260AI

[jdscada]

Hey gentleman, fixing to fit a 260AI barrel (Brux) 1 in 8 twist on a model 12 savage action. Was hoping some of you could throw me some of your loads that have worked well for your rifles. thanks for any input. I have Berger 105vld's for putting on paper and hornady 129SST's for hunting.

 

[mslman]

I haven't tried anything that light, but 48.4gr H4831SC, Fed 210M, 140gr Berger @ .010 off lands runs at 2890 in 26" tube.

 

[jdscada]

Mslman, I made a mistake, the berger's I have are 140's, I have 105 for my dasher. Ever tried Varget, H4831Sc I have but getting hard to find.

 

[mslman]

I have not tried Varget. Tried Retumbo, H100v, RL19, RL17, RL22. 4831 gave me best ES/SD. H110V gave me best 200 yard groups but @ 600 yards vertical was terrible.

 

[ShootDots]

The .260A.I. is a "mildly overbore" cartridge and will thrive on "fairly" slow powders. The Hornady 129SST has a "relatively" short bearing surface and not too far out of the realm of the Berger 130 VLD. If I were going to shoot that weight / style bullet with a .260A.I. I believe I would go with H4350. If you were shooting a 140 class bullets, then either H4350 or H4831SC would be 2 of the "go to" powders to try. However, you will be shooting a lighter bullet which, I believe would be BETTER served with H4350. If I had to take a "stab" at where I would begin and end, I would begin at 43.3grs and LOOK CLOSELY for pressure signs as you approach 45.0grs.. You MAY and MAY NOT have pressure up there, however, you will definitely be knocking on the door of MAX!

 

[mslman]

got plenty of IMR4350 and never tried it. Wonder how far off it would be from H4350?

 

[ShootDots]

got plenty of IMR4350 and never tried it. Wonder how far off it would be from H4350?

Three (3) things to consider: 1.) it is a shade faster in burn rate than H4350>>>not much but you can't interchange load data; 2.) it (H4350) has MUCH smaller kernels of powder. This will make the load density of H4350 considerably more. This is REALLY where the "burn rate variation(s)" from IMR 4350 will take place and 3.) it is NOT as temp stable as H4350.

Does that mean it would not work? Hardly! IMR 4350 is an excellent powder worthy of a shot in your .260A.I. If I had the CHOICE between the two, H4350 would get the nod. But IMR 4350 is an excellent powder..

 

[mslman]

I'll have to QL it and see what it comes up with and try a few groups and see what it looks like. Trying to get hands on some powders these days is impossible at best.

 

[ShootDots]

I'll have to QL it and see what it comes up with and try a few groups and see what it looks like. Trying to get hands on some powders these days is impossible at best.

Q/L will give you a good place to start. Just remember, a computer program can't tell your barrel what it likes! Let your rifle tell YOU what IT likes!

 

[jdscada]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, btw, what is QL, some computer program that simulates powder burn rates at certain conditions?

 

[mslman]

QuickLOAD(http://www.neconos.com/details3.htm). I generally use it give me approx. loads with barrel times of my good loads (within pressure). Generally, it is fairly close, but you are right in that you still have to play with it to get the best out of the gun/load. has made the powder shortage not as painful.

 

[Stoke]

My match load: 45 grns. H4350, Remington brass, Hornady 140 bthp match, Fed match primers. Shoot very well(.2-.3's), but works brass pretty hard. I'm only getting 3-4 loadings then primer pockets are loose. This makes 2935 in a 26" Kreiger.

Slower Load50 grns H-1000, everything else is the same. This load shoots 2855, with single digit spreads. I've only tested it out to 940 yards once, but all my numbers verify the speed. This should be a much friendlier load for barrel and throat. I haven't shot it enough to say how long the brass will last, but so far no loose primer pockets. It shoots almost as good as the H4350 load. Oh yeah, I use a drop tube and pour the powder slowly.

I tried H4831 and H4831sc, but didn't get the velocity I was looking for. Maybe my chrono was slow, this was before started using the Magneto Speed, and only shot it at 100 yards.

Good luck,
Jamie