.260AI vs.260

[EOD350]

I currently shoot a .260 with very accpetable results, but have recently considered rebarreling to the .260 AI. My question to the .260AI shooters is, is the effort worth the gain? I reload everthing I shoot so the process is the same with the exception of fireforming, which can become a hassel. Thanks in advance for the responses.

[scope eye]

Short and sweet, YES

Dean

[stomp442]

If pulling a trigger is a hassle then yes it is. The 260AI can give you 3000 fps that's 6.5-284 velocities while using about 7 grains less powder. Well worth the little bit of extra work envoled for the Ackley case.

I'm running 44 grains of H4831sc in a 26" criterion barrel on a savage 111 action using lake city match cases neck turned to .292" and getting 2940fps with a 140 berger vld and will consistently print 1" groups at 500 meters.

[EOD350]

Stomp, hassel to me is finding dies in stock after shooting thru all of my brass.I like to shoot, but that many rounds can get old.

[BoilerUP]

I'm running 44 grains of H4831sc in a 26" criterion barrel on a savage 111 action using lake city match cases neck turned to .292" and getting 2940fps with a 140 berger vld and will consistently print 1" groups at 500 meters.

46.0gr H4831SC in a "standard" 260 Lapua case with 140gr A-Max only gave me 2762fps from a 26" 1:8 Criterion...

[sinman]

260ai dies are easy to come buy, get lapua brass and shoot away. You can take your current barrel and have it rechambered

[bootsmcguire]

For reloading purposes on most cases I say go with Ackley Version. The shoulder almost completely eliminates trimming and case stretch greatly increasing brass life. The investment in the rechamber job will pay for itself over time with savings in brass. Plus you get a lil extra zip behind the bullets.

As for dies, get the Lee Collet die set for the 260 Rem. It will work great with the 260AI. Then just order yourself a Redding 260AI body die for those times you want to bump shoulders back and such. I use this system on my 6BR and my 243AI currently and both work great with great brass life, great accuracy, and I didn't break the bank on dies either.

JMHO's

[stomp442]

46.0gr H4831SC in a "standard" 260 Lapua case with 140gr A-Max only gave me 2762fps from a 26" 1:8 Criterion...

My guess is I got a fast barrel and the thicker lake city cases are giving me a boost. And I'm not complaining. I've had mine over 3000 fps but the accuracy wasn't there so I backed it down to the sweet spot. 46 grains in my rifle shows signs of pressure with flattened primers and slightly sticky bolt lift.

[EOD350]

Thank you Boots for the info.

[scope eye]

It has come to the point that, the 260 AI is so common and main stream, it's not even considered to be a non standard cartridge.

Dean

[calib]

For reloading purposes on most cases I say go with Ackley Version. The shoulder almost completely eliminates trimming and case stretch greatly increasing brass life. The investment in the rechamber job will pay for itself over time with savings in brass. Plus you get a lil extra zip behind the bullets.

As for dies, get the Lee Collet die set for the 260 Rem. It will work great with the 260AI. Then just order yourself a Redding 260AI body die for those times you want to bump shoulders back and such. I use this system on my 6BR and my 243AI currently and both work great with great brass life, great accuracy, and I didn't break the bank on dies either.

JMHO's
+1 for ackley
i love the ackley version of most cases have a 22-250 and 243 and have the barrel and dies coming for the 260 version. will be using necked down lake city 308 brass

[MTGunner]

260AI, Lapua .243 brass necked up to .264. Fire form brass and only neck size there after. Redding 260AI or 6.5x308x40 deluxe die set. This will allow approx. 5% more powder drop. I load 45.0 gr. of H4350 to get 2895+/- 10 fps loading a 130 Berger VLD hunting. This is a very stable and accurate cartridge. It will, with a 26" bbl., equal the 6.5X284 cartridge shooting 130 gr. Berger hunting VLD projectiles.

[Idahojoe]

Have 2 6.5x284s and my go to gun is 260AI, less noise, recoil. Same great accuracy with no more fuss than the others.