predator hunter .260 accuracy problems

[Mxracer532]

Guys I need help, I loaded up some 140gn Bergers with H-4350 and could not get them to shoot worth a crap. 2+" groups at 100.*Loads were 41.5 gns of h-4350, WLRM primers, 2.95 C.O.L (into the lands) 42gns same C.O.L.also same charges just changed C.O.L to 2.92 (just off the lands) dont have a way to measure actual distance off lands. It seemed like both loads and C.O.L didnt change accuracy virtually at all.No pressure signs with any of the loads. Any ideas????I also shot a group with factory Barnes 120gn TSX's and they were slightly better. 1.5"+ groups.*I was planning on using this .260 on my back country spring bear hunt in a month but with the poor accuracy my Gordy Gritters built Remington .243 is going. Easy .5" 5 shot groups at 100 with 95gn Berger VLDS at 3136fps.

[BoilerUP]

Ditch the magnum primers.

Load OAL just kissing the lands.

Load three rounds at 41.5gr and go up 0.3gr until you get to 43.5ish.

Shoot an OCW.

Pick the OCW, and load up various OALs from 0.010 jam to 0.040" jump in 0.010 increments.

Pick the best couple OALs, load 10 each, shoot to verify, then load up a BUNCH.

[stomp442]

Make sure all your screws are tight and that the tang and barrel are floated. Sometimes a barrel just won't shoot the bullet we want it to very well. Try an Amax and a match king and see if it will shoot those better. Also I have had occasions where I was unable to get the bergers to shoot good at 100 but shot amazingly at 200 on out.

[mnhntr]

My Predator 10 in .260 does under an inch with 140gr AMAX over H4350 but will not shoot the Bergers that good. I found the best was 123gr AMAX over H4350 and I am using Federal Match Primers.

[Mxracer532]

Thanks guys I will give it a shot. Just was blown away at how poor it shot all together. Even the factory loads were pretty pathetic at 1.5".
I pretty much have to make the Bergers work as I just bought 500 of them. (All they had).

[Mxracer532]

Ditch the magnum primers.

Load OAL just kissing the lands.

Load three rounds at 41.5gr and go up 0.3gr until you get to 43.5ish.

Shoot an OCW.

Pick the OCW, and load up various OALs from 0.010 jam to 0.040" jump in 0.010 increments.

Pick the best couple OALs, load 10 each, shoot to verify, then load up a BUNCH.
OCW?? Sorry for the newb but whats OCW?

[sharpshooter]

Have you checked the concentricity?

[limige]

Lmao. Hes a new people chill.

Thats pretty scary. Most people shoot bergers about .010 off the rifling (jump)
If you are not setup to measure there are ways but you really should get the tools.
hornandy OAL gauge and ogive comparitor with modified case in your caliber
calipers

Then you can consistently measure your length from the rifling. Guessing is not an easy road.

Your best off using a more forgiving bullet like the amax and load to factory length until you get the proper tools. Bergers are very picky.

[limige]

Imo screw ocw. You'll spend too much time trying to decipher targets.
Google ladder test for relaoding.
ideally shoot at 400 yrds or better. Load two rounds every .5 gr going 2 gr over max. Load jammed.

Video tape or have someone to record your shots. Start at the lowest charge and work up until your get a sticky bolt or flattened primers, now you know max charge weight (overpressure) I would stop 1 gr below this for future test.

Anyway mark each shot in order shot and chart out the corresponding charge weight.
You'll see groups. These are nodes.
Dont look at horizontal wind issues just look at vertical.
shoot this test twice at seperate targets.

Pick out a few nodes and load six rounds for groups testing. Pick the two best and then try different seating test working back at .03-.04 increments. Again load groups and see what shoots best and your done.

There are in depth articles on snipershide.com under reloading. Check out the sticky threads at top reloading for long range shooting.

[limige]

Ocw and ladder testing are both going about the same idea but ladder testing is much easier for noobs. Its very cut and dry.

Heres one I did with my creedmoor

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/limige/20130701_114940_zpse8d532e6.jpg

[BoilerUP]

OCW?? Sorry for the newb but whats OCW?

No worries.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

Middle of last year I started using the OCW method and I found it to require fewer rounds to locate the optimal charge weight, then I shot a 'modified OCW' where I changed OAL instead of charge to fine-tune the load.

When I shot the first OCW in my 260 it confirmed the charge weight I had been using the previous couple years, which was derived in a very similar fashion from OP's attempts (going up 0.5gr which is far too much, with precious few changes to seating depth).

As mentioned, "reading" the targets can be tricky but thankfully Dave Newberry himself often helps with analysis if you post your targets on a place like SnipersHide or PracticalRifler.

The problem I have with a ladder test is it requires 300yd+ to do one effectively, and I have to travel 90 minutes to get to a place where I can do that...whereas a 100yd range is about 20 minutes from my house and OCW is designed to be tuned at 100 yards.

Both methods (OCW and ladder) serve the same purpose, just different means to reach the end.

[Mxracer532]

Lmao. Hes a new people chill.

Thats pretty scary. Most people shoot bergers about .010 off the rifling (jump)
If you are not setup to measure there are ways but you really should get the tools.
hornandy OAL gauge and ogive comparitor with modified case in your caliber
calipers

Then you can consistently measure your length from the rifling. Guessing is not an easy road.

Your best off using a more forgiving bullet like the amax and load to factory length until you get the proper tools. Bergers are very picky.

I see the problem im going to have already. No place has the .260 modified case. All backordered and my hunt is in 30 days.

[broncbob]

Make your own modified case. Drill out the flash hole and tap.

[stomp442]

Or buy one of these. Works great.

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/measuring-tools/bullet-comparators/sinclair-bullet-comparator-1-sku749002942-34262-66673.aspx?cm_mmc=cse-_-Itwine-_-shopping-_-Sinclair%20Hex%20Style%20Bullet%20Comparators&gdftrk=gdfV21820_a_7c187_a_7c1021_a_7c749002942_d_ 749002942_d_20531

[limige]

I would make your own as mentioned out of a fired casing.
drill and tap then saw a split in the neck with a hacksaw and deburr

[Mxracer532]

Here is a few pics of my last outing in load development. Wind was 15mph or so right at my back. The best group is a .010 jam.
http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/Mxracer532/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_103658.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Mxracer532/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_103658.jpg.html)
http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/Mxracer532/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_103712.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Mxracer532/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_103712.jpg.html)

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/Mxracer532/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_104033.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Mxracer532/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140405_104033.jpg.html)

[limige]

Thats pretty darn nice shooting!

[Mxracer532]

Thats pretty darn nice shooting!

The one group is great, I was kinda suprised that the next best group was way off the lands and just alittle less than an inch.
The rest were pretty crappy.

[limige]

Well thats why its load development. But less than .400 is pretty darn good. If it repeats thats fantastic. Your always going to see some crappy groups with various seating depths.