Pet loads for .260 Remington

Nate.308

Nate.308

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Hey,

Im going to start load development of a new rifle in .260 rem. To start, I will be pushing a 140 gr bthp but hoping to adapt this load for a hunting cartiage as well. I'm planning on using IMR 4895 and starting with a range of 34.0 gr -35.5gr. I could be pushing 1000m for this laod ao any prior experience would be handy.

Appreciate the input,

Nate
 
Try H4350, it may be the best overall if you can source some. 40-41.5gr should place you in the moderate node and going higher will shorten your brass live considerably. Berger or Sierras will be a go to bullet. The hornady bullets will perform admirably but will not keep up with these premium bullets. Keep the loads modest and expect 1500 rounds or more of great performance. My 2c.

PS, you will fall in love with this round....
 
Nate.308 said:
Im going to start load development of a new rifle in .260 rem. To start, I will be pushing a 140 gr bthp but hoping to adapt this load for a hunting cartiage as well. I'm planning on using IMR 4895 and starting with a range of 34.0 gr -35.5gr. I could be pushing 1000m for this laod ao any prior experience would be handy.
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I agree with the previous post that H4350 would be a better choice, and H4831SC an alternate choice. I think 4895 is too fast a powder, and I prefer Hodgdon Extreme powders over IMR powder. I believe the Hodgdon stick powder is made in Australia, while IMR is made in Canada and the IMR would be the patriotic choice. But I have to choose best performance first. See this link on Hodgdon Extreme.

For a bullet in 140 grain I would pick the Berger VLD Hunting.
 
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blauber said:
I dropped from 140 gr to 120 gr as I couldn't get more than 2650 fps with 22 1/2" barrel. H414 works good for 123 gr and gave 100 fps more than h4350 and rl-15.
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Berger publishes a Form Factor which rates the long distance potential of bullets considering the higher velocity of lighter bullets, and the higher ballistic coeficient of heavier bullets. In their 6.5 mm hunting bullets, the 130 grain comes out the best (lowest). In target bullets the 140 grain hybrid is the best, and the 120 grain the worst. However that 120 was a flat base, so at a significant disadvantage.
 
Thanks for the information, I will definitely look into the 4350. I will have to play around with the projectiles and find a balance of what I can readily source and what the rifle likes to eat.
 
Nate.308 said:
Thanks for the information, I will definitely look into the 4350. I will have to play around with the projectiles and find a balance of what I can readily source and what the rifle likes to eat.
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I find Berger the most accurate of what I have shot. I believe Jerry Teo at Mystic Precision can get them for you if you can't find them locally. I also find bullets the most critical component for accuracy. Powder not so much if you are in the right burn rate range, and can get the velocity you want.
 
Nate.308 said:
I was planning on the getting 1000 Lapua 140 scenar, any experience with these vs Berger?
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I have some 108 grain 6.5 mm Scenar bullets in my box waiting to be loaded, but I have not fired any. Can't comment on accuracy. Lapua has bought Berger so they must have some respect for Berger. Also probably it is hard for them to compete with Berger on price.

The 139 Scenar has a G7 BC of 0.290, while Berger's 140 Hybrid is 0.311.

Not sure about buying 1000 bullets before you know how they shoot. Guns can be finicky about the bullets they like. I have shot some 6BR 68 grain Berger's down into the 0.1" group size. I couldn't keep 62 grain Berger's under 2". I would sure hate to have bought 1000 of those 62 grain bullets. I've exhausted pretty much of the whole box trying to figure out how to make them shoot, but failed. Never again for that bullet... My suggestion is to try boxes of 100 until you are sure what you want. I would try both the Hybrid and VLD versions of the Berger, as well as the 130 grain in addition to the 140 grain.
 
The 139 Scenars are a very well mannered bullet that I think would shoot well in almost any rifle. I don't know that I'd advise the purchase of 1000 right out of the gate, however. I have a 21-3/4" tube on my .260 and the Scenars do very well in it. I started load development with them but have never really gotten around to finishing. Reason is, the 142 SMKs that I was shooting before (and since) do so well, that I have a hard time even wanting to change. 42.3 grains H4350 with a .030" jump. They're seated to function through my mag - the throat has naturally eroded over the last 1600+ rounds. Still getting 2770 fps and will still hit itty bitty little things from a long way away.

Elkhuntr is so right; you WILL fall in love with this round in a well made machine.

Rooster
 
Ok the orders in, I went with a box of 100 for the following;

Berger 140gn VLD
Sierra 142gn MK
Hornady 140gn ELD-M

Give me a few weeks and Ill post the results...

Nate
 
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Ron AKA said:
Berger publishes a Form Factor which rates the long distance potential of bullets considering the higher velocity of lighter bullets, and the higher ballistic coeficient of heavier bullets. In their 6.5 mm hunting bullets, the 130 grain comes out the best (lowest). In target bullets the 140 grain hybrid is the best, and the 120 grain the worst. However that 120 was a flat base, so at a significant disadvantage.
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Good read. I calculate 1.068 Form Factor for the 123 gr Hornady SST. I can't remember where I found the G7 BC, but its 0.236 in my ballistics app.

So its lower than Berger's offerings, however I was interested in maximizing muzzle velocity to strike a balance of energy on target and expansion potential at extended ranges. Ideally my Tikka would launch 140 gr and 123 gr projectiles at an added 150 fps-I'd be happier with its long range hunting potential. As it stands, I'm over 1000 ft/lbs energy at 500 yards but then again so is my 6mm Rem using 100 gr projectiles.
 
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