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260 Remington thoughts

I'm soon to acquire a Tikka 24" in 260 Remington, too good a price not to. I'm thinking of loading 142SMK, Lapua brass, N560, Remington 9 1/2 primers and loading to mag length (up to 2.90").

Any thoughts or suggestions on that as a starting point? I think the Tikkas are pretty long throated so I should be about to seat the longer bullets out. I did consider necking Lapua Palma brass down but it seems like it may be extra effort without a lot of gain.

This is just for target use.
 
I got started in precision rifle with a 260 Remington. There is a huge selection of 6.5 bullets to choose from. I had some success with Sierra Matchking 123s and Lapua Scenar 136s using H4831sc. ADG was making 260 brass back then. I wouldn't venture into reforming 308 brass - I suspect you might have problems getting consistent neck tension.
 
I have heard that, although this is an 8 twist. I was looking for as much BC as I can stabilise as one range I shoot at has very unpredictable winds.
I have doing 1 mile several times with mine, with the original barrel, ( it lasted more than 3500 rounds ) and the new Lothar Wather that sits on it now, is even better in accuracy.
Heavy means hot loads and are doing bad things to the barrel.
And a 1:8 twist is just fine for anything, between 120 and 147 grain.
 
Standard accuracy load for 260Rem is 44gr H4831 under any 140 class bullet. I don't have any data for N560, but load that 142 at -.020 if your mag length will support it and go shoot tiny groups. I shoot Peterson SRP brass in my 260AI and love it. Alpha is great brass too.
It looks like H4831 (not available here) is between N560 and N165. A similar load in N560 may hopefully shoot as well. Alpha SRP is available here but £155 Vs Lapua at £110. I'd prefer the SRP brass but it's a fair bit more expensive.
 
It looks like H4831 (not available here) is between N560 and N165. A similar load in N560 may hopefully shoot as well. Alpha SRP is available here but £155 Vs Lapua at £110. I'd prefer the SRP brass but it's a fair bit more expensive.
Ahh, didn't realize you were in the UK. @Laurie might have some better suggestions for what is readily available there. N160, N555, N560 sound about right. I shoot 555 in my 260AI. Can you get 243Win srp brass and neck up?
 
Ahh, didn't realize you were in the UK. @Laurie might have some better suggestions for what is readily available there. N160, N555, N560 sound about right. I shoot 555 in my 260AI. Can you get 243Win srp brass and neck up?
Yes, it's a little harder over here to get components. I see there is Peterson over here but it's a similar price to the Palma brass and only available on backorder. Strangely Peterson and Alpha are a fair bit more expensive than Lapua over here.
 
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I'm soon to acquire a Tikka 24" in 260 Remington, too good a price not to. I'm thinking of loading 142SMK, Lapua brass, N560, Remington 9 1/2 primers and loading to mag length (up to 2.90").

Any thoughts or suggestions on that as a starting point? I think the Tikkas are pretty long throated so I should be about to seat the longer bullets out. I did consider necking Lapua Palma brass down but it seems like it may be extra effort without a lot of gain.

This is just for target use.
Not sure 142 will have enough run in a std. chamber ? long Bullet ?
 
My first precision rifle is a 260 Rem I was shooting 140 Berger and 140 SMK. I couldn't get the 142 to work as well in my rifle. Using H4350 and CCI primers.
 
.260 Rem is an outstanding cartridge. Gets a lot of hate for things that don't really matter much. Like seating the bullet to deep to fit the mag. Sure it's not the ideal thing but it will still shoot fantastic and out perform the Creed by a little bit in most cases. The 142 Sierra is the bullet by which all other 6.5 bullets are measured. Honestly one of the most accurate bullets made, and performs well on game as well if needed. If I have an 8 twist I run a 140 or heavier to maximize wind drift and energy. 130s work well too but in my testing with them I shot better at distance with the heavier bullet. Accuracy trumps speed for me every time.
 
I had a tikka in a 260 and shot 142 SMKs from it.

You’re correct with seating, they could be loaded very long. I actually used long action mags with mine and modified the bolt stop to make use of the longer mag.

It shot extremely well, seated long or standard length. I ran 4831 and IMR4350.

Speeds were never real fast but accuracy was very good.

Very nice rifles
 

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