260 Load Help.. Quick Load???

[novaman64]

Trying to work up some loads for a new 260 rem...

Berger 140 VLD Hunting Bullet

25" barrel
1:8 twist - 3 groove
using WLR primers (if it matters)

I was just looking for some quick load numbers to get me started somewhere. Right now I have 1lb of H4350 and was debating picking up either IMR4831, H4831 or H4831SC... My Speer manual shows that the best velocity with the heavier bullets is with the Reloader 19 or the IMR4831; although it seems alot of people are getting good results with H4831 or H4350...

Anyways, thats why I wanted the quick load data, or some references on where to start....

 

[7mm Magnum]

I ran the different scenarios you had listed and actually the IMR #4831 seems to be the best of your options. I couldn't locate a Berger 140 gr. VLD in the .264 listings,... the only one in that grain weight was a 140 gr. V so that is the one I used in the formula.


Berger .264 / 140 Gr. V
42.0 grains of IMR #4831
Muzzle Velocity = 2779 fps @ 58,138 PSI (MAX PSI = 60,191)
Projectile energy = 2,400 ft. lbs
COAL = 2.800
CL = 2.030
25 in barrel

Hope this gets you in the ballpark,...

 

[novaman64]

Cool, thank you.... Now I need to see if I cant find some IMR4831 from any of the local shops... Then its gonna be a LONG wait for my rifle to get back from the smith..... Errrr, I feel like a kid on Christmas again.....

 

[7mm Magnum]

No problem,... glad to be able to help out.

 

[USMC]

Here is some load data for you from starting loads to the max. The velocities are based on 24" barrel with berger 140 VLD's. As for the primers should not make a difference I use winchester primers as well. Hope this helps.


Bullet
Powder
Start Load
Approximate Start Velocity
Max Load
Approximate Max Velocity
Fill Ratio
140 Grain
AA XMR 4350
36.0
2393
40.3
2672
94.6%
140 Grain
RE -19
38.0
2395
42.5
2680
100.9%
140 Grain
H4350
37.5
2401
41.7
2672
96.9%
140 Grain
IMR 4350
36.0
2433
40.0
2689
95.0%
140 Grain
NORMA 204
38.0
2425
42.0
2682
96.4%
140 Grain
Ramshot Hunter
37.5
2408
42.0
2688
92.6%
140 Grain
VIHT N550
36.0
2419
40.3
2685
90.7%
140 Grain
WW 760
36.5
2421
40.6
2683
90.4%
140 Grain
IMR 4831
37.0
2391
41.4
2665
97.6%
140 Grain
IMR 4064
32.5
2395
36.0
2610
89.5%

 

[5R LR SHTR]

i just got a new 260 as well and i totally hear yah about waiting for it, boy the wait really sucks but man is it worth it when yo have the right hands doing the work on a good gun.

i just tried RL19 for my break in loads and shot from the hip with a middle of the road load just for break in and i got fantastic results just during break in of the barrel (10x rounds for starters). problem with RL19 is temp sensitivity. i move around alot being in the military so i could be in one spot for a year or two then move to a completely different climate andaltitude i.e. colorado which is where i just came from and there is significant difference in ballistics when it comes to altitude and temp so i favor more insensitive powders, which is also why i am going with H4350. i found that right around 42 grains of H4350 is the ticket behind a 123 lapua scenar. i haven't perfected the load yet but my data and test results lead me in that direction. IMR4831 is also a very good choice but i think H4350 has it beat. i have read alot of articles on this website and a lot of guys choose H4350, but as you know no gun is alike so just test em out.

i am int h process of giving the 140 AMAXs a try and have some 142 SMKs and bergers on the way as well to try out. once you find the sweet spot of that gun you probably wont want to do any more testing and shoot the snot out of the load you work with so testing a bunch of stuff is worth it. i did it with my 308 5R and it finally paid off. At 300 yds i can hold a one inch group with SMK 175s. unbelieveable accuracy. good luck!

 

[jtkratzer]

I found the velocity from 4831sc very disappointing. Got my best from RL22. I have H4350 on the bench I try.

Primers can make a difference. I have CCI BR2 and FED210GM primers. This is just one 260 I'm loading for now, but a second is on the way.