Would welcome any comments on what I've embarked upon. Having a Ruger #1 in a 260 Remington built - Lilja barrel, #4 contour, 24", 8" twist. Accurizing work, as well - new trigger, forend hanger, etc..

Why? Ummm - well, always wanted a single shot for target shooting and hunting.

Hunting I will limit to deer-size animals. Target shooting, I will yield to the real benchresters but will very much enjoy working up the right loads to shoot sub-1/2" groups.

Part of my thinking is to shoot a relatively heavy-for-caliber bullet that should penetrate well when launched in the 2,700-2,800 fps range. At least, should be OK for well-hit deer up to 250 yds, maybe even 300. Don't have any illusions about reliably clean kills beyond that distance, though. (Made that mistake and don't want to go back!)

Thinking those 140 or 142 grain Sierra Matchking bullets should target shoot well with this twist too.

Anyway, looking for any observations or suggestions. Thanks!

(also posted under target and benchrest forum)

Were it my money I'd get a longer barrel but otherwise it sounds like you're building a very nice rifle. I'm told the lighter 107 grain MK are worth a try too. Keep us posted.

I have a 6BR fast twist, killed deer out to 400 yds with 105's.

Oh, it is a #1 with 26", I think a 260 or 6.5x55 will be nice for deer.

My 6BR is sweet for targets through deer on selected shots.

Oh, I get 1/2" and it can do better for 5 shots.

Kepplinger trigger-highly recommended.

HT While I love the Ruger #1 and also respect the .260 Rem I would have to recomend the 6.5/06 as the longer case is easier to load in a scope sighted Ruger #1. Performance with the 6.5/06 would also be superior as well. Either way good luck and enjoy.

In the number one, with it's short action length, I would go with a 26" barrel. More velocity, and still a shorter OAL than a bolt action with a 24" barrel.

John

I've had a few built using the Lilja #4 it's almosta perfect fit for teh factory "B" forend. I think you will do well. I use a .260 for pigs, it's a great cartridge. I like teh shorter barrel lengths myself but even with a 26" barrel, the overall length is still shorter than turn- bolt of the same barrel length.

Michael

As to the 'longer length' of the 6.5/06, another I would recommend and agree as to easier loading, would be the 6.5x55 Swede.

In a 26", velocity is very nice, some shooters approach 6.5/06 and 264WM performance with long barrel life, no case forming, less recoil/blast, etc.

And accuracy is proven and great brass i.e. Lapua available.

That would be my 1st choice even though the 260 is a great round.

I intend to build one if Ruger refuses to chamber #1's in rounds I shoot.

I love my #1s but not for short carts. You have no mag. restriction so why not go long? If you have to have shorter, then a 6.5x.284 makes a bit of cense, you can load the longer bullets out where you can use the extra powder cap. A 1-8 twist is fine for longer bullets but I would go at least 26", the rifle is so short anyway, might as well get the extra perf.

Thanks for the feedback. I did think long and hard about the 6.5 Swede, and even considered a 264 Win Mag in a 28" barrel. The Ruger #1 configuration would make that very doable.

But I want to try a very mild, accurate cartridge in this caliber, and the 260 seems the best balance between target mostly and hunting some. We'll see.

I am becoming uncertain about the 24" barrel. Was in Reno this weekend and handled some of Ruger's display rifles. Think the 26" might be the way to go, mainly because the balance of the rifle should be better, and the muzzle blast a bit less. Not particularly interested in the small bit of extra velocity that I would get from the extra 2" of barrel. Not being overbore (like the 264), the gain would be small and accuracy comes first in my experiment here.

Will talk to the gunsmith tomorrow on that topic. Again, thanks for the feedback.

H T, if you do some research, you will learn that the Swede is within 2 grains case capacity, fine Lapua brass and Norma if you want premium brass, and many get better and not less than equal accuracy vs the 260.

I have owned and shot both, like both, but my vote goes to the Swede, no benefit of a short action round here but the Swede would be slightly easier to load and I think more accurate. If Ruger made a 260, I would shoot it, but prefer the Swede.

I plan to build a #1 myself in 6.5 bore, and it will be a Swede. You have a longer neck which can handle longer bullets if desired and OAL is not limited in the #1. I believe the longer neck is more accurate with the Swede and lots of target shooters use it WITHOUT having to reform say 243 Lapua into 260 and then turning brass, and or removing a 'donut'

Trust me, it will be easier, have more potential accuracy, velocity, and its a classic.

You likely won't be disappointed with a 260, but if you want the best in accuracy, my recommendation is the 6.5x55.

Hi HT.
I like both the 260 and the 6.5X55mm and of the two the 6.5X55mm would be my choice of the rounds mentioned so far. But, you said " I want to try a very mild, accurate cartridge in this caliber". Here's another option if you don't mind a "semi" wildcat.
I have a Ruger #3 re-barreled by EABCO to 6.5mm BRM (bench rest magnum). This is a 30/30 case necked to 6.5mm, minimal taper, and shoulder moved forward. It's basically the .219 Wasp in 6.5mm. It almost equals the 6.5X55 and is very accurate. Google EABCO for details.
I'm also in the San Diego area and shoot at the So. Bay Rod&Gun Club range. If you happen to shoot there too send me a PM if you want to check out the rifle/cartridge sometime.

Jon

Thanks, Gentlemen for the views. The die is cast on the 260 as the chambering choice, though the 6.5 Swede is also a great cartridge. I did however finalize today a 26" barrel instead of the 24. Pick it up in April, if I don't make any more changes. (pretty excited, by the way!)

So now we'll see.... :>

and again, thanks.

I would also go for a Swede.. look at the new swift sirroco 130 grain bullet.. BC of .571!

Should make an exellent rifle!!

Good for you for hanging tough with the 260 rem. I did the same and for the same reasons. I went for a very long heavy barrel, 27.5 in Pac Nor, medium palma, 8 in twist. I like the balance and how steady she holds with the muzzle weight. Mine is for lots of shooting to redevelop skills I had a long time ago. Yours will be better in the field. Bottom line is this rifle shoots better than I can and with the moderate cartridge should last a very long time. Good choice and good luck. Rick

Rik, HOW WELL does yours shoot? Loads?

What twists? Thanks.

26", 1 in 8" twist, and 256 Newton.

Jeff

hey HT. Hurry up and get that rifle. I want to shoot it.

Jeff

6.5BR sorry for the slow reply, been out of town. So far it likes 43 grains of IMR4350 behind 140 Hornady SSTs or 140 NPs to group consistently less than 1.2". I've only had time to put less than a hundred rounds through it including barrel break in so early results are very promising. Rik

I like your 260rem idea. The Sierra' and the 139 grain scenars have incredible long range performance. The 6.5-284 only gives about 200 feet per second more velocity. You investigate a match chamber reamer. Pacific tool and gauge might be a place to start.

Rik,

Sounds like you are a happy camper, congrats.

My 6BR shoots .5 or better. Love shooting it.

Don't have the rifle yet, but it's coming at the end of April. Do have the 139 grain Lapua Scenar bullets to take for a test drive !

Also trying both 120 and 140 Sierra Matchkings. And - for hunting - some 130 grain Barnes Triple Shock.

Have dies, bullets and brass laying around on the reloading bench, waiting for the rifle to try 'em out with.

I'll post on here when some results are in, and let people know how the project goes.

The rifle has arrived and I went to visit it yesterday. Still in the 10 day waiting period, so I couldn't bring it home.

Tally rings, 4.5x14 Leupold scope, Hoyer trigger, nice but plain stock. Looks like a great rifle!! Sure am glad I got the 26" barrel.

Target that came with it shows 3 shots into 0.40 @100 with Federal factory ammo. I'm VERY impressed with that in a #1. Next weekend I can start tinkering with some handloads.

You will really like your Lilja barreled 260. While I shoot nothing but bolt guns I have 3 of them chambered in 260. One a sporter, a light varmint with a #6 taper barrel, and a long range match rifle. I use some Lilja barrels and they are very good. Your choise of the 1 in 8 twist is perfect for the 260. It will surprise you how well it shoots the light bullets if you decide to try the 85 to 95 gr. varmint bullets up the 160 gr. round nose bullets.

Here are some loads that seem to shoot extremely well in every 260 I have been around.

90 gr. Speer TNT
Some where between 44 to 45 gr. IMR 4064
Federal 210M Primer
Remington brass
Depending on the barrel and the powder charge velocity runs between 3380 fps and 3460 fps. It is very hard on coyotes. Big holes

120 gr. Sierra ProHunter
Some where between 41.4 and 42 gr. of IMR 4064
Federal 210M Primer
Remington brass
Depending on the barrel and the powder charge velocity runs between 2990 fps and 3030 fps. Very good deer/antelope load.

120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip
Some where between 45.5 and 46 gr. of H4350
CCI BR-2 primer
Remington brass
Depending on the barrel and the powder charge velocity runs between 3010 fps and 3050 fps. Very good deer/antelope load. The 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip has a B.C. of .458 run that against the 270 with a 130 gr. bullet on an external ballistics program, it gives up nothing to the 270. That load is still super sonic at 1000 yards and is still putting 1000 ft. lbs of energy on target at 600 yards. Pretty impressive for a short action cartridge using so little powder.

140 gr. Class bullets
I use the 140 Sierra SPBT GameKing in the sporter and light varmint and the 142 gr. MatchKing in the match rifle.

Some where between 41.8 to 42.4 gr. of H4350
Remington brass
CCI BR-2 primer
Depending on the barrel velocity will run between 2710 and 2750 fps. This load works very well on feral hogs, deer and I wouldn't be afraid to shot an elk with at reasonable ranges. The penetration of the 140 gr. 6.5 bullet is impressive at 260 Remington velocites.

H4831 SC works well with the 140 gr. bullets as well
Some where between 44 to 45.5 gr. of H4831 SC
Remington brass
Federal 210M primer
Velocity runs 2690 to 2760 fps depending on the powder charge and barrel. Again performs well on the animals listed above for the H4350 load.

Accuracy for all of the loads listed is sub .5 MOA in my rifles, all custom built with Krieger barrels. The loads have shot very well in rifles owned by other shooters that I know. Hope this helps some.

PaPa 260

The 260 case capacity is just fine. Buy some 95 gr VMax's and see how they do. Don't shoot the 107 MK's at varmints as they don't expand.

You can always cut the 26" barrel back. I would not get a heavy barrel. Not sure what it will weigh with a #4 but I would get one that looked ok with a free floated forearm and no heavier.

What, if anything, are you having done with the factory trigger?

Factory trigger was replaced by a Hoyer trigger group.

And thanks Papa 260 for the load information. I plan to try the 130 grain Barnes Triple Shock in September for light African plains game. That's my immediate project, though I will also be looking for accuracy with the Nosler ballistic tip, Sierra Matchking and 139 grain Lapua bullets.

While these others are very accurate, the Barnes is a very reliable hunting bullet, and if I can get them to shoot at all well, I'll use 'em. Second choice might be the Nosler partition, third the Swift A-Frame.

With a 130 gr. bullet, I would look to H4350 first. I have to believe you can get the accuracy you are looking for with that powder if the bullet is going to shoot at all. Velocity should run about 2890 to 2920 from your 26" barrel. I have shot some 130 gr. Norma
VLD's through my 260 match rifle. When I get home off the road I will look for the data I developed with it. I know the powder was H4350 in Remington brass with CCI BR-2 primer. Accuracy was good, just can't remember the velocity or the specific powder charge. I will get back with if you are interested. I know if I could only have one powder for a 260 it would H4350. It evens work with the 90 gr. TNT, velocity just isn't what IMR 4064 develops althought the accuracy is equal, sub .5 MOA. If I am going to shoot a light bullet I want all the accurate velocity I can get. IMR 4064 does that with the 90 gr. bullets. Hope this helps some.

PaPa 260