Thread: 260 Rem, AI & Imp

6.5 Saum.

Originally Posted by nor-west

Yep had one on a Turkish Mauser build, thumbhole stock and 28 inch barrel got it shortened to 24" then had to fire form cases a lot of fluffing around for no real world gain. @Tahr's 6.5x55 with 20" barrel was quicker. I was getting around 3000fps with 130 grain projectiles. A 6.5x284 would be a better build idea.

My barrel is 21" and velocity is 2830fps with 140 Amax. N560 powder.

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

6.5 Saum.

So I Googled the 6.5 Saum, looks like all things to all people. Albeit a bit tough on barrels. Very handy chambering indeed

Do a bit more googling.... Look at the GAP 4S version and how they run them. H1000 powder at around 53000psi which is 140 class bullets at around 3000+ fps and 130g at 3100-3200. Barrel life 2500 plus for Practical Rifle accuracy...

Sure you can run them at high pressure and you can toast them at 500 rounds, but that may be the wrong approach. I had a 6.5x55AI which didn't complain up to 3200fps with 140s and I ran it at 3050, but pretty sure it wouldn't last more than the 1200 or so rounds that seem typical for the likes of a 6.5x284 running hot like that....

The SAUM offers better performance than that, at less penalty..

So to paraphrase what you are saying Sydney; instead of running your 308 as hot as you can, instead buy a 3006 and run a standard load ?

Yes but no its still a fat and wide case, unlike your 30-06 so a little different.. but in broad terms it is a reduced pressure load in a larger capacity case. H1000 is a slower powder, its ignition pattern is more progressive that is apparently part of the equation as well.

Pressure and heat are apparently what burns out barrels, that and high fire rates. Getting velocity without excess pressure and heat is differcult to achieve in small cases.

I like the idea and the sound of the 6.5 PRC, especially since you can buy factory ammo for it from Hornady. However the only factory rifle I have heard that is arriving chambered in it is the Sauer. Now these are wonderful rifles, just a bit heavy for me.

to those that ai'd the 260 would you do it again? I like my 260 but have to trim every reload at the moment and its getting old. Just started some norma reloads and they havn't stretched at all yet so that may help. did you run them the same COAL?

Originally Posted by blair993

to those that ai'd the 260 would you do it again? I like my 260 but have to trim every reload at the moment and its getting old. Just started some norma reloads and they havn't stretched at all yet so that may help. did you run them the same COAL?

Don't need to trim my 260AI brass...doesnt really grow. I kinda did do it again by then getting a 280AI. Much easier with factory AI brass.

Originally Posted by blair993

to those that ai'd the 260 would you do it again? I like my 260 but have to trim every reload at the moment and its getting old. Just started some norma reloads and they havn't stretched at all yet so that may help. did you run them the same COAL?

I didn't go Ackley 40deg, I went 30deg Whitley (short throat). I got the reamer cut and it's done two rifles so far. 260 Imp 30?
I'm still pissing around and about to try different powder but my main load for the last 100+ has been RL17 and 143gr ELDX @2940fps. I'm in the process of fire forming my second hundred Lapua cases and got some slower RL26 to try. I've wrecked about 10 cases with too much pressure on the primer pockets but not stretched them yet.

Well I just did two trips to the range and Superformance is quite underwhelming accuracy wise. One decent group at low pressure then seeing pressure at 47.0 but 1.5 moa isn’t good enough.
R19 at a compressed load was the ok. None showing much in the way of speed either.

Originally Posted by Danny

Well I just did two trips to the range and Superformance is quite underwhelming accuracy wise. One decent group at low pressure then seeing pressure at 47.0 but 1.5 moa isn’t good enough.
R19 at a compressed load was the ok. None showing much in the way of speed either.

Found the same Danny. Superformance didn't do it for me either, got pressure before a decent velocity and accuracy was average.

Have you tried win 760?
It goes good in mine and I have tried everything except RL16

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Originally Posted by R93

Have you tried win 760?
It goes good in mine and I have tried everything except RL16

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Yep winny 760 runs well in my boys 260 with 20" barrel.

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Anyone tried RL16 with the improved 260?


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