R26 in 260 rem

[wboggs]

Anyone have a pet load for a standard 260 using 142 SMK and 147 eld?

 

[sbhooper]

47 grains got me great accuracy and 2825 in my .260. I could have gone a bit more, but this shot very well.

 

[wboggs]

What overall length you loading?

 

[sbhooper]

What overall length you loading?

So that it fits in my short Rem magazine. 2.81 or so, I think.

 

[wboggs]

So that it fits in my short Rem magazine. 2.81 or so, I think.

46gr gave me 2856 loaded 0.03 off with oal of 2.89. Plan to experiment and try for an accuracy load. 47 would get me very close to 2900 but accuracy is what I want. My barrel is 30". This bullet and R26 looks like it has real potential.

 

[wboggs]

Tried a load of 42 gr R26 with the 147 eld-m that gave 0.28" 5 shot groups at 100. Velocity 2705fps. Tried that load as it approximates the Hornady 6.5c target load. Loaded 0.03" off. Might go up in velocity and check for another node. Can achieve 2850-2890 without case head expansion. Then again, it might not be worth it.
Any opinions?

 

[jim_k]

I wouldn't change anything. Check your ballistic program to see how much more wind drift you have at your maximum shooting distance, due to being 200 fps slower. I get a difference of 0.6" more drift per 1 mph of wind at 1,000 yards. One will drift 5.3" per mph of direct crosswind, and the slower one will drift 5.9" per mph. Both are under 6", which is unheard of until the last few years of bullet development. As a comparison, a real good .308 load with the very best bullet will drift 6.5-7" per mph of crosswind. By ultimate comparison, you can burn all the powder you want, in the barrel-burningest 7mm there is, with the finest available bullet, in the longest barrel that isn't already touching the target, and you'll only get down to 4.5" per mph of crosswind at 1,000 yards. Bottom line, it doesn't make enough difference to matter. That's why you're shooting the 6.5.

 

[wboggs]

That what I suspected. Reading the wind will do much more good.
I already have a 142 SMK load at 2920 that groups 0.23" and was experimenting with the 147 as an alternative.