260 Rem Load Recipeies?

[Jinx-)]

I use RL-17 and RL-22 I also like H4350 and H4831 SC. There is another powder which might interest you, I haven't tried it yet but I hear some good stories about it. Its HYBRID 100V has a burn speed between H4350 and H4831, but its spherical...

 

[trebark]

Well, it's a hunting load for my rifle and temperatures for PA deer season don't really vary that much. I might not get 2,900 fps when them temps are below 20, but I don't think I'll see that much of a difference in velocity going from mid 50s to the 30s. I'll check the POI/scope zero before the season starts and the temps are a bit cooler, but for a hunting rifle, RL-22 should be just fine. Shooting a max load shouldn't be an issue in the summer as long as I don't let the ammo sit out and bake in the sun or on the dashboard.

Have to disagree. The temp sensitivity of RL powder is sufficient to change your POI (even 50s to 30s). This POI shift will become only larger as the range gets longer. Doesn't make much sense to use such a powder when the simple solution is to use temp stable H4350.

 

[jtkratzer]

Have to disagree. The temp sensitivity of RL powder is sufficient to change your POI (even 50s to 30s). This POI shift will become only larger as the range gets longer. Doesn't make much sense to use such a powder when the simple solution is to use temp stable H4350.

I just keep seeing conflicting reports about the degree of its sensitivity and how long ago the formulation was really sensitive.

I've seen reports from home methods (non-scientific) that show the Hodgdon extreme powders to suffer from sensitivity.

The simplest solution for a hunting rifle is to check the point of impact/zero right before hunting season and adjust a click or two. I would check any load, any powder.

 

[Jinx-)]

I did use chrony when I was testing my loads for fall hunting season, which is by the way on the PA far Northen border, after considering all option my selection stopped at Sierra 120 gr Pro-Hunter and 45 gr of RL-17 @ 3050fps, previously I stated that RL-22 was used to take that buck in the fall, but looking in my load book I see it was RL-17, that bullet never exited, but that buck never took another step, this bullet after penetrating the chest hit shoulder leg joint and exploded in fragments. Also looking in my load book I found some info which might be interesting, just in February I tested 140 gr SST, it was 40 degrees outside and with just 42.1 gr of RL-17 I got 2830 fps, I also fired 142 gr SMK and 42.0 gr RL-17 which shot 2861-2855-2869-2869-2873 fps.

 

[jtkratzer]

I did use chrony when I was testing my loads for fall hunting season, which is by the way on the PA far Northen border, after considering all option my selection stopped at Sierra 120 gr Pro-Hunter and 45 gr of RL-17 @ 3050fps, previously I stated that RL-22 was used to take that buck in the fall, but looking in my load book I see it was RL-17, that bullet never exited, but that buck never took another step, this bullet after penetrating the chest hit shoulder leg joint and exploded in fragments. Also looking in my load book I found some info which might be interesting, just in February I tested 140 gr SST, it was 40 degrees outside and with just 42.1 gr of RL-17 I got 2830 fps, I also fired 142 gr SMK and 42.0 gr RL-17 which shot 2861-2855-2869-2869-2873 fps.

That's another powder I've seen recommended often for the .260. With a 1:9" twist, I'm probably limited to the 129 SST though and with the 20" tube, I doubt I'd get those velocities with a 140 grainer.

What's your rifle's barrel length again?

 

[Jinx-)]

Its 1:8, 26" Heavy Varmint Barrel from CBI i put on my old 111 savage.

 

[jtkratzer]

Its 1:8, 26" Heavy Varmint Barrel from CBI i put on my old 111 savage.

With that action, it looks like you can seat those 140 gr pills out quite a bit and keep the case capacity up. I'll have to give RL-17 a try along with the H4350 and see what happens.

 

[Jinx-)]

With that action, it looks like you can seat those 140 gr pills out quite a bit and keep the case capacity up. I'll have to give RL-17 a try along with the H4350 and see what happens.

Nope, I can't.., the freebore is exactly the same, its SAAMI standard chamber, this is what I don't like about 260 REM is seating bullets way pass shoulders. I should of ordered 260 AI or 6.5mm x55, I was told that freebore will grow with time after like couple thousand rounds...

 

[jtkratzer]

Custom guns can make it work. I've seen examples of where guys are running .260s over 2.900" and maybe even close to 3".

 

[captacademy]

My current load OAL is 2.915. I was running them at 2.95, but a bullet stuck in the barrel once, so I backed the OAL off a bit. The last thing I need is to get one stuck during a match.

I am using the bottom metal that 308 Nate developed and 308 Alpha mags.

 

[Jinx-)]

With chamber I currently have I can seat 142 gr SMK 2 .268" to ogive, so OAL should be 2.88 - 2.9", but bullet still seated pass shoulders, amazingly 139 gr Lapua Scenar can be seated 2.272" to ogive and I had best results using them. Yes, you can extend your freebore, all you need is throating reamer THROATING REAMERS - Brownells and a lathe, however I heard stories on using T-handle to extend throat, but I wouldn't count on that...

 

[jtkratzer]

Anyone have a starting point and max for H4350 with a 129 gr bullet (SST to be specific)? I've seen several loads posted of what people are using, but I'd like to see something out of a manual.

 

[captacademy]

Here are the results from todays tests. The first load shot very well, 44.5 grns of H-4350, 140 A-max, OAL 2,915 and BR-2 primers. Avged 2843 fps. I tried 45.5 grns with 139 Scenars, but it popped out a few primers, too hot!

The second load almost shot as well, 46 grns of 4831sc, 139 Lapua Scenars, OAL 2.915 and Fed 210 primers. Avged 2868 fps

Off to Sportsman's to P/U an 8lbs can of H-4350 and some 130 Berger VLD's.

 

[jtkratzer]

Here are the results from todays tests. The first load shot very well, 44.5 grns of H-4350, 140 A-max, OAL 2,915 and BR-2 primers. Avged 2843 fps. I tried 45.5 grns with 139 Scenars, but it popped out a few primers, too hot!

The second load almost shot as well, 46 grns of 4831sc, 139 Lapua Scenars, OAL 2.915 and Fed 210 primers. Avged 2868 fps

Off to Sportsman's to P/U an 8lbs can of H-4350 and some 130 Berger VLD's.

What charges of H4350 are you going to use with the 130s?