It is a no-brainer. I would not want to be without mine.
260 Remington thoughts
- Thread starter Tangent
- Start date
Thank you. It all sounds pretty straightforward and a worthwhile improvement for the heavy bullets, which is what I want to use this rifle for. Would you say there are any downsides to going to the AI version?
It is very easy with no issues at all. If there is any downsides to going AI I have not seen it yet and I have had mine since 2021. Honestly, if I could not have the AI then I don't think I would want a 260. The reason I say that is due to the added performance over the regular 260 especially with the heavier bullets.
I will say that as with any other "Smith" work the chambering has to be done correctly. All of my work is done by the very capable Zack Donovant (WSMNUT) here on the site. His work has proved to be the best I've ever found anywhere. Between myself and many of my close friends here locally he has now built close to twenty rifles and/or barreled actions with no exceptions of being very accurate and detailed quality work we are all proud of. I do not consider myself to be a competitive - match shooter but recently shot a first real match @ 600 yds. and was first place in group with a close friend of mine shooting a rifle also built by Zack coming in second in group and placing first in score @ 600 yds. and first overall as well. We both were shooting 6BRX calibers.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
You'll love the 260AI. I've been shooting it in 1000y F/Class for the past 8-9 years. Building another one now and have a barrel sitting here for my sling gun when its current barrel wears out. Can take your favorite 260 load and fire form extremely accurately, too. Some of my smallest groups ever have been fire forming.
I've got 800 more 142gr SMK's on the way, probably some N555 to try too. I'm very impressed with what this Tikka Tac A1 suppressed can do. I imagine it would be hard to miss with an F class 260AI rifle. It's all about the wind then! I'm expecting around 2,700fps with N555 out of the 24" barrel.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
You should get that velocity no problem and more like 2750 even with bullets in the 150 range.
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That's good to know. I'm currently using 40.0gr N550 as I had a tub, at 2600fps and 2.895". I can push it to 2700 but get pressure signs so backed it off as the brass and barrel is new.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
Gotcha, It may likely be necessary to change the powder to the next step slower, If all that is available is VV powders.....Your N550 sounds much like how my AA-2700 acted, same charge and everything.
which is kind of unfortunate as there is A LOT of other powders in between N550 and N555
Which means going the next step slower is a BIG step.
But, still may work.
If not, do not get too caught up in speed, accuracy is more important to load for and makes everything more predictable.
I did not realize you were using a Tikka Tac A1,
One of my shooting buddies has the same gun but in a 6.5 Creed and I was about to recommend to him he let me rechamber it to a .260
....Until we shot it
It is throwing factory 140 ELD-m Loads at 2850 fps
I dont know how but it must be his barrel.
I said never mind, leave it a 6.5 Creed if it is that fast. lol
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Yes N550 is probably a bit fast but these days powder is a bit expensive not to use! It shoots very well but a bit more velocity and the same accuracy wouldn't hurt. We can mostly get VV or Reload Swiss powders, no Alliant to be seen and Hodgson is scarce and expensive, many are not sold here either due to the REACH regulations.
According to a burn rate chart Laurie listed a while ago N550 to N165 covers the same range as H414 to Superperformance. N555 I think is about like H4350 with N160 being a little slower. I'm expecting N555 or N160 to be about right for the 140's.
I actually bought this Tikka as it was £800 cheaper than the 6.5CM model, I think they must have had issues shifting it as 260Rem is pretty rare over here. I've had a few puzzled looks already! Your buddy has a fast one by the sound of it, Tikkas have a reputation for being slow.
Looking at VV's data N555 should give about 2,700fps in an 18 3/4" barrel so a 24" should be into the 2,800's. I may have done to try in a few weeks, could be interesting.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I shoot N555 in my 260AI currently, its a fantastic powder. I shoot the 153.5 LRHT in the low node at 2800fps. 45.0gr
Excellent. It looks like 42-44gr should be about right for the 142gr SMK. No VV data for that bullet but I seat 0.1" longer.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I did find that it was nearly identical to my RL23 data. I think 42-44 would be a safe place to look.
I have one of those. What is your load?
I've managed to get hold of some N555 now. I'll load up some test rounds from 42-44gr with the 142 SMK's and see how they do. The load data for those seems very consistent with the 144gr Berger LRH with the slower powders. Hoping I can get about 2750fps with accuracy out of my 24" Tikka barrel and the most of that BC.
I believe that load will do well for you.
Same
Shot a lot of 130’s and 142 SMK’s
I used Winchester 243 brass necked up an a variety of powders.
Busted my 1000!yard and 1 mile cherry with it.
Did some testing today with N555: All three shot groups, measured edge to edge minus .264"
42.3 0.331" 2623
42.6 0.245" 2632
42.9 0.771" 2649
43.2 0.439" 2655
43.6 0.566" 2675
44.0 0.367" 2700
44.4 0.287" 2723
No signs of pressure, 142SMK at 2.895" COAL. I want to load some more at 44.4gr and shoot a larger group to see if it is consistent.
42.3 0.331" 2623
42.6 0.245" 2632
42.9 0.771" 2649
43.2 0.439" 2655
43.6 0.566" 2675
44.0 0.367" 2700
44.4 0.287" 2723
No signs of pressure, 142SMK at 2.895" COAL. I want to load some more at 44.4gr and shoot a larger group to see if it is consistent.
43.0 gr. may be a good place to check as well.
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