It's why they invented dope cards.

 

[chromatica]

I like the midweight bullets in 260 Rem and shoot a lot of 123 grain Sierra Matchkings and Monster 123s (from Midsouth). The new Sierra Reloading Manual shows recipes for 15 different powders for their SMK 123. The only powder that you can push to 3,000 fps is RE19 (using 47.5 gr).

Max load for H4831sc is 46.3 yielding a velocity of 2900 fps. Max load for H4350 is 42.1 yielding 2900 fps. I don’t think you will gain any velocity by making the switch.

I have heard that Reloader 17 was optimized for 6.5 Creedmoor which is very similar to 260 Rem. Max load of 42.3 for SMK 123 achieves a velocity of 2900 fps in 260 Rem, but I suspect there might be an improvement in accuracy.

All of these velocities assume you have a 24" barrel. You can expect to lose 25 fps out of a 22" barrel.

 

[argrendel]

Thanks guys. I’ll focus on accuracy next. Just didn’t want to leave any velocity on the sidelines. But I am hoping for a gentle shooter. The action sure is sweet!

 

[Laurie]

I have heard that Reloader 17 was optimized for 6.5 Creedmoor which is very similar to 260 Rem. Max load of 42.3 for SMK 123 achieves a velocity of 2900 fps in 260 Rem, but I suspect there might be an improvement in accuracy.

No, this Swiss manufactured powder was around long before the Creedmoors. It's manufactured by Nitrochemie Wiggins A.G., works code EI-N 145 and sold to handloaders in Europe as Reload Swiss RS60.

Its initial purpose and application is reputedly RUAG loaded 7.5X55mm GP11 Swiss government ball ammunition which continues in widespread military use in Switzerland in the MG51 belt-fed GPMG and also for feeding the vast numbers of 7.5mm Schmidt M1911 and 31 straight-pulls and the semi-auto StG57 assault rifle in service/civilian rifle shooting.

I'm pretty sure this propellant will likely produce the highest MVs around in 260 Rem with 123-140gn + bullets. If run at these levels though, barrel life will be considerably reduced.

 

[sbhooper]

Using re 17, I got over 3000 fps, in my 24-inch .260, with Hornady 129 Ils, using 44 grains. That powder is a bit temp sensitive and I had to back off to 43.3 grains@2950, to shoot it for summer depredation work with a second rifle. The accuracy is amazing.

With Re 26-if you can get it-I got over 2800 with the 147 ELDM.

I don't chase velocity as much as I used to. Anything 2700, or more in the .260, or Creed will do all you need.

I use the 130-class bullets in my .260, and save the longer ones for my Creeds, as they handle the long bullets a bit easier. I think that the 6.5s in general, shine with the 130-ish weight of bullets.

 

[BronzeArcher]

In a short-barreled .260 Rem, one should focus on accuracy and barrel life rather than chasing velocity. Unless you are shooting 1000 yards, no need to raise your expenses by shortening barrel life and case life. Unless your goal is to burn that barrel out and put on a 30 inch tube. In which case, keep chasing 3000 fps.

 

[Laurie]

I use the 130-class bullets in my .260, and save the longer ones for my Creeds, as they handle the long bullets a bit easier. I think that the 6.5s in general, shine with the 130-ish weight of bullets.

I've always liked bullets in this weight grouping with 6.5s, but I've also seen others get excellent long-range results with heavier models, including 147gn and up even in the 6.5X47 Lapua where suitably throated. My favourite for range use in both the 6.5X47L and 260 Rem (>2.8" COAL, single-loading) was the 123gn Lapua Scenar for a long time.

130gn always looked better still on paper, but I could never get the Berger 130 VLD to perform for me. (One of these days, I really must do the full VLD seating depth routine with this number as it just won't do well for me if in the lands.) Having now got some 130gn AR-Hybrids, I'm hoping they'll fulfil their jump-tolerance promise. This barrel is long-throated to give MVs just under 3-inches, so I'll try these bullets single-loaded at normal modest jumps then reseated much deeper at magazine COAL (which in my rifle is actually something under 2.8", producing a near 200 thou' jump).

 

[argrendel]

We will do some shooting between 1000 and 1400 yards. However, I’m a accuracy nut. I’d rather hit a golf ball at 300 than a 4’ plate of steel at 1400. I’ll back off on speed and focus on finding a good load.

 

[sbhooper]

We will do some shooting between 1000 and 1400 yards. However, I’m a accuracy nut. I’d rather hit a golf ball at 300 than a 4” plate of steel at 1400. I’ll back off on speed and focus on finding a good load.

I am not a mega-accuracy chaser, but I have very little problem finding 1/2-3/4 moa loads in any of my 6.5s (any of my cartridges, for that matter). I like to shoot steel and a few targets, but I am mainly a hunter. If the velocity and accuracy are there, so much the better, but often, the slower loads perform the best on animals, as they do not destroy bullets as badly.

I am not a long-range junky, either. I have my own range and can shoot to 530 yards, which is difficult enough. A buddy was out here shooting with me a couple days back and we we killed some old spray paint cans at that range. That is pretty acceptable for my ability.

 

[Sniper338]

searching this site, some are reaching 2950-3000, but maybe with long barrels.

thanks,

Terry

Yes 28 inch barrel, h4350, 140gr bergers, gets me 2920-2940fps.

You wont be getting in that range with a 22inch barrel. Those few extra inches make a big difference.

 

[STOMP442]

I'm getting 2853 out of mine with 46.0gr of H4831 and 140 Berger vlds. Nosler brass CCI #200 primers 26" Shilen 8 twist barrel.

 

[argrendel]

it seems to like the Lapua 120L better than the Berger 130 hybrid. Don’t know what happen to shot 5. But the few groups so far are similar to this at 100 yards. Hoping to stretch this out Saturday to 300 and fine tune OAL.

 

[Clcustom1911]

I have a Tac A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor, 24" barrel. The Tikka barrel is very accurate, but slow with a long throat. All factory ammo and reloads are running anywhere from 50-100fps slower than my Proof Research barreled RPR with the same 8 twist and 24" length.

If you want speed, you might check out Reloder 26. I'm running 142 SMK's with 47gr and getting 2830 FPS with a SD of 5 and ES of 18-20. That same load in the RPR does 2890. With the right combo, you can get the velocity you want. Reloder 16 is another option as well.

 

[argrendel]

I’m going to see if I can get any H4350 and RE 16 this weekend. One reason is the scarcity of Varget. I’m looking for the happy medium between accuracy, speed and long barrel life. 2840 FPS with 120 Lapua hopefully is close. I might back the charge down.