I am getting my mauser re barreled to a 260. Gunsmith wants some brass and bullets to set it up. Rather than just taking a wild guess, I thought I would ask your opinions. Rifle will be used for targets and deer, it might go west a time or two, but I do have a 300 win for the bigger stuff. Which bullet would you guys go with? I shoot Accubonds and SGK's in the 300 win( 180's). Thanks

For target work I use the Sierra 142 with IMR 4831, H380 and a few other powders.

Your gunsmith probably wants some loaded cartridges so he can test fire it after he has cut your chamber,and or brass to headspace it,if he doesn,t have any headspace gauges for that caliber. Test fire rounds doesn,t matter what they are.van

quote:

Originally posted by van:
Your gunsmith probably wants some loaded cartridges so he can test fire it after he has cut your chamber,and or brass to headspace it,if he doesn,t have any headspace gauges for that caliber. Test fire rounds doesn,t matter what they are.van

This is most likely.....and it's best if you can get him ammo loaded FL resized on the dies you use.....or are going to use.

Ask him directly if he intends to use your ammo as a headspace gage.....it works but isn't the right thing to do.....I've done it but regret it.....it's just not right.

I think he said he wanted it for throating. I am also sending him my diea. He wanted the longest bullet I was going to shoot.

If your smithy wants a dummy round for throating, send him a case w/ the bullet you want to use, seated where you want it, & tell him how many .001" off the lands you want it throated. If he wants test rounds, I would send him a few factory rounds. I like the 142grSMK & the new 123grSMK for target. Mine is a target rifle but I would probably use the 125grNP for hunting or the 120grNAB when they become available.

Thanks Guys

Not much point in throating for a bullet that the barrel hasn't got the twist to stabilise - I would check what twist it is.

Assuming it'll handle 140s then I would suggest you got it throated for a middle of the road 120gr BT or 125gr partition or 129gr Hornady soft point. That way you will still fit 140s and not have too much of a jump for 100s. As the barrel wears you can chase the throat with 140s.

125gr partition is a fantastic bullet.

quote:

Mine is a target rifle but I would probably use the 125grNP for hunting or the 120grNAB when they become available.

fredj338, 6.5mm nosler AB's will be 130's not 120's when they become availible.

Twist will be 1 in 8"

quote:

Originally posted by James Johnston:

quote:

Mine is a target rifle but I would probably use the 125grNP for hunting or the 120grNAB when they become available.

fredj338, 6.5mm nosler AB's will be 130's not 120's when they become availible.

They are already out
http://www.noslershop.com/cgi-bin/virtualcatalog/Catalo...sts&displayNumber=55

With a 1 in 8, I'd go with the heavy bullets, brass is sometimes hard to find, you can neck up .243 if you have to.

Thanks james, I went to look up the NAB & saw they will be 130gr. I think that's even better.
I make my .260ai brass from Lapua .243, very nice stuff.

Make a dummy round with a 140 grain Corelokt, seated to the second cannelure, and give that to your gunsmith... with that, you will have a throat available to shoot ANY hunting bullet under 140 grains you want...

It will also do fine with the 142 grain Sierra Match bullets...

If you are nostalgic and want to use the 160 grain Round Nose, make a dummy round with a Hornady seated to the cannelure and have your gunsmith throat the barrel to take that also..

Then you will be set for about anything made for a 6.5 that strikes your fancy...