260 AI loaded Data Needed

[del2les]

Since there are many variables between rifles, loads etc, just start with top 260 loads in fire-formed cases and develop from there. Powders I have used are H4350, H4831sc, 7828ssc, RL25/26 and a couple of others. I push the very accurate 140's and 143 ELD's at 3,050 fps without pressure signs but from a longer throat and 28" tube.

 

[mike33]

I basically did that the first time out. However I was quick to jump on your data you shared. I would of never thought of re -26. I have yet to get pressure and after 3 firings of brass including fire forming I have not yet had to trim anything. I have been lucky with this gun shooting real well off of anything I feed it. Now ots time to take the time and get my chrony out. Ill keep you posted.

 

[Birchbark]

Using H4350 (44.6 gn), BR2 primers, 24" Brux (4 groove), 140 Berger Elite, sub .5 moa ( it often does better but I don't shoot that well).

 

[codyadams]

I basically did that the first time out. However I was quick to jump on your data you shared. I would of never thought of re -26. I have yet to get pressure and after 3 firings of brass including fire forming I have not yet had to trim anything. I have been lucky with this gun shooting real well off of anything I feed it. Now ots time to take the time and get my chrony out. Ill keep you posted.

Another good powder to try if you get bored would be VV N565, from what I have heard it has similar properties to RL-26 but is a little more temp stable....and also about $10 more a pound. I am tempted, but I have an awesome load with RL-26....

 

[mike33]

I have lots of data....mainly for the 140+ though, and my barrel is a 30" 8 twist. H4831sc was fantastic with the 140 VLD's, a tad slow but stupid accurate. Reloder 26 did everything well, as long as it doesn't get terribly hot. Around here we max out around 80-85, usually hunt when it is teens up to 60-70 or so.

Here is some data for you. Of course, same ol warning, work up, start lower than data I list, don't be dumb and start with a max load, yata yata yata.....

4831sc load -
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
47.8 H4831 SC
140 VLD seated .005" off
2930 fps
Shot in the .3's consistently. Max was around 49.0 or so if I recall, going just a shade over 3000 fps.

Reloder 26 load work up. This was working at the top end of pressure, max was around 50.5 grains. Also used a 6" drop tube, and shot this at 65 degrees -
Lapua Brass
CCI-BR-2
Reloder 26
140 VLD
Seated .005" off
3 shots each -
49.0 - 3044 avg 7 fps e.s.
49.5 - 3053 avg 13 fps e.s.
50.0 - 3107 avg 12 e.s.
50.5 - 3134 avg 9 fps e.s.
51.0 - 3137 avg 19 fps e.s.

After doing a ladder test at range, I settled on 49 grains. It was easy on my brass, and my 500 yard group had under 1" of vertical spread and was only 1.75" for 3 shots. Plus, 3045 fps with a 140 is nothing to sneeze at.

After that I moved on to the 147 eld-m for a season, and was unsatisfied by terminal performance. Now I have my final load that will remain unchanged until I burn the barrel out, and that is 49.0 grains of Reloder 26 under an HBN coated 156 EOL going 2940 fps. Max was right about 50.2 grains going 2980 fps. Using Peterson SRP brass and CCI 450 (small rifle magnum) primers. They are seated .065" off to fit in my AICS ARC mag, and they don't seem to care about seating depth.

Not that it matters, but out of curiosity I tried H1000 just because. Using a 6" drop tube and settling as much as would fit in the case with heavy compression and without pushing the bullet back out, I still didn't get any pressure signs, but probably close. Maxed out on capacity at 2950is fps with the 147. Reloder 26 got it up to 3040 fps.

Hope that helped a little. Take care!!!

I was out today at spur of moment with Bergers. It was over cast and just got done raining. 50 grains of RE-26 3 shot group .301 49 grains H-4350 shots .420 Neither one is nothing to sneeze at im very happy with the Berger now I just have to take the chronograph. Appreciate the data. This is with a 26" #3 Bartlein 8 twist no pressure.

 

[mike33]

I have lots of data....mainly for the 140+ though, and my barrel is a 30" 8 twist. H4831sc was fantastic with the 140 VLD's, a tad slow but stupid accurate. Reloder 26 did everything well, as long as it doesn't get terribly hot. Around here we max out around 80-85, usually hunt when it is teens up to 60-70 or so.

Here is some data for you. Of course, same ol warning, work up, start lower than data I list, don't be dumb and start with a max load, yata yata yata.....

4831sc load -
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
47.8 H4831 SC
140 VLD seated .005" off
2930 fps
Shot in the .3's consistently. Max was around 49.0 or so if I recall, going just a shade over 3000 fps.

Reloder 26 load work up. This was working at the top end of pressure, max was around 50.5 grains. Also used a 6" drop tube, and shot this at 65 degrees -
Lapua Brass
CCI-BR-2
Reloder 26
140 VLD
Seated .005" off
3 shots each -
49.0 - 3044 avg 7 fps e.s.
49.5 - 3053 avg 13 fps e.s.
50.0 - 3107 avg 12 e.s.
50.5 - 3134 avg 9 fps e.s.
51.0 - 3137 avg 19 fps e.s.

After doing a ladder test at range, I settled on 49 grains. It was easy on my brass, and my 500 yard group had under 1" of vertical spread and was only 1.75" for 3 shots. Plus, 3045 fps with a 140 is nothing to sneeze at.

After that I moved on to the 147 eld-m for a season, and was unsatisfied by terminal performance. Now I have my final load that will remain unchanged until I burn the barrel out, and that is 49.0 grains of Reloder 26 under an HBN coated 156 EOL going 2940 fps. Max was right about 50.2 grains going 2980 fps. Using Peterson SRP brass and CCI 450 (small rifle magnum) primers. They are seated .065" off to fit in my AICS ARC mag, and they don't seem to care about seating depth.

Not that it matters, but out of curiosity I tried H1000 just because. Using a 6" drop tube and settling as much as would fit in the case with heavy compression and without pushing the bullet back out, I still didn't get any pressure signs, but probably close. Maxed out on capacity at 2950is fps with the 147. Reloder 26 got it up to 3040 fps.

Hope that helped a little. Take care!!!

Back at the range I was very impressed.
Berger 140 VLD Hunting
Re -26 49 grains Vel. 3093 e.s. - 8
Re- 26 50 grains Vel. 3096 e.s. - 14
Today was high winds just shot thru chronograph in the bank since I did not have it up working last week when I was group testing. My best 3 shot group was a 3 shot with 50 grains of re-26 .301
120 Nosler Bt
H-4350 46 gains 3068 es- 12
H-4350 47 grains 3134 es- 11
H-4350 48 grains 3144 es - 20
All of these loads shot well .500 and under
Im very impressed with this 260 ai, I have yet to see pressure and yet had to trim cases. The accuracy and velocity is there btw im shooting a # 3 Bartlein 8 twist 26"
I appreciate all of your help I would of never thought of going to a slower powder like re-26. Thanks again!

 

[aushunter1]

Back at the range I was very impressed.
Berger 140 VLD Hunting
Re -26 49 grains Vel. 3093 e.s. - 8
Re- 26 50 grains Vel. 3096 e.s. - 14
Today was high winds just shot thru chronograph in the bank since I did not have it up working last week when I was group testing. My best 3 shot group was a 3 shot with 50 grains of re-26 .301
120 Nosler Bt
H-4350 46 gains 3068 es- 12
H-4350 47 grains 3134 es- 11
H-4350 48 grains 3144 es - 20
All of these loads shot well .500 and under
Im very impressed with this 260 ai, I have yet to see pressure and yet had to trim cases. The accuracy and velocity is there btw im shooting a # 3 Bartlein 8 twist 26"
I appreciate all of your help I would of never thought of going to a slower powder like re-26. Thanks again!

Those numbers look pretty impressive & a big improvement from the standard 260.

So a question, can a standard 260 be reamed to the AI version or do you need to do a full rebarrel??

Just curious.

 

[codyadams]

Those numbers look pretty impressive & a big improvement from the standard 260.

So a question, can a standard 260 be reamed to the AI version or do you need to do a full rebarrel??

Just curious.

I believe they can just be ran through a standard .260 rem chamber. Shouldn't have any issue

 

[codyadams]

Back at the range I was very impressed.
Berger 140 VLD Hunting
Re -26 49 grains Vel. 3093 e.s. - 8
Re- 26 50 grains Vel. 3096 e.s. - 14
Today was high winds just shot thru chronograph in the bank since I did not have it up working last week when I was group testing. My best 3 shot group was a 3 shot with 50 grains of re-26 .301
120 Nosler Bt
H-4350 46 gains 3068 es- 12
H-4350 47 grains 3134 es- 11
H-4350 48 grains 3144 es - 20
All of these loads shot well .500 and under
Im very impressed with this 260 ai, I have yet to see pressure and yet had to trim cases. The accuracy and velocity is there btw im shooting a # 3 Bartlein 8 twist 26"
I appreciate all of your help I would of never thought of going to a slower powder like re-26. Thanks again!

You bet man!! Fantastic performance. I love this cartridge.

 

[mike33]

Those numbers look pretty impressive & a big improvement from the standard 260.

So a question, can a standard 260 be reamed to the AI version or do you need to do a full rebarrel??

Just curious.

Yes you can. Only I heard is and im gunsmith is many gunsmiths don't like to. What I was told years ago if the factory chamber is off then the reamer will follow that. I have had quite a few factory 700's re chambered and it work fine. Me and some of m buddies years ago bought several of the rem classic in 250 Savage and opened them up to a 250 savage imp. They worked well and was very efficient. If I had a standard 260 I would not hesitate to open it up.

 

[DocDoc]

To set it up to have .004 crush for the standard cartridge, you would need to face the barrel off one thread before reaming. If you just ream it out, you have excess headspace in terms of the Ackley design. That can cause problems shooting the standard in the reamed chamber.

 

[twister]

i have a 260Ai that will be built soon. i will be shooting the 140s in it they kill great and if you stay off the shoulder not too much damage. that said just watch the quartering shots they will ruin a side.

 

[mike33]

i have a 260Ai that will be built soon. i will be shooting the 140s in it they kill great and if you stay off the shoulder not too much damage. that said just watch the quartering shots they will ruin a side.

That does not bother me I don't care for deer meat anyway. I want to knock them down quick with as much damage as possible.

 

[Chopaka81]

I have been following this thread since it began in 2019. I am wondering if anyone has worked with the 129gr or 130gr bullets? My main interest is a mule deer load.
I have not ruled out the 142 & 143 gr bullets.
I have fire formed 50 Lapua 260 cases out to 260 AI 40 deg.
Today I test fired 50 rds using H4831SC, Fed 215 Match primers, and Sierra 130gr Tipped GK's. With 5 loads per charge, I worked up from 47.3 grs in 0.3 gr steps to 50.0 grs of H4831SC. Clearly for a 130 gr bullet 50.0 grs was a maximum charge. At 48.5 & 49.1 grs I hit a couple very nice "nodes" and groups dropped to into the .4's at 100 meters.
I am going to bracket these 2 charges +/- 0.1 grs and see if things improve with the Sierra 130 gr TGK. 5 rds/charge.
I do have a box of Nosler 129 gr LRAB's that I can experiment with too.
I am willing to give a Berger a try too.
My goal is to 3,000 fps (or so).
I am wondering if switching to a non-magnum LR primer would improve things?
Also looking for a couple lbs of RE-26, can't find it anywhere.
Looking for suggestions.
Thanks, Don