Is it possible to drive a 130 grain bullet at 2900+ fps out of a 24" barrel? Does anyone have load data to achieve 2900+ fps?

Bobby B.

out of a 22 inch barrel, I recently used IMR 4350 data, for a 140 grain bullet... but worked up substituting RL 17 instead..

I got an MV of 2800 fps..

so I should say that 2900 with a 130 would be feasible..

Hornady's manual lists like 28 or 2900 with a 129...
or use Nosler's manual with 125 gr load data and carefully work up..

Hi Bobby B. I am getting around 3000fps (2985fps average)with 129gn SST and 47.5gn AR2209 (H4350). I worked up to this at 0.5gn at a time. There were no pressure signs and appears safe in my rifle - Kimber Montana. Haven't tried anything hotter.

Cheers, Chris

Unless you are lucky with your barrel, you might struggle.

My custom barreled Sako 75 will run 120gr Sierra PH's or NBT's to around 2920-2940FPS. I start to get pressure signs if I step the pressure up above this. At 3000FPS I am getting very clear extractor marks on the case head and flattened primers.

im loading 42.0 grs of RL-15 with a 120 sierra sp. and a 22" ruger M-77 S.S. shot over croney at 2920 FPS.. i get 2970 with W-760. but my groups are not as tight. I dont let 50 fps stand in my way of accurace..

quote:

Originally posted by vines:
im loading 42.0 grs of RL-15 with a 120 sierra sp. and a 22" ruger M-77 S.S. shot over croney at 2920 FPS.. i get 2970 with W-760. but my groups are not as tight. I dont let 50 fps stand in my way of accurace..

Vines, I would agree, this is about where the 260 is at it's best. I think that trying to get 130gr's up to 3000FPS is asking a bit much from this little case.

Try some RL-17.

I shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor and load RL-17. The .260 case and the Creedmoor case are similar in capacity with the .260 holding a tad more.

I get 2975 fps with the 139 gr Lapua Scenar.

My friends who load H-4350 get anywhere from 2750 to 2850.

Claret_Dabbler .. I would also agree that is a bit much asking.. if he wants a 130 to go 3000+ fps he needs a .270 win. and have safe pressure.

Just to clarify things, I'm looking for loads that will push a 130 bullet to 2900 fps or a wee bit more. Not looking for 3000 fps, not even 2950.

Bobby B.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Try some RL-17.

I get 2975 fps with the 139 gr Lapua Scenar.

.

I need to try some RL17. That is about 300fps better than anything on the Hodgdon database.

3000FPS with a 140gr bullet is maxing out a 270win at well over 60K psi.

My loads get 2780 w/22" bbl and IMR4350, accuracy......VERY GOOD, TIGHT!

I would not worry about more speed if your accuracy is like mine....seriously.

That said, I have H4350 to replace the IMR. My expectations based on others use, is that I will get likely 2850-2900.

If you achieve a max safe load and great accuracy w/that bullet, as I have found, everything else will take care of itself if the driver does their part

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
Just to clarify things, I'm looking for loads that will push a 130 bullet to 2900 fps or a wee bit more. Not looking for 3000 fps, not even 2950.

Bobby B.

Bobby, sorry if we went off the point. 2900fps with a 130gr may well be achievable. Try some of the medium powders listed, H4350, RL17 or 19. Like the other guys, I would take accuracy over an extra 50fps any day of the week.

Thanks, guys.

As for accuracy over velocity, I agree to a point. In a hunting load, I wouldn't give up 100 fps to gain a 1/2" at 200 yards. Would I give up 50 fps to gain 1.0", probably although I would still search for a load which would provide accuracy and velocity.

Here in Alberta, the whitetail are large, often dressing out around the 250-300 lb mark. In addition, the WT are often shot in an open field so shots can be long. In the past, I've killed my deer with my 7 RM.

Right now, I'm having a rifle built chambered for the 260 Rem. I believe a 130 grain 6.5 bullet at 2900 fps SHOULD kill big WT out to 400 maybe 500 yds. I intend to find out. I also want to use this rifle for Metallic Silhouette.

Bobby B.

Even using slower powders like RL22 or IMR7828ssc, I doubt you can get much mor ethan 2900fps safely, maybe, your bbl will decide. I can get there w/ my 260ai in a 27" bbl. Even then, it's pushing hard. I can get 120gr to 3000fps+, 130 to 2900fps+ & 140 to 2800fps+. All w/ 1/2moa accuracy or better.

OP, 2850-2900 is reasonable. 260AI's have used 140 amax to deadly effect on deer I have read, to 600-650yds, but I would be very well prepared in every way before shooting at a known range, inc. wind conditions.

500 yds is not out of the read of a 130 AB in a stout safe 260 load IMHO.

My 6BR dropped one at 400 double lunged w/105 amax at 2850.

Power is not your concern. Shot placement will be when you level down on deer.

Enjoy, you are choosing a perfect round for your use, shootable, and deadly.

"3000FPS with a 140gr bullet is maxing out a 270win at well over 60K psi."

I'm not sure about that, it should be able to achieve at least 308 velocities considering a smaller bullet but larger case, and a 308 can achieve 2900+ with 155's.

Over the past 2 seasons, I have killed 5 deer and 1 moose with my 7 RM loaded with the Berger 168 VLD. I've been quite impressed with the terminal ballistics of that bullet and now want to see what the 130 6.5 VLD will do on deer. If the 260 will kill deer as effectively as I suspect it will, I'll be packing my 260 rather than my 7 RM. The 7 RM is a great shooting rifle and certainly has the punch required for deer at any reasonable range. What I want is something with less recoil and less weight, that's the point behind my building a 260 Rem.

I know some do not respect the use of Berger VLD's on game but my experience so far has been excellent. If the VLD does not live up to expectations, I can always resort to the Accubond.

Thanks to all for their comments, it would seem the 260 should be able to drive a 130 at around 2900 fps. Maybe I'll start load experimentation with H4350. It appears that RL17 or RL 19 are also good candidates. Judging from my Nosler manual, RL22 shows promise as well.

Bobby B.

I just looked at my load data using the 129 gr. SST. It avearged 2912 fps out of a 24" Krieger 1 in 8 twist barrel. I had no pressure signs in my rifle. Accuacy was OK in .75 to 1.00 MOA at 100 yards for 5 shots.

I tested loads up to 46.2 and started to see pressure signs. Accuacy went south at 46 gr.

The load is as follows:

45.6 gr of H4350
Rem. Brass
CCI BR-2 primer
129 gr. Hornady SST

Standard disclaimers apply. I hope this helps some.

PaPa 260

I shoot 45.5 grains of H4831sc behind a 140 Hornady AMAX out of a 26" barrel at 2791fps. Whitetail or groundhog at 500 yards!! 600,700, 800.....no matter! The AMAX's perform like VMAXS..........I really wonder what is the difference in the construction of the bullets. The AMAXS definitely are accurate! The AMAXs definitely open up and perform like a hunting bullet rather than a target bullet. I can live with 2791 vs 2900 or 3000 with the accuracy it gives. And the darn little short 260 is about to have the same respect as GOD'S chosen caliber, the 25-06!!!! NOT!! Seriously folks, the 260 with the heavier bullets is something to be looked at for long range shooting!!!GHD

I load 47.0 grains of H4831 for Hornady 129 gr. SST bullets in weight-sorted Remington brass. My 26" barrelled Tikka 595 produces an average muzzle velocity of 2903 fps. and 3-shot groups of 0.95 inch at 200 meters. Less than 1/2 MOA.