Saturday, I went out to the range to test some loads for velocity. I was hping to get 2900 fps with a 130 Berger and a 24" barrel with a 8.5" twist.

The brass was Lapua .243 first necked up to .257 then up to .264.

Bullet was the 130 Berger Hunting VLD I intend to kill deer with. The bullet was seated to touch the lands.

Velocities were as follows;
RL 19 46 grains 2908, 29918, 2891, 2876
RL 19 46.5 2901 extractor mark

IMR4831 45 grains 2911, 2930, 2892

H4350 44 grains 2870, 2860, 2873
H4350 44.5 2865, 2906, 2907
H4350 45 3014, 3026, 3022

I was very impressed with the H4350. Not only were velocities high but they were very consistent. A 130 grain bullet at 3000+ fps is very similar to the .270 WCF but with the advantages of SD and BC.

The 'dreaded donut' was evident in the fired cases so I will inside ream.

My intent is to load the H4350 again with 8 loads of 44.5 and 8 loads of 45 grains of powder the shoot 4 shot groups at 200 yds. This way, I can compare to groups of the same load as well as the two different loads of powder weight.

Once I complete this test, I will juggle bullet seating depths.

This fall, I plan on testing the 6.5 130 Berger VLD on deer and, if I can find one, moose.

I do not believe the Berger VLD is the end-all-be-all. I simply want to explore its performance in the 260 Rem cartridge.

Bobby B.

quote:

H4350 45 3014, 3026, 3022

This is .270 performance.....and that's a lot.

I have a .260 and a 6.5 X 55 and find them to be roughly equivalent.....and superb deer cartridges....have a ball! You have a real load there!

Try some RL-17 if you want velocity. I was getting real close to 3000 with a 140 gr Lapua in my 6.5 Creedmoor with a touch over 43 grains. You should be able to push that 130 Berger in the .260 case, which has a larger capacity than the Creedmoor, well over 3000 fps with RL-17.

I do plan on experimenting with some RL 17 loads when I can get my hands on some powder.

Bobby B.

Rel 17 will defineatley step this up a notch. I'm pushing the 140 VLD and 140 Accbonds to 2900 fps in a 26" 6.5x47 Lapua.

Alan

I like H4350 in my 260ai for 120-142gr bullets. Best vel comes w/ IMR7828ssc & compressed loads. Acuracy is pretty good too. H4831sc works well too. I did not get the accuracy I wanted using RL19.

I'm not a hotrodder.

Here's my 260 rem load.




Works for me!

GWB

Geedubya,

There's only one hole there. Where did the other 2 shots go?

Bobby B.

Funny you should ask!

I find it much easier to shoot one hole groups when I only fire one time. I'd say about 75% of the time I can get one hole groups that way. You should try it. It will really shrink your groups!
Best
GWB

I know what you mean, my best groups are always 1 shot groups. I prefer to quit when I'm still ahead, or atleast not too far behind.

I appreciate your sense of humour.

Bobby B.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:
Funny you should ask!

I find it much easier to shoot one hole groups when I only fire one time. I'd say about 75% of the time I can get one hole groups that way. You should try it. It will really shrink your groups!
Best
GWB

Does that look like the diameter of a pencil... or is that just me who thinks that?