Wow- New Shilen 260AI barrel is a shooter!

[savageboy]

Just a quick update on the Shilen barrel, we (Mr Wade Hull- Pres. Shilen bbl) and I decided to just shoot the barrel with the existing throating. My last Shilen 260AI shot the Lapua 139's lights out, but wouldn't shoot Berger 140's no matter what I did- powder changes, seating depth changes. So I used the Lapua's all last season w/ very good results.
It has been in the low 60's and sunny here in NC & I have been breaking in and doing some load dev. w/ the new barrel the last 2 days and I got several groups- best w/ a 10 thou. Jam w/ the Berger 140's (Target- thick jacket) that I have been wanting to shoot due to their very high BC and quailty, that was unbelievable. 4 touching and 1 opening it up a bit at 110yds. I need a bit more velocity as I purposly decreased the powder charges from my other bbl and the Rem. brass I was using during break in and load development. I am now using Lapua 308 brass necked down to .264 and fire formed to the AI chamber w/ turned necks to 14 thou thickness w/ a K&N turner.
It looks like I really have a shooter here! Now for some more velocity. I was shooting at 2783 Ave FPS w/ 16 ES and 8 SD (best es and sd of the day). H4831SC, Fed 210M primers, Berger 140VLD w/ a 10 thou jam. When I get 2940+ fps- or the next accuracy node around there I will be a very happy camper (or F class shooter). My last barrel got 2930ish FPS w/ the Lapua 139's and was 2" shorter.

 

[Dadams]

could you pm me some load info with the 4831sc I am going to be loading for my 260ai soon. thanks davey

 

[300rumfan]

I use the berger 140 molys(thin jacket) and 48.5gr H4831sc with 5thousandths jam. Accuracy is awesome and zero pressure sign on my 40x action. This is my first 260ai and I just wonder what the barrel life will be.....im at 1200 rounds now and have a fear that its going to drop off shortly at any time......what kinda round count are yall getting?

 

[300rumfan]

Oh and im using Norma 260 brass from graf and sons. Very pleased with the quality primer pockets are still tight after 7 reloadings.

 

[savageboy]

I sold my 1st barrel at about 800 ish rounds and bore scoped it b4 selling. It still looked very good. My new longer heaver barrel came in so I sold the other one, but it was shooting as good as new when I sold it. Never used one up yet.

 

[Gadget]

Hi,
We have 3 new 6.5 AI guns being worked up at my club all from the same reamer and gunsmith.
Each of us have done our own testing for load develoment and we all came up with the same results.
48.3g VV165 ,BR2 , Lap 139g moly, on the lands to 15th off, Lap .243 brass nk up, @2910 fps with no presure at all, a very cool ( temp cool ) load. The seating is the only thing we all have different.
And they all shoot well, the smith and I have Trueflight 34" barrels on order so we will give them a go, current barrels were all 28" or 29" re chambered .260's.
It looks like this could be a winning combination.

Gadget

 

[Hyde]

Well my Shilen Select match 260AI is in the works. I know absolutely nothing about this round..I got stuck building it. The gun is a Rem 700 trued ect, Shilen Select Match barrel, Rifle Basics trigger,HS PST 25 stock, Badger Ord. 20moa pic rail, Mark 4 rings, Leupold 8.5-25x50 LRT. I bought some ole Corbon 123VLD, 139 Lapua and 142 SMK to break barrel in and just see what the factory stuff would do. Hopefully you guys can help me thru this 260AI. Hyde