I have a XP-100R in 260 Rem. I have loaded some rounds with IMR-3031,but at 38 grs. the max I get is 2650 fps with a 120 gr. Nosler BT. I've gone as much as 40 grs. with no change. There is no sign of pressure yet. I'm needing advice or loading data for a faster burning powder. I'm thinking about IMR4198 or H322. Does anyone have any advise or loading data to give me? I'm trying to reach 2800+ fps. as long as the pressure is not to high.

Thanks,
Todd tdcooper1@msn.com

TD,
Congratualtions on the XP. My mid-grip XP in 22 BR is so accurate if sometimes scares me. I bet your 260 will also prove to be very accurate. This excerpt on the 260 Rem is from "The Hornady Handbook, 5h Ed." (rifle section):
'...Many powders can be used effectively in the 260 Remington. In general for light bullets use IMR 4831 or H4350 and the heavy ones IMR 7828 and H4831. This cartridge performs best when stoked w/ medium-slow to slow burning powders and w/ these powders the best consistency is found using mid range loads and up..."

Max velocity (2900 fps in a 24" barrel) w/ the Hornady 129 gr bullet as follows:
IMR 4831/45.7 gr
RL 19/47.9 gr
RL 22/49.1 gr
H4831/49.9 gr
VV N-165/49.3 gr
Win WMR/49.9 gr

This manual doesn't show any loads w/ IMR 3031. I don't have any personal experience loading the 260 Rem, but 3031 seems to have a little too fast burning rate to enable it to work real well in this cartridge. Might check the IMR website (www.imrpowder.com/).

"Hodgdon Basic Reloaders Manual 2002," shows the follwing 4 loads w/ highest velocity (24" barrel w/ 120 gr bullet):
H414/45.5 gr/2968 fps
H4350/46.5 gr/2960 fps
H4831/50.0 gr(c)/2954 fps
Benchmark/40.0 gr/2935 fps

Your load's velocity look very respectable for a short barrel. W/ max rifle loads running about 2950 fps, I doubt you'll safely get 2800 fps from a 8-10" shorter barrel. Looks like you may want to look at some slower burning powders. Gary T.

[ 11-30-2003, 03:24: Message edited by: Gary T ]

Faster powders are not the answer. The highest velocity in the 6.5x308 I had came from H4350. 46 grains of this propellant along with the 120 grain Nosler BT gave 2693 fps (@ 15'); the load was max. The barrel length on my pistol, by the way, was 14".

Also, 2800 fps may not be realistic and would be pushing the envelope well into the red zone.

Check out what I wrote in the "Handgun Hunting" category. Some good loads but you may not be able to reach the 2800fps without some problems.

Mike