.260 Rem and 120gr TTSX range result with pics

[bcsteve]

I finally got around to trying the 120gr TTSX in my Rem 700 .260 with a light mountain barrel. My previous load was with the 120gr TSX and I've shot two mulies without any issues but I figured I might as well keep up with the cool kids.

Tried 4 powders, 5 shot each in 0.5gr increment up to the max load. Ladder test style.

Looks like H414 is the winner for accuracy and velocity.

H4350
1) 44.5gr.......2878fps
2) 45gr..........2909fps
3) 45.5gr.......2969fps
4) 46gr..........2982fps
5) 46.5gr.......3006fps

H4831sc
1) 48gr...........2850fps
2) 48.5gr........2867fps
3) 49gr...........2874fps
4) 49.5gr........2903fps
5) 50gr...........2968fps

H414
1) 43.5gr.........2991fps
2) 44gr............3009fps
3) 44.5gr.........3056fps
4) 45gr............3107fps
5) 45.5gr......... didn't shoot, velocity above max

RL19
1) 46gr............2940fps
2) 46.5gr.........2903fps
3) 47gr............2958fps
4) 47.5gr.........2978fps
5) 48gr............2999fps

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

It's amazing what component changes will do to a group!!!

Don't be scared to go with lower velocities. My friends .260 grouped best at 2600ft/sec with the loads done for his 700 Mtn with 130grain bullets

 

[martinbns]

What does that test prove? All the ladder does is prove the round is safe to shoot?

You went past the generally accepted velocity for a 120 grain bullet of 2900 fps with all of those. I used to load 44.5 grs of h4350 and the 125 gr partition with fantastic results on both paper and hair. Chronograph said right around 2900 fps.

The h4350, h4831sc and H414 all look like possibilities, but are very aggressive.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Just curious, what kinda distance would you like your round to be effective or are you looking for paper accuracy?

 

[sealhunter]

I am using RL 19 with my 7mm-08 and 140 TSX...

while we are not shooting the same bullets or anything, I find it remarkable how much a powder can have such varying results accross rifles...

Really brings into perspectic the shortcomings of factory ammo..

 

[sealhunter]

Just looking at your targets again,..without the 5th shot on the H414, I'd have to say that the H4831 is possibly as accurate, with more appropriate velocity...

I could be completely wrong,...(new to all this.)..but this is the philosophy I seem to be getting passed on to me...

 

[bcsteve]

What does that test prove? All the ladder does is prove the round is safe to shoot?

You went past the generally accepted velocity for a 120 grain bullet of 2900 fps with all of those. I used to load 44.5 grs of h4350 and the 125 gr partition with fantastic results on both paper and hair. Chronograph said right around 2900 fps.

The h4350, h4831sc and H414 all look like possibilities, but are very aggressive.

What does it prove? It shows me which powder and loads brings me in the velocity range I'm looking for, in this case, somewhere between 2900-2950fps. It also shows me which powder as the most accuracy potential.

All those loads were taken from manuals without going over published max.

I got to admit that I was suprised by the high velocity of H414. Hodgeon lists a max of 45.5gr @ 2968fps. I got that and more with 43.5gr. I'll try this one again with 0.5-1gr less and see what happens.

Just curious, what kinda distance would you like your round to be effective or are you looking for paper accuracy?

I'm not sure I understand your question? I want my bullet to be effective as far as it can, for me it's about 300-400yds. It is a hunting rifle, I want it to be as accurate on game as it is on paper.

Just looking at your targets again,..without the 5th shot on the H414, I'd have to say that the H4831 is possibly as accurate, with more appropriate velocity...

I could be completely wrong,...(new to all this.)..but this is the philosophy I seem to be getting passed on to me...

I agree, H4831sc has some potential as well.

 

[looch]

My opinion is that the H414 is the least desirable. All of the other powders share a similar average point of impact.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

For 3-400 yards, you can definitely back that load off to get more accuracy, 3000 ft/sec is movin, I'm not tellin ya what to do, but don't get stuck on needing tones of velocity, you will still get bullet expansion at those ranges with a slower movin bullet, and maybe even some 1/2 MOA groups, test and experiment. In my 7-08 i wound up using a charge at below minimum in some books, got nice groups and still had velocity to knock game down at longer distance. I tested load after load and got very dicouraged at one point, then BAM!! there it was in a 42.8 grain load in under a .5" group.Accuracy counts

 

[blargon]

All those loads were taken from manuals without going over published max.

You weren't looking at a Barnes manual then.

They list Min 39.5gr and max 43.5 for H4350 with the 120.

For RL19 they list Min 41.5 and Max 45.5 with the 120.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/Copper_Manual4/260Remington.pdf

 

[Pathfinder]

looks good, i would reshoot H4831 vs h414, hard to judge a final winner from a couple 4-5 round ladder groups .

 

[bcsteve]

Re-shot 43gr of H414 and 49.5gr of H4831sc yesterday. Well, H4831sc was the winner after all. 6 shot group, one flyer and 5 a tiny bit over 1" with a 6.5Lbs factory mountain contour barrel, that will do for now.

 

[Gatehouse]

H4831 looks liek it will kill a deer!

 

[bcsteve]

Bought a pound of RL17 today. Not sure if I'll have time to do some testing before our deer hunting trip but we'll see.