.260 AI and 147 ELD-M powder selection??

[Flatwound]

What fireforming loads are you all using for the 260ai? Are you jamming?
Thanks

 

[codyadams]

What fireforming loads are you all using for the 260ai? Are you jamming?
Thanks

I have had two fireforming loads, one with Nosler 140 BTHP cc, and the others with 95 grain v-max, Neither of which were jamming. If your smith sets does your ackley chamber correctly, there is no need to jam. If it is done right, you should have a crush fit with new parent case brass.

 

[scottishkat]

Not meaning to Hijack. But I have a Sako 85 in 260 remington that has been sitting too much. Been thinking about either re-barrel or re-chamber to 260 AI. The magazine is plenty long passed 2.900.

What are your thoughts of 260AI and 22.5" or hunting barrel lengths.

Impressive performance on that Mule deer.

Thanks in advance

Good luck and shoot straight all.

 

[codyadams]

Not meaning to Hijack. But I have a Sako 85 in 260 remington that has been sitting too much. Been thinking about either re-barrel or re-chamber to 260 AI. The magazine is plenty long passed 2.900.

What are your thoughts of 260AI and 22.5" or hunting barrel lengths.

Impressive performance on that Mule deer.

Thanks in advance

Good luck and shoot straight all.

I really can't attest to a 22.5" barreled gun, but just doing an estimate at 25 fps per inch, with Reloder 26 I would not be suprised if you got 2900 fps, maybe better with a 140.

 

[Canhunter35]

So I got to try out my loads with Reloder 26...and needless to say I am quite impressed. So here is my results....

Hornady 147 ELD-M, seated .050" off (C.O.L. of 2.865)
Lapua .260 brass formed
CCI BR-2 primer
Temperature while firing was 20 degrees F

48 gr:
1. 2843
2. 2877
3. 2865 // 2861 Avg., 34 fps E.S.

48.5 gr:
1. 2966
2. 2988
3. 2982 // 2978 Avg., 22 fps E.S.

49 gr:
1. 2977
2. 3006
3. 3022 // 3008 Avg., 25 fps E.S.

49.5 gr:
1. 3043
2. 3040
3. 3043 // 3042 Avg., 3 fps E.S.

50 gr:
1. 3043
2. 3073
3. 3059 // 3058 Avg., 30 fps E.S.

50.5 gr:
1. 3096
2. 3102
3. 3078 // 3092 Avg., 24 fps E.S.

As you can see in the pictures, there are no signs of being overpressure, no heavy bolt lift, no ejector mark. However, the primers are getting flat around the edges, so I know it is getting up there in pressure. I find it interesting that going from 48 to 48.5 increased velocity over 100 fps, while the rest of the .5 grain increases rendered right around 30 fps increase. Also, while this powder is supposed to be somewhat temp insensitive, this was shot at 20 degrees, so I'm interested to see what my velocity jumps to during the summer. And also, my most accurate load was 50.5 grains, averaging just under 3100 fps....which to me, is phenomenal considering the case capacity. At this point, with this performance, I'm switching to reloder 26 and the 147 ELD-M for good.[/QUOT

You have me considering a 260ai in a savage short action

 

[codyadams]

You have me considering a 260ai in a savage short action

With an available OAL of 2.980" with the savage detachable mag, it would be a great shooter

 

[Legionnaire]

Just found and read this thread. Thanks. Have a 26" McGowan remage barrel in .260 AI arriving in a couple of weeks. Looks like I'll be trying RL26.

 

[codyadams]

Just found and read this thread. Thanks. Have a 26" McGowan remage barrel in .260 AI arriving in a couple of weeks. Looks like I'll be trying RL26.

I was meaning to update this thread, and since you posted I was reminded of it.

I wanted to test some more with new brass, I got some Peterson small rifle primer brass, and loaded up 5 each of 49.5 grains Reloder 26 under the 147 eld-m seated .010" off the lands, and tried Federal match srp, CCI 450 srp magnum, and finally CCI BR-4 srp match. The Federals had an e.s. of 24 fps, averaging 3050 fps, the CCI 450's had an e.s. of 21 fps, with average velocity of 3070. Then I tried the BR-4's....e.s. of 9 fps with s.d. of 3.8 fps, and averaged 3040 fps. Also, the 5 shot group was .380" if you take out one that I knowingly pulled. If you leave it, the group was .650". So....I may be revisiting the 147 w/reloder 26 combo, at least until Berger releases the 156 EOL to try out.

Legionnaire, keep in mind, don't start at this load, I have worked it up in my rifle with my brass and my lot of powder. AFTER your brass is formed, I would start around 47 grains and work up until you know your rifle better. Also, I use a 6" powder trickler to aid in case fill.

 

[Legionnaire]

Legionnaire, keep in mind, don't start at this load, I have worked it up in my rifle with my brass and my lot of powder. AFTER your brass is formed, I would start around 47 grains and work up until you know your rifle better. Also, I use a 6" powder trickler to aid in case fill.

Roger that. I always do a full workup. Thanks for the note, too, on Peterson brass; I'm hearing good things about it.

 

[wapitiaddict]

With an available OAL of 2.980" with the savage detachable mag, it would be a great shooter

I've read this thread a couple of times, but I just want to make sure...I'm thinking of doing an 260 AI with the new Savage 110 Predator with accustock. Do you think the mag length is sufficient to use longer 147 gr bullets and take advantage of the AI case capacity?

I've been looking for RL26, but appears that the popularity has caught on and I can't find it at any of the major online retailers.

 

[codyadams]

Here is my .260 AI SAAMI spec throat seated out to .005" off the lands. Plenty of room in a savage. I now use HBN coating on mine, and must use a drop tube to get enough in to get the velocity I'm achieving. But it works well.

 

[xsn10s]

I have had two fireforming loads, one with Nosler 140 BTHP cc, and the others with 95 grain v-max, Neither of which were jamming. If your smith sets does your ackley chamber correctly, there is no need to jam. If it is done right, you should have a crush fit with new parent case brass.

Hey Cody do you have the load data for your 95 vmax fire forming load? Any other varmint fire forming loads? My barrel is finally being installed and I'll be chasing chucks this spring!!!

 

[lancetkenyon]

Great thread revival! I am awaiting my .260AI w. .140" FB from JGS now. Have everything ready to go. Planning on shooting the 140 Hyb in mine. Might need to start looking for RL26 again. Wasn't planning on using that powder, but might have to try it out now.