260 rem powder choices

[wjarrell]

I'm getting ready to do some load development in my newly built 111 260 rem with a 24" Criterion match chamber. This is a hunting rifle and it will be shot in summer and winter so I need a temperature stable powder. The first bullet I'm going to try is the 140 VLD in Lapua brass with CCI 200 primers. I'm aware that H4350 is a very popular powder for the 260 but it is nonexistent right now. I have varget and will try that but I would like to try a couple others as well. Any help will be appreciated.

[390fe]

Run your specs through Hodgdon's online load data page for suggestions. There are twelve suggested loads between IMR, Winchester, and Hodgdon.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

[FW Conch]

I have had good success with IMR 4350 with 140's. Hogdgon only lists one load at 43grns, and that is what I go with. It worked better for Me than Varget. I was able to pick up a pound of H4350 last month, but haven't been able to try it yet. I am anxious to try it to see if all the hub bub is justified. :-)

[XL105]

....

[darkker]

This is a hunting rifle and it will be shot in summer and winter so I need a temperature stable powder. .

Just keep in mind, that most will parrot Hodgdon's marketing garbage, and don't understand the truth.
"Extreme" powders, marketed as temp stable, are NOT a universal property. Making an extruded powder stable is from careful designing around a specific set of conditions. If you take that powder outside of those conditions, you may not have the same results. The next bit is about "Un-stable powders" unless you are talking VERY old tech in first generation powders, this is mostly overblown.
Dr. Denton Bramwell's who used to write along side the lines of Litz in the Varmint hunter magazine, has done a good amount of work on this topic. Unlike the non-existant test info relayed by Hodgy, he does. When testing 55gr binders in the 223, Varget was BY FAR the worst powder for being sensitive. The very old H335 line was the best, and despite what Hodgdon tells you it on fact was NOT designed for the 5.56 anyway... So Varget was very sensitive to temp in those tests, does that mean it resulted in poor accuracy? Not at all. It never ran away, just wasn't super-magic; because that is not where it was designed to be such.

There only powder that is a very early generation, and known to be problematic with run aways(if pushed hard) is H414/Win760/AA2700. They are all three the very same powder.

[gbflyer]

I found H335 to be very temp sensitive in .223. Maybe I had a bad lot.

[Wide Glide]

I found H335 to be very temp sensitive in .223. Maybe I had a bad lot.
Nope... it makes nice groups at 100 but when you take it out a little further and each time you go out your poi moves vertical. Applied ballistics app gets where I need to be with most loads and rifles but it's not even close with h335. I still like it at 100 and dont mind adjusting the turrets at the beginning of each ousting. It's the only powder I'll use in my progressive for 223. Varget on the other hand always lands where applied ballistics tells me it will.....

[justinp61]

My 22" pencil barrel Savage shooting 120gr bullets likes 4064 better than H4350. I also have H414 to try but haven't got to it yet.

[243LPR]

The new IMR 4955 should do great in the 260 and is supposed to be stable at all temps. I use it in the Swede and speed/accuracy are right up there with H4831sc that I was using.

[psharon97]

If you are worried about the powder being temp stable or not, the best advice I can give you is to shoot the rifle in the extremes of what you expect, from the hottest of days to the coldest, and build your dope card off of that. I would find the best powder that groups the best at the range and condition you plan on shooting. I've had great luck with H4831sc in my 260. It doesn't give quite as nice velocity as Reloader 17, I will try that powder eventually, but it does give me very nice groups shooting Lapua brass with Berger Hybrid 140.

[cowtownup]

I would try to get it to shoot H4831sc because it seems to be readily available from PV or other powder suppliers.. My 260 shoots lights out with H4350, however it is hard as hell to find at times. Some people claim R-17 to push same projectile much faster, however I have not tried despite having some on hand. Best of luck to you, the 260 is a fine choice IMO...

[LongRange]

H4831sc
H4350
IMR4350
IMR4451
RL-17

Take your pick all of those will make your 260 shoot...I'd also suggest you shoot something other than VLDs.


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[schnyd112]

I am going to second 4831sc and 142 smks. I am also shooting a 28" barrel so, theoretically, I may be getting a little more from the slower powder. LongRange has never steered be wrong so find out what you can get a few pounds of and start experimenting.

ps 4831sc is everywhere around here and I can load .260, 25-06, 300 wm and if everything works out, 7 SAUM with it. Results still pending on the .300 and the SAUM is a pipe dream.

[Zero333]

I also endorse H-4831sc... It might give up a little velocity (only because most of the time I find best accuracy below max) but it always guarantees superb accuracy.

As a side note about H-4831... I find my 243win barrels last much longer with H-4831sc than other powders.

[minnesotamulisha]

I just started load development for my 260 with Re19 and the 123 AMAX. I've heard it's sensitive to temp, but it was on clearance and the book velocities are what I wanted, which is what I got. 2975 fps at 46.5 grains in a factory 26 inch Savage LRP. I need to do some fine tuning, but the initial test looked promising.

I will continue to play with it this winter and see what I can push, but the challenge may be when the temps start to increase and we get those 100 degree days. Time will tell.


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[LongRange]

RL-19 is another great powder as well as...
IMR7828
norma MRP
RL-22
RL-25
IMR4831

and yes ive tried all of these and a few i cant remember...if you want pin point accuracy H4350 and H4831sc and 140g berger hybrids or 142g SMKs...if you want very accurate and stupid fast RL-17 and the same bullets....i spent about 7 years playing with 260rem loads and theres not much a 260 wont shoot well.

[hafejd30]

I run H4350 and 142 SMK. Shoot very well. Have shot past a mile with mine

[Dave Hoback]

Another for RL-17. But want to give RL-23 a try, as it's supposed to have less deviation to temps. Little slower as well so....

[LongRange]

RL-22(same as 23)is a great powder in a 260 ...as far as 23 being temp insensitive I doubt it is as it's still a double base powder.

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[Dave Hoback]

You think? So do you think 23 would be a waste over 22? The 22 I can get easier. I would just do that if that's the answer.