A few months back I bought two new Rem 700 CDL SF Limited Editions in 260 Rem; one for me and one for my 18 yr old daughter. She went back to Texas for a short spell, so I took her's, with the prettier stock and made it mine. Snooze you Loose!

I had Guy Malmborg of Salt Lake City freefloat, pillar bed, tune trigger to 2 lbs and clean up the crown. He called the crown "PERFECT". I mounted a mint Vari-X III 4.5-14x40 "Tactical" Mildot in Talley 1" Lever Release rings and bases.

I broke in the bore with 20 rounds of 120 Sierra HP's and H4895. 1/1/1/5/5/5, between cleanings with Hoppes #9 and Barnes CR10.

I ran a search on this site for good 260 load data and compiled an excel spread sheet what loads were the most popular.

I then started buying up components to start with. I ended up with 13 bullets and 7 different powders.

Sierra 120 spitzer ProHunter
-------140 BTSP Game King
Speer 120 Hot Core
-------140 Hot Core
Nosler 120 Ballistic Tip
-------130 Accubond
-------140 Custom Competion HPBT
Hornady129 InterLock
-------140 Interlock
-------140 Amax
Barnes 120 TSX
-------120 TTSX
-------130 TSX

H414
H4895
H4350
H4831sc
Rel 19
Rel 22
IMR 4064

Bought 100 new Nosler cases and other than running them through a Lee collet neck die, did not touch a thing.

Had to pound the streets hard to find 2-1000 count bricks of Fed 210M primers.

With such a variance of available data I decided to run a pressure/accuracy test with out buring up tons of componets and barrel life. If powder X had a max charge of 50 gr with a 120 gr bullet, I'd load up 3 charges; 48, 49 and 50 gr. I fire it for both group and pressure signs. I saw zero pressure, slight pressure and PRESSURE accompanied by hard bolt lift.

Two 100 shot days gave me a bunch of data to go by. An interesting thing to note is the average group size for 66 groups is 1.39". This little rifle can shoot. I had stuff range from .48" to just over 3". For the most part this little thing can shoot. I said that, didn't I! And that's with groups with a 2-grain range. I hope it's not a fluke and the groups really tighten once I load the same powder charge in 3 cases.

So far the Nosler 140 HPBT Custom Competion is smoking the rest. Three of the 5 powder's I've tried have provided .48", .52" and .60" groups. The other two run 1.125" and 1.54".

Their are at least 10 sub moa groups in addition to the 3 just mentioned.

Next weekend, if the weather cooperates, I'll got back out with loads with the same powder charge in them and see what happens.

Stay tuned!

quote:

Originally posted by GSSP:
Next weekend, if the weather cooperates, I'll got back out with loads with the same powder charge in them and see what happens.

Stay tuned!

Let us know how she works....IMO the .260 Remington is the most underappreciated cartridge a going.....it just might be the best thing to ever happen to the .308 case!

GSSP,
I would be very interested in any loading data you would be willing to share. I had a .260 built and am waiting on some good weather when I'm home to see what it will do. I love the caliber and am excited to wring it out.

This is a very accurate cartridge given a decent platform like your M700. I had one in a Savage bull-barreled target/tactical rifle and it shot extremely well. I sold it to another guy I shot against and he promptly whipped my ass at 600 yards with it.

Cliff,


Do you want my preliminary data or my finished product in a few weeks?

Alan

I don't mind waiting until you're done, especially if its easier for you.

Alan, I to would be interested in your results. I've got a .260 in a Ruger M77 that I'm trying to work up loads for. Keep us posted!!

FC 308 brass, IMR4350/44.0, 130 AB, 3/4" 3 shots at 200yds, barrel cooled, shot 2 more into 5/8"....again 200 yds.

2780 Mv 22" bbl.

6.5BR,

That's a good load "and" good shootin!

Alan

i to have a .260 rem. in a ruger M-77 ..the best combo i have worked up for hunting is 42.0 grs of RL-15 with a 120 sierra,WLR primer, shoots about .75 at 100 meters,shot over croney at 2920 fps

Vines,

I appreciate the load data. For the record, I'm not one to shy away from pressure or over max loads, but from what I can determine your around 3 gr and 100 fps over book. Please share more data on the load you offered, what you're seeing as far as pressure signs, etc.

Thanks,

Alan

Alan

I have a 24" 260 Encore TC Custom barrel and I shoot 120gr Nosler BT over Hogdgon Varget.

Very accurate, took a 117 lb. doe yesterday afternoon at 110 yds. Shot all the way through both shoulders.

Anyway you may want to try the Varget.

Have a Happy New Year

GSSP..
With the book i was loading with, I am one gr. over max. If you take a look at the reloading page in front of this reloading forums. you will see these guys loaded 43 grs. with a 120... and the fps to mine are about the same. i have no pressure signs at all. not even a flat primer. you can start with about 40 or 41-grs. and work up slow

49.0
3028
0.573
SIERRA 120 MATCH KING

50.0
3104
0.547

51.0
3175
0.335

52.0
3226
0.618

44.0 H 4831
2626
0.936

45.0
2663
0.655

46.0
2741
1.081

47.0
2835
0.471

48.0
2906
1.070

49.0
2984
0.911

47.0 WMR
2748
0.800

48.0
2826
1.325

49.0
2893
0.898

50.0
2969
0.630

51.0
2975
0.688

52.0
3041
0.440

42.0 RELOADER 15
3010
0.413

43.0
3091
0.543

Yep! That's data!

Just like your math teacher wants; show your work.

Good stuff.

Thanks,

Alan

quote:

H414
H4895
H4350
H4831sc
Rel 19
Rel 22
IMR 4064

of all the powders you have there...

for I'd spend time with IMR 4064, H 414 and H 4350 first...

contrary to popular opinion, in my experience H 4831sc, RL 19 and RL 22 are too slow except for 140 grain bullets and heavier....

H 4895 is worthless in my book, as it has too many fickle variations and inconsistencies to it...substitute IMr 4895 and then you have something you can work with, that gives excellent results in the 260...

pretty much my experience with the 260...

powders you don't have that I would highly recommend that give excellent performance across the board in the 260.... RL 15, W 748, ( W 760 is the same as H 414),Varget, BLC 2 AA 2520, IMR 3031...

The only finicky bullet I have ever had in the 260 has been the 95 grain V Max...

I've listed powders that worked very well, but the 260 is almost like the 223 in the fact that it is harder to find a powder that DOESN'T work well in it....

the powders that you and seafire2 mentioned i would start with 4064 0r 414. i have shot 4064 with good results. i have not shot 414.. but mine did not like slow powders, like 19, 4831, the slowest i would try would be 4350, i guess because i dont like to shoot highly compressed loads..

Ok, I'm not done yet but here is some preliminary data. I've put 500 rounds down the tube so far. I've used 100 new Nosler cases primed with Fed 210M primers. I use the Lee Collet neck die, and Redding BR micrometer die. My OAL is usually right around 2.825" give or take .005"; about .010" short of mag length. This is prelim data so I've not played with seating depth yet.

After the 4th round I used the Redding FL die to partial size the case and push the shoulder back .003" since things were getting a bit tight; followed by the Lee neck die again to set the neck tension where I want it.

As I said before, I ran a search on favorite 260 load data here on the AR and came up with a number of favorites. I used Steve's pages for max loads except it's way over the Barnes data and I was getting pressure signs.

I would take the top load and subtract 2 gr. For example, I'd shoot a 42, 43 and 44 of xyz powder, all in one group. This took two full rounds (200 rounds). From there I looked at the 3-shot groups that were 1.5" or smaller.

This has taken 3 rounds to get to where I am now. Here is what I've got so far.

Oh yeah, these loads do "not" show pressure in my rifle. Please use standard loading procedures to work up to what I'm publishing here and I won't accept responsibilty for your mishaps. There, that should keep the lawyers happy; I hope!

120 tsx
43 gr H4350 = 1.06"
43.5 gr H4350 = .5"

120 ttsx
43 gr H4350 = .25"
43.g gr H4350 = 1.43"

120 Sierra 120 Prohunter
37 gr IMR 4064 = .98"
48 gr Rel 19 = 2.02"

120 Nosler BT (FYI)
38,39,40,51 gr IMR 4064 = .70"
47 gr Rel 19 = .77"

129 Hornady IL
48 gr Rel 22 = 1.1"
49.5 gr H4831sc = 1.3"

130 Nosler Accubond
47 gr Rel 19 = 1.19"
48 gr Rel 22 = 1.5"
48.5 gr Rel 22 = 1.97"
49 gr Rel 22 = 2.07"
47.5 gr H4831sc = 1.85"

125 Nosler Partition
47.2 gr H4831sc = 1.22"
43.3 gr H4350 = 1.1"
44.2 gr H4350 = .55"
42 gr H414 = 1.73"
43.5 gr H414 = 2.5"
43 gr H414 = 1.73"

140 Nosler 140 Partition
45.2 gr H4831sc = .87"
45.7 gr H4831sc = .85"
41.6 gr H4350 = 1.65"
41.9 gr H4350 = 2.33"
50 gr H1000 = .9"
50.5 gr H1000 = .69"
51 gr H1000 = 1.63"

130 Barnes TSX
44 gr Rel 19 = 3"
44.5 gr Rel 19 = 2.2"
45 gr Rel 19 = 1.82"
47 gr Rel 22 = 1.68"
42 gr H4350 = .47"
47 gr H4831sc = 2.22"

140 Sierra SBT Game King
44.5 gr Rel 19 = 1.6"
45 gr Rel 19 = 1.82"
43 gr H4350 = .77"

140 Speer Hotcore
45 gr Rel 19 = 1.1"
45.2 gr H4831sc = 1.64" and 1.19"

140 Hornady IL
44.7 gr H4831sc = .86"
45.2 gr H4831sc = .56"
45.7 gr H4831sc = .95" and 1.26"
46 gr Rel 22 = 1"
43.5 gr H4350 = .77"

140 Nosler Custom Comp HPBT (I "threw" these on from my Harrels custom powder meter)
H4350
74.2 clicks = 2.03"
74.5 clicks = 1.45"
75.2 clicks = .81"

Most data I ran over my Ohler M33 Chronograph. Today, I spaced it and forgot to bring it.

Good stuff Alan. I'll be anxious to see how she responds to seating depth options.

Excellant info Alan, thanks alot for sharing this. One question I had, how are you measuring your OAL, with a StoneyPoint/Hornady tool or something else that measures off the ogive? Thanks again.

I have a Kimber 84 Montana that I ran 120 gr Barns TTSX's through today.

First I wanted to determined what my best COAL was. In the Barns test their most accurate test with the 260 was IMR 44.5 with a COAL of 2.705. I loaded 3 rounds each with IMR 44.5 starting with a COAL of 2.690 and increasing the COAL in .015 increments. I found in my rifle that the 2.690 and 2.705 were the best groups and as I increased the COAL the groups started spreading out and increased the greater the COAL got. I settled on 2.700. All my shots were over a Chrono, the 2.690 produced Vel of 2818-2849-2836, the 2.705 was 2830-2836-2842.

My goal was to get over 2900 with no pressure signs. I loaded 45gr of IMR 4350 at a COAL 0f 2.700 and 45.5 gr of IMR 4350 at a COAL of 2.70. The 45 gr shot 1/2 inch with vel of 2911-2911-2904, the 45.5 shot a 3 inch gr with vel 2962-2982-2962. I than loaded 3 rounds at 44.8 and they were about3/4 inch.

My best load of the day:
Barns Rem260 TTSX
45 gr of IMR 4350
Rem brass and primers
COAL of2.700
1/2 inch gr and over 2900 fps and no pressure signs.

I had agreat day, Thanks all

Sorry GSSP I posted on your wrong thread, I thought this was the 6.5 TTSX.

PLus I copied the TSX Column instead of the TTSX from my BOOK, they shot the same in my rifle.

TSX `TTSX
2.705 2.765
2.690 2.750
2.700 2.760

Cobrajet,

If I was able to seat off the lands I'd use my Stoney point and the bullets ogive but due to short mag restrictions, I have to measure off the bullts tip. Suffice to say I'm at least .025" or more from ogive to lands on all the bullets, especially the Tangent ogive style like the Hornady Amax.