What a difference!

[ShootDots]

My 3rd 6.5 x 47 barrel went south a few months ago and it was time for a new barrel. I am one of these "got to try something new" type individuals, so I wanted something else to, as Erik Cortina said, "tinker" with! I had my 'smith put on 6.5 / 1-8 / 30" long Krieger chambered in .260 Ackley. I wanted to use 140 class bullets and I had some 140 Hybrids left over from my 6.5 x 47. So, I started (after fireforming the brass) with 45-48.5grs of H4831SC with the Hybrids seated 15K off. Well, at the lower end of the charge spectrum, I experienced TERRIBLE E.S.'s. As I progressed towards the 48.5gr charge, the E.S.'s went well into single digits>>BUT groups were "less than desirable". However, it appeared like the rifle wanted to shoot. Several groups would put 3 in a ragged hole (all testing at 300 yards) with 2 flyers that went "wherever" they decided. I thought "well let's see what seating depth changes would do".. Long story short, after 125 rounds of seating depth changes, "tweaking of the powder charge" and changing primers, I was still in the same position.

So, I decided to change from the Hybrids, to the Berger LRBT. Normally, I always change ONLY 1 component at a time>>>BUT this time, I went with 2! So, I also went to H4350. I started out at 42.3 and went in 0.3gr increments up to 44.3grs. I just got back from shooting this morning and NONE went over 1.30" with ZERO flyers and 2 went into 1". The E.S.'s ALL were under 11F.P.S. with 44.0 going into 6ft! 44.0 also was one of the groups that went into 1".. So now I am going to "fiddle" with the seating depths and then with primers. After I finally settle on a load, OUT TO 1000 I will go. I believe this is going to shoot VERY well! The 44.0grs was going right at 2920F.P.S. This should be a "decent" 1000 yard load, once it is tweaked. However, it ought to be nearly perfect for my 600 yard hammer!

 

[Jason Boersma]

I had the same experience this summer with my 6brx, everything I tried, powders, seating depths, went thru four different bullets and the barrel was not competitive until I tried 103gr Precision Ballistics then the barrel came alive. I was almost ready to take the barrel off, sometimes it just takes a different bullet. Most barrels made today will shoot it just might take a lot longer with some than others.

 

[ShootDots]

In my case Jason, since I did something I never do, change 2 components, I don't know if it was the bullets or the powder. I actually suspect it was the powder. The reason is, is because I fireformed 55 pieces of brass with the Berger 130 VLD and it shot very well for fireforming. I was using H4350. I should have started out with H4350 BUT I really like H4831SC as it is normally 1.) Very clean burning; 2.) great with E.S.'s and 3.) normally gives HIGH velocity in almost every cartridge I have used it in. ALL of that was true, however, I could not get it to shoot>> or so it seems.. Like I said, it could have been the bullets too. However, since I am getting what I want, I see no need to go back>>> Just tweak what I do have..

 

[Jason Boersma]

I shoot the 140 hybrid in my 6.5 with H4350, two different barrels both liked them in the lands one .010 in and the other .020 in, they had horrible es and accuracy until they were in the lands. Don't be afraid to try them again with either powder in the lands.

 

[ShootDots]

I shoot the 140 hybrid in my 6.5 with H4350, two different barrels both liked them in the lands one .010 in and the other .020 in, they had horrible es and accuracy until they were in the lands. Don't be afraid to try them again with either powder in the lands.

I had them from 25K off to 20K INTO the lands in 5K increments. Like I said, I believe it was the powder choice. Since I have only about 100 Hybrids left and 600 LRBT's, I will stay with what I got going on right now. I may re-visit the Hybrids, with H4350, once my ration of LRBT's runs almost dry. We shall see..

 

[rockcreek1]

Shootdots,

What is your Freebore?

I just had a 260ai built for a buddy and we are about to start working up a load for it.


Thanks
Jim

 

[ShootDots]

Shootdots,

What is your Freebore?

I just had a 260ai built for a buddy and we are about to start working up a load for it.


Thanks
Jim

It is .168 with a .295neck.. I turn the necks to 13K wall thickness and use a .291 bushing. That gives me right at 1K neck tension and just shy of 4K clearance. A base to ogive with the Berger LRBT is 2.293 just touching the lands and for today's shoot, I set them at 2.288, 5K off the lands... Next time out, I will go from 15K into the lands to 20K off.

 

[rockcreek1]

Thanks. Mine has a .180 Freebore and a No-Turn tight neck(Lapua Brass) .2975 neck.

I appreciate the info. We just had both a 260rem & 260ai built to the same Freebore and neck size, so we are anxious to get started shooting and comparing them.


Thanks again,
Jim

 

[ShootDots]

Thanks. Mine has a .180 Freebore and a No-Turn tight neck(Lapua Brass) .2975 neck.

I appreciate the info. We just had both a 260rem & 260ai built to the same Freebore and neck size, so we are anxious to get started shooting and comparing them.


Thanks again,
Jim

In mine, the fireforming load that shot the best was a Berger 130 VLD set 15K into the lands in front of 43.5grs of H4350. It shot just about 1.25" @ 300 yards. That should be good enough to shoot at a 600 yard competition (F-Open) and do fairly well. I doubt you would win with that load, but you won't come in last either!

 

[rockcreek1]

ShootDots,

Thanks for the info.


Jim

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

Did you go with a .260AI over the 6.5X47 because the 6.5X47 wasn't giving you enough with the 140's?

 

[ShootDots]

Did you go with a .260AI over the 6.5X47 because the 6.5X47 wasn't giving you enough with the 140's?

No Sir... I have another 6.5 x 1-8.5 barrel in my stock. I intend, in the not too distant future, to build another 6.5 x 47 Lapua. For the time being, I merely wanted to try something new! I have shot nearly everything the shooting community has to offer. However, I have not tried the .260 A.I. So, I wanted to see how this little fire-breather performs. I like "new to me" cartridges that I think have great potential. I got one of the first 6.5 x 47's in this country. It was so new that I had a bit of searching to do to get brass for it. Now it is one of my fav cartridges and it's easy to see why. So I wanted to see the .260A.I. as a "new to me" cartridge to see how I like it! My reasoning is just that simple.