Thread: .260 Loads

Come on you helpful buggers, I need your loads.

I shot a few in the weekend and while I was impressed with the accuracy I was unimpressed with the speed. It goes a little like this.

.260 Rem
Lapua Brass
140gr A-Max
CCI BR primer
2209

I got the slightest of ejector marks at 43gr at 2680 something with good accuracy. 42gr was tighter but 2650ish 41gr had a phenomenal group of under .2" but low 2600fps.

I was hoping for around 2800fps out of my 22" barrel but it seems I won't get there with 140s. Leathel has offered me some of his Hybrid 100V to try so will do that. Anyone usedd 100V in a .260?

Any other ideas/Loads?

Thanks

Try some 2208. The higher BC should make up for lower MV to a point, depending on what you are shooting?

I've got 2208 if you want to give it a burl Normie.

Accuracy beats speed every time I reckon. Unless you're planning on sniping at 800m + of course.

I am running AR2209 in my .260 but i have a 26" barrel. I suspect you will have to use the likes of R17 or better yet Hybrid 100V to get close to 2800 with the 140gr projectiles in a 22" barrel.

My 130gr bergers are running at about 3050fps but the accurate load for the 139gr Scenars was at 2850fps (i could have run them about 100fps faster but the groups opened up a little). Both with 2209.

I assume you are running the Lapua .260 brass. I am running the Lapua small primer pocket .308 brass to allow for higher pressures.

Yeah I am using the Lapua .260 brass. I'll do a ladder with the 100V and see what speed/pressure I get.

I think 2208 will be too fast for the 140 class bullets? My barrel is apparently very tight bore which may contribute to the low speeds. At least I have a hunting load for now with very good accuracy.

data page has V100 at 41C max (c meaning compressed so no room for more) and no more speed than 2209....But it also says you can fit 50gr of H1000.... and V100 isn't much difference in size so they stuffed up something and in all my rifles I get better speed with V100 over 4350/2209

It has better speeds with H1000 to and I have 2208, H1000, V100, 748, 760, RL22, RL17 (when I get it back...on load for load work ATM) 2213, N165 and a few others you could try a quick ladder with

Originally Posted by leathel

data page has V100 at 41C max (c meaning compressed so no room for more) and no more speed than 2209....But it also says you can fit 50gr of H1000.... and V100 isn't much difference in size so they stuffed up something and in all my rifles I get better speed with V100 over 4350/2209

It has better speeds with H1000 to and I have 2208, H1000, V100, 748, 760, RL22, RL17 (when I get it back...on load for load work ATM) 2213, N165 and a few others you could try a quick ladder with

I use 139 Scenar or 140 amax 2217 & 215 mag primer, 2920-60 with 26" barrel, compressed load, Lapua 308 brass, shoots sub 1/2 moa

Still haven't figured out why everyone uses 2209

Fuck that must be high pressure Greg. How does the brass do?

I like the sound of 100V so will try first I think and RL17.

Originally Posted by Normie

Fuck that must be high pressure Greg. How does the brass do?

I like the sound of 100V so will try first I think and RL17.

LOL why the hell do guys think that I overload all the time...... FFS......

I run .5 to 1 grain over the 260 ADI max.

140 AR2209 24" 39.0 2530 51900 psi 42.0 2675 58800 psi
140 AR2213SC 24" 43.0 2570 53000 psi 45.7 2685 59000 psi
140 AR2217 24" 48.0 2620 51200 psi 50.5 2730 57000 psi

Look at the speed pressure difference between 2209 & 2217 & it is a 24" barrel.....

The brass is fine after heaps of firings, it is a very compressed load.

I just think outside the square......unlike a lot of people.....

And thats where the pressure gear comes into its own, comparative testing

Yap! I am sticking my ears out for 140 grainers as so far I am using 130grainers with 2209.

If in doubt!!! N560 for everything!!!

H414 is good for another 100 fps over AR2209

Originally Posted by Meathunta

H414 is good for another 100 fps over AR2209

Got some W760 for him to try....same thing isn't it? But I fund in my 243AI that it was quite temp sensitive and I had to run a summer and winter load ...

If in doubt!!! N560 for everything!!!

N560 is a double burn powder like RL17 and V100 but V100 is much nicer to work with being shorter cut with rounded ends... goes very well in the charge master

Although 17 got more speed with 160's in the SAUM and 280AI over both N560 (just) and V100 but v100 were the same speeds with 140's (Didn't try with the 280AI) so all worth a try if chasing every drop of speed

Normie, I have a 260AI and shoot 140gn VLD and Amax exclusively. While the AI version of the 260 is a little different (bigger capacity) i can share my experiences in summary:
2208 - too much pressure before speed with 140gn pills
2209 - better than 2208 and you should achieve 2800fps easy enough. Be aware you will be at the top end of pressure and there will be a fine line between acceptable and not
RL17 - I was unable to maintain consistent accuracy with the little bit of trying that i did so discontinued this
2217 - I followed Kiwi Gregs lead on this and even made a drop tube to help compress loads. I was unable to get sufficient powder in the case to give velocitiy required ( I am targetting 2950fps with low ES)
2213sc - highly accurate repeatable load (low ES), can't comment on capacity and speed relative to the std 260 case but worth a try
N560 - simply put - the best. Low pressure, good velocity (I use 50.1gn for 2960fps with VLD's and 50.6 for 3020fps if I really want to be ambitious). ES is great, case life is great and I haven't noticed any difficulty on the chargemaster

If you need any other info please message me
cheers