New to 260rem

[Mtstalker]

I have a 260 rem 1:8 twist 26" shilen barrel on its way for my savage rifle. I want to shoot 140's and it looks like everyone is using H4350 around the 42gr mark and getting 2800fps. I have looked all over in my books and with 42 grs it shows only about 2690fps, does 2 inches of barrel really make up that much velocity? Also i havent seen H4350 around here for 3 years so its out of the question. should i use h4831sc ,imr4350, imr 4451 or reloder 17? I can get any of those. The imr 4451 looks promising but has much lower mv compaired to H4350. I want to shoot to 800 on steel and hunt with this rifle so a fairly high mv would be nice. I have to drive 2hrs to get powder and bullets so it makes it a bit harder

 

[Autoverminator]

42.4gr h4350 with 142gr smks get me 2780fps out of a 26" tube 260rem.

 

[284winner]

46-46.5 grains of H4831sc is my best load under 140 Amax or 140 vlds. I shoot them thru a 25" tube and am seeing 2860 fps. Start with 43 grains and you'll find what you want by the time you hit 46 grains. 4350 may be a bit faster depending on your load. Accuracy is close on both powders but the edge goes to 4831 for mine.

 

[RonAKA]

Have done some limited loading with the 6.5RM and H1000 seems to be about the right speed for that case. My guess would be that the 260 might max out with the H4831. H1000 might work too if you can get enough powder in.

 

[jr600yd]

Try IMR-4350 of Accurate 4350

 

[GWY]

I've shot 260 Remington for quite awhile and just rebarreled again. Always used H4350 with 142 SMKs with good results in the first three barrels (all 8" Kriegers). The current barrel shot ok with this load, but not quite as good as the previous barrels, so I tried H4831SC and this is getting the best results ever. Lapua brass, 44.5 grains H4831SC and naked 142 SMKs. Getting 2800 fps out of a 28" tube, Wish I had tried 4831SC earlier.

 

[Sitsntree]

40.5gr of imr 4350 shoots really good with 142 smk in my savage. I switched to 130gr hybrids and 42.5grs of imr 4350 for more speed I get 2840 fps and got better groups at 600 and 1000 yds.Just what works in my gun.

 

[sbhooper]

The IMR4350 got me more speed in my 24-inch barrel than the H4350 did with 129 Hornadys. Consider Re 19, also. It gets me 2724 with the 147 ELDM. I have not done anything with 140-grain bullets, though.

 

[jimbo88mm]

I have no trouble hitting 750 yard steel targets with a 6.5 grendel AR, shooting 123gr bullets @ ~2550 fps. Your 260 will be fine at 800, even if your pushing 140s in the 2700s.

IMR 4451 is a good powder for the 260. I'm getting 2900 fps with berger 140gr hybrids with 43gr of IMR 4451. RL-16 is another good H4350 alternative, with 42grs giving me mid 2800s with nosler 140gr rdfs. This is with a 30 inch barrel.

The books/reloading manuals give you a starting point. Pick a bullet and a powder and work your loads up. Have fun!

 

[Patton243]

Your first mistake was ordering a .260 barrel. Send it back and get a 6.5x47 Lapua instead. Have a nice day.

 

[DHuffman]

Your first mistake was ordering a .260 barrel. Send it back and get a 6.5x47 Lapua instead. Have a nice day.

Very helpful post full of pertinent information in regards to the OP's question.

 

[Sitsntree]

Your first mistake was ordering a .260 barrel. Send it back and get a 6.5x47 Lapua instead. Have a nice day.

A 260 will do anything the 6.5x47 or the 6.5 creedmoor will. Its more of a difference in preference than performance

 

[Shynloco]

Well since this is turning into another one of those "Opinion" responses threads, you might consider testing using Berger 140's being pushed by 42.0gr (+or- .01 gr) RL-19 not RL-17. That combo works great in my .260 Rem.

Alex

 

[Patton243]

Very helpful post full of pertinent information in regards to the OP's question.

Thanks. Your post was irrelevant too.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Stopp, if your looking for encouragement don't sweat the small stuff. Your .260 will be fine for what your going to do with it.

 

[Sniper338]

Good info on powders here already. Id just throw in to not neglects the 130 berger vld. Depends how your chamber is set up and if your mag will fit 140gr bullets seated right.

130s will hammer too. 800 yards isnt hard, my 260 gets there quick no issues and hammers.

head shot 850 yards: shot a square scope testing below..

 

[Mtstalker]

Thank you all. I will try imr 4350, h4831sc and imr 4451. And no mistake ordering a 260 its nice to be able to find ammo on the shelf if i am away from home and run out.

 

[Patton243]

Thank you all. I will try imr 4350, h4831sc and imr 4451. And no mistake ordering a 260 its nice to be able to find ammo on the shelf if i am away from home and run out.

If finding ammo is a concern you're better off with a 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[CaptainMal]

Both of my 260's are AI's so this may not be pertinent.

One, using 140's gets 2900 easily out of Reloader 19.

The other, using 130's , does the same speed with a 25" bbl using H4831sc.

 

[RonAKA]

I have a 260 rem 1:8 twist 26" shilen barrel on its way for my savage rifle. I want to shoot 140's and it looks like everyone is using H4350 around the 42gr mark and getting 2800fps. I have looked all over in my books and with 42 grs it shows only about 2690fps, does 2 inches of barrel really make up that much velocity? Also i havent seen H4350 around here for 3 years so its out of the question. should i use h4831sc ,imr4350, imr 4451 or reloder 17? I can get any of those. The imr 4451 looks promising but has much lower mv compaired to H4350. I want to shoot to 800 on steel and hunt with this rifle so a fairly high mv would be nice. I have to drive 2hrs to get powder and bullets so it makes it a bit harder

I would guess two inches of barrel would represent about 50 fps. On bullets you might also want to consider the Berger 135 grain Classic Hunter. It has the lowest Form Factor of all of Berger's 6.5mm bullets, at 0.913. It should perform the best in minimizing wind drift at long distances. The Form Factor compensates for the fact that a lighter bullet can be driven faster. I also would guess that H4831 would produce the most velocity with a 135. Should be up in the 2800-2850 range with 46 grains.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/Quick-Reference-Sheets.pdf