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260AI roll call

I figured that since I am nearing end of life on the current barrel, I need a new one spun up and decided that it needed a new action, stock, trigger, etm... lol! New #1 gun being built in 260AI, of course! Hoping to get it shooting by end of March. Panda hand polished, Kreiger 1:8, southwest action works furniture, Sidhe BR trigger, RAD lop only, DSB tuner, have an appointment with my smith on the 6th for chambering. Still need to get optics and send it off for paint after I bed it.

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Had a chance to chrono my current barrel and loads to check how it's doing in its old age. Somewhere around 1600+ rounds on it, shot a 1000y F/class match today. Took first in F/Open and 2nd overall with a 439-15x. Wasn't a high x-count day today, swirling, variable winds, even a couple 90° direction changes mid string. Wind is always a challenge at Sacramento Valley.

Peterson SRP
Berger 153.5 LRHT
45.2gr N555
Rem 7-1/2 primer

Data is from 20 shots.

20250209_102852.jpg
 
Confirmed a new load with VV-N555 powder & Sierra 142 gr. MK (old un-pointed bullet) on Sat. with my 260AI. Will re-visit it when warmer weather rolls around but I think it will compare closely to the H-4831 load with this same bullet.

Peterson SRP brass
142 GR. SIERRA HPBT MK HBN C 2.200 O M 2.865 COL T/L B S .511 B C .626
POWDER VV-N555 46.7 GR. PRIMER CCI BR-4 .293 BU. .261 EXP.
SEATED @ 2.196 O M 2.861 COL .004 OTL T/S -17.5
2938 FPS 9 E S 4 S D Group was .098 after cal. deduction
 

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Is there a reason I see most of you using small primer brass?
I built a 260 and it was as accurate as you guys are showing here
Although I used Lapua Large Primer 260 Brass
I ended up selling the rifle because a friend saw how well he could shoot 600 yds with it
So he made me an offer I couldn't refuse
My Combo was either AA 2700 or H 4350 powder / and Berger 153.5's / F210 primers
It shot so well I had no reason to experiment further.
So I never really got much of a chance to play around with various different combos
such as small primered brass
I still have that chamber reamer though to build another at some point
So before I build another is it worth much in regard to either Velocity (SD) or Accuracy to use
small primer brass?
 
ELR LVR said:
Is there a reason I see most of you using small primer brass?
I built a 260 and it was as accurate as you guys are showing here
Although I used Lapua Large Primer 260 Brass
I ended up selling the rifle because a friend saw how well he could shoot 600 yds with it
So he made me an offer I couldn't refuse
My Combo was either AA 2700 or H 4350 powder / and Berger 153.5's / F210 primers
It shot so well I had no reason to experiment further.
So I never really got much of a chance to play around with various different combos
such as small primered brass
I still have that chamber reamer though to build another at some point
So before I build another is it worth much in regard to either Velocity (SD) or Accuracy to use
small primer brass?
Click to expand...
In standard 260 I never really had a reason to go to SRP, but with the 260AI I've noticed it just lasts longer. I'm not running terribly hot, but when I shot Lapua LRP 260 brass I was loosing primer pockets after about 5 firings, and 2 of those are fire forming.
 
Fast14riot said:
In standard 260 I never really had a reason to go to SRP, but with the 260AI I've noticed it just lasts longer. I'm not running terribly hot, but when I shot Lapua LRP 260 brass I was loosing primer pockets after about 5 firings, and 2 of those are fire forming.
Click to expand...
I agree with you I think the primer pockets do last longer with the SRP. I have also seen better E S & S D #s with the smaller primer than the LRP Lapua brass. Not knocking Lapua at all but just wanted to express the findings when testing it. Would be nice to use 308 Palma Lapua SRP brass and get numbers as well.
 
Bill Norris said:
I agree with you I think the primer pockets do last longer with the SRP. I have also seen better E S & S D #s with the smaller primer than the LRP Lapua brass. Not knocking Lapua at all but just wanted to express the findings when testing it. Would be nice to use 308 Palma Lapua SRP brass and get numbers as well.
Click to expand...
I want to try the Palma brass for a straight 260 once I better understand the process of sizing and possibly neck turning them.
 
Fast14riot said:
If necks are .295 or less, you should be fine without turning. I don't know if its available in the UK but SRP 243 Win brass necked up might be a good option too.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Of the premium brass brands Lapua is the easiest to get and the cheapest, Palma is £114. Any of the other brands SRP brass is more like £150. I'm all for the simplest option but I also try to save some money if it didn't mean compromising on quality.

I do have some Palma brass for my .308 I could test and see what I get. I still need to get set up for annealing though.
 
Bill Norris said:
Confirmed a new load with VV-N555 powder & Sierra 142 gr. MK (old un-pointed bullet) on Sat. with my 260AI. Will re-visit it when warmer weather rolls around but I think it will compare closely to the H-4831 load with this same bullet.

Peterson SRP brass
142 GR. SIERRA HPBT MK HBN C 2.200 O M 2.865 COL T/L B S .511 B C .626
POWDER VV-N555 46.7 GR. PRIMER CCI BR-4 .293 BU. .261 EXP.
SEATED @ 2.196 O M 2.861 COL .004 OTL T/S -17.5
2938 FPS 9 E S 4 S D Group was .098 after cal. deduction
Click to expand...
great group!
 
Tangent said:
Thanks. Of the premium brass brands Lapua is the easiest to get and the cheapest, Palma is £114. Any of the other brands SRP brass is more like £150. I'm all for the simplest option but I also try to save some money if it didn't mean compromising on quality.

I do have some Palma brass for my .308 I could test and see what I get. I still need to get set up for annealing though.
Click to expand...
The simplest and effective way for annealing, use a plumbers propane torch, a deep socket and drill. Drop the case into the socket, spin slowly in the flame until just a low, dull red shows. A metronome is excellent for getting your timing down.
 
Ok guys, winter is almost over, any new builds, development or testing to show? Post them up!

My new build is nearly finished, waiting on the stock in the coming weeks. Fire formed 100 new pieces of Peterson SRP in the 700 and will shoot them once more in a 600y match this Sunday. Twice fired is where I like them for final load development in a new chamber. I own my reamer, so development should be quick and easy. Going to shoot my old 140VLDT load to save the 153.5 bullets.

New gun before sending off for paint. Went with a Sightron SIII 10-50x60 scope.

Kelbly Stolle Panda, hand polished
Krieger 1:8, 30" 1.25" straight, polished
Sidhe BR Evo trigger, set at 1.25oz
Southwest Action Works F/open stock
RAD Lop only hardware
DSB Tuner
Vortex Pro rings, medium height

Will continue to shoot the Berger 153.5
Peterson SRP brass
N555 Powder
Rem 7-1/2 primer

Will test
jumping 20k to 3k
44.8-45.4gr powder

I fully expect it to shoot just as good anywhere in that range as the previous rifle. Just need to do the tuner test mainly to see how it holds up.

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