Thread: 260 Improved

Originally Posted by Toby

Hey greg how does the 120gmx go agaisnt the 140gr Amax at both killing and long range?

The Amax is too delicate up close & the GMX is too hard for LR.

I use the GMX in my 6.5 WSM & it kills fantastic at normal hunting ranges at 3400 fps, haven't shot it much at LR.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The Amax is too delicate up close & the GMX is too hard for LR.

I use the GMX in my 6.5 WSM & it kills fantastic at normal hunting ranges at 3400 fps, haven't shot it much at LR.

Delicate up close?how close is close.So far ive shot amax at deer for instant death from 35yards to 400yds and its not showing any signs of weekness to me.Further out than 400 I cant vouch for as I havnt done it, all at 2858fps.All reds some big bodied animals and on the lighter skins with fallow and goats.I swear by Amax in 6.5 myself but that's just for me.

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Delicate up close?how close is close.So far ive shot amax at deer for instant death from 35yards to 400yds and its not showing any signs of weekness to me.Further out than 400 I cant vouch for as I havnt done it, all at 2858fps.All reds some big bodied animals and on the lighter skins with fallow and goats.I swear by Amax in 6.5 myself but that's just for me.

I have had a few dramas up close with my 260 & the 140 Amax, going a little quicker.

Maybe my barrel is harder on them, maybe I was unlucky, recovered the deer no drama but I wouldn't want to use them on pigs.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I have had a few dramas up close with my 260 & the 140 Amax, going a little quicker.

Maybe my barrel is harder on them, maybe I was unlucky, recovered the deer no drama but I wouldn't want to use them on pigs.

Oh pigs, well in havnt used them on pigs from what ive heard they are trickier to hit down.Do you think the speed is a factor Greg? as in do you think the amax prefer less speed (sub 3000).

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Do you think the speed is a factor Greg? as in do you think the amax prefer less speed (sub 3000).

I'm not Greg but I'll give my answer which may be wrong but yes and that is why people like them for long range as they are going slower. That's my guess anyway

Originally Posted by Toby

I'm not Greg but I'll give my answer which may be wrong but yes and that is why people like them for long range as they are going slower. That's my guess anyway

your right your not Greg and im asking about close range

Originally Posted by Toby

I'm not Greg but I'll give my answer which may be wrong but yes and that is why people like them for long range as they are going slower. That's my guess anyway

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Oh pigs, well in havnt used them on pigs from what ive heard they are trickier to hit down.Do you think the speed is a factor Greg? as in do you think the amax prefer less speed (sub 3000).

The Amax is well known a fragile target projectile with a thin jacket & plastic tip to increase BC which as a side effect increases expansion.

As projectiles slow down their expansion generally decreases, which is a good thing if they are fragile, this is why the Amax is a NZ favourite for LR hunting, especially the 162.

If the 140 Amax is driven at a more moderate speed, say 6.5x55, it will probably be fine.

When projectiles are launched hard/fast they get "hurt" as they go through the throat, the rougher the throat the more they get damaged to the point where they lose accuracy.

This is accentuated by faster twists, velocity & heat.

A lot of the target bullets have thicker jackets to try to mitigate this which can/does make them less than ideal for hunting, the Lapua Scenars for instance.

Solid copper projectiles, like the Barnes, Etip & GMX don't have this problem, they have other problems instead, like possibly more fouling, although this has been helped with relief grooves in the GMX & Barnes, these also reduce pressure & help with velocity increases, also they need to have a higher impact velocity to maintain acceptable terminal performance.

Fantastic up close but not so much further out at LR.

Generally if you push a projectile faster or slower than it would normally be with the regular calibres it was designed for, there will be "issues".

It is the same old story, there are no free lunches

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The Amax is well known a fragile target projectile with a thin jacket & plastic tip to increase BC which as a side effect increases expansion.

As projectiles slow down their expansion generally decreases, which is a good thing if they are fragile, this is why the Amax is a NZ favourite for LR hunting, especially the 162.

If the 140 Amax is driven at a more moderate speed, say 6.5x55, it will probably be fine.

When projectiles are launched hard/fast they get "hurt" as they go through the throat, the rougher the throat the more they get damaged to the point where they lose accuracy.

This is accentuated by faster twists, velocity & heat.

A lot of the target bullets have thicker jackets to try to mitigate this which can/does make them less than ideal for hunting, the Lapua Scenars for instance.

Solid copper projectiles, like the Barnes, Etip & GMX don't have this problem, they have other problems instead, like possibly more fouling, although this has been helped with relief grooves in the GMX & Barnes, these also reduce pressure & help with velocity increases, also they need to have a higher impact velocity to maintain acceptable terminal performance.

Fantastic up close but not so much further out at LR.

Generally if you push a projectile faster or slower than it would normally be with the regular calibres it was designed for, there will be "issues".

It is the same old story, there are no free lunches

Perfect answer right there.

Built a light weight stock for the Model 7 to replace the horrible plastic fantastic.

The stock is pretty light at 500 grams with the Limbsaver recoil pad

The rifle as pictured with the VX3 4.5-14 x 40 CDS is 4.96lbs







The wood is quite soft, nowhere near as strong as Carbon Fibre & it will get damaged but such is life, it's there to be used