Need help with a 260 load

[masterblaster1]

I am trying to nail down a load for IMR 4350, H 4350 is hard to find right now. Best I can do is about 1 MOA at 100 so far, the barrel is a Rock Creek 26 inch 1-8 twist Rem 700 action sitting a Mcrees, built by LRI in Sturgis. Also would appreciate a max Quickload look up using a 140 Amax and this powder, the Hogdon Manual has only one load listed for this combo, 43 gr. Using Lapua brass, and 140 AMax's. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[joejo]

the only thing I can tell you is don't get caught up on shooting the heavies. the 260 case is better suited for the 120-130 class bullets in my opinion. I shot out a few pipes looking for a good 140 load and decided to go back to the 130-123 class and never looked back again. usually 43-45 grn of 4350, 15 off to 15 jam, with most 120-130 class pills shoot pretty good. the last two barrels I used, shot the 123 lapuas at 3050-3100, and most times it will print 5 shot groups in the mid 3's or less. I use it for mid range f-class and I feel it does pretty good. I load 130 bergers for some long range hunting.

 

[jonbearman]

I concur,I tried to get the 140's and 142's to shoot consistently and never had much luck. I got a great deal on a bunch of sierra 120 grain matchkings and never looked back either.Now it shoots with alittle less recoil and way more consistently.I also use a 1in8 tube.Try them,you will like them.Another note is the heavies dont settle down till 200 yds or more.

 

[yenak]

Mine likes H4831SC with the 140's.

 

[2644ever]

You're right. Yenak, 4831 is the way to go just like N550 and N560 or heavily compressed loads of Re 22

 

[trailrider121]

I tested very little with 140 vld with H4831SC, and it work great for the results I got. Currently using 130 vld hunting.

 

[NorCal Vu]

260s and 139, 140s, and even 142s work just fine.

The only issue I see with your particular setup is the 1:8, a lil too tight IMO. Our guys run nothing but 8.5s, or now the 8.2s with a 140 Berger Hybrid. All my 260s have Bartlein 4 groove 8.5 twist tubes on them.

Our go to load across 25+ rifles:

Rem Brass sized with a .289 bushing (and dump that carbide ball if you are using one)

CCI BR2 or F210M Primer

43.5gn of H4350 OR 47gn of H4831SC (you will crunch powder as this is a compressed load), work your way up to these as they are hot.

Lapua 139gn Scenar .010 to .015 off the lands will get 2835FPS average from a 26" tube with the H4831SC load. With the H4350 load, you might get a lil more speed with the 43.5gns.


With the 140AMAX, I jump the crap out of them. .030 off the lands with 47gn of H4831SC will push them around 2830fps out of a 26"

Some guys run the 142s, but I think the 139gn scenar, 140 AMAX, or if you got the bucks, the 140 Berger Hybrid. The Bergers like to jump like a mile. We have seen great accuracy with a .050 jump.

The 260 is and SHOULD be a very round to load for, if you can't get one to shoot .5 or better, something is seriously wrong.

You know what reamer was used to chamber that rig?

 

[NorCal Vu]

I also noticed you mentioned using Lapua brass.

Was your chamber cut for the neck clearance needed? I know a few of our guys switched over to Lapua and had to specify the reamer for it.

Edited to add: with Lapua you will probably end up using .5 less than what I use with Rem...but work your way up to these pressures.

Vu

 

[masterblaster1]

Vu I used the reamer below, specifically so I wouldn't have to turn necks, have a crapload of 140 A maxes and have a bunch of 123 smk's coming, thanks for the jump info I been putting the bullets 10 off the lands. I now have 14 pounds of H 4350 coming so I will be able to work these loads up next week. Thanks fore all the help gents, I will use the IMR 4350 in my 300 WM now.

.298nk tac match reamer

 

[joejo]

weigh those 123 smk's I moved to lapua 123's because the smk varied a lot in weight for the box that I had. like 7 grns!
i'm not saying they are all bad, just the couple hundred I had were for sure.

 

[SmokeLeader1]

I've had good performance with IMR 4350 at 42.6 grns using Berger 140 grn Hybrids at 300-600 yds for F-Class competition with a 30" barrel. Knowing every gun is unique, you'll have to find your own recipe. But for me the slightly slower velocity produced better ladder tests than higher loading.

 

[SmokeLeader1]

Oops- I meant H4350, not IMR4350.

 

[jonbearman]

Has anyone used IMR4350 instead of H4350 with good results.

 

[nastynatesfish]

I run the 140 nosler custom comps with H1000. I run 50.9 gr. it shoots great. I think the 1-8 twist is made for the 140s. The amax are longer so you may need to work on OAL. Mine came together very fast. I'm jamming about 10 thousands. And run about 2880fps

 

[65BR]

IMR very accurate, about 50-75 fps slower than H4350

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Mine likes H4831SC with the 140's.

+1. Also N165 with 140 A-Max works well. Regards JCS

 

[Coolhand]

I have had good results with ADI2209 , burn rate equal to H4350 and 120 grain Sierra Prohunters. The charge weight is 45 grains, RWS primers Lapua cases , projectiles seated to mag length.

Mike.

 

[Coolhand]

Also Hornady 140 grain SST's the load is 41 grains ADI2209 ( H4350 ) RWS primers Lapua Cases , barrel is 1:8 26". Nosler 130 BT'S do not shoot worth a damn in this barrel nor do the Speer 120's and the Barnes 140 grain Match Burners were all over the shop, I only tried these as I was given a box to try and immediately gave them back.
Hornady 95 Grain SST's and 100 Grain SP's show promise but I will stick to the 85 Grain Sierra HP'S which are the most accurate projectile in this barrel.

Mike.