.260 load for 28" Criterion Savage? (Target Pics Inside)

I've started playing with a Criterion 28" Bull in .260 Rem Match (1/8 twist) on a Savage 12 action. The two bullets I'm playing with are the Hornady 140 ELD and Nosler 123 gr Custom Comp. Below are some recent targets of 4 shot groups at 300 yards using H4350. I'm seating both types of bullets about .020 off of the lands.

For the 140s, I loaded them up to 42.0 grains of H4350 and for the 123 CCs, I loaded them up to 45.2 gr of H4350. Both loads are using Lapua brass and CCI 200s.

I've looked online and the loads are all over the place in terms of charges. Is there one general load that everyone has found well for the 140 ELDs and for the 123 Nosler CCs? Should I be increasing my charges? I haven't head a chance to chrono yet but did not notice pressure signs on the brass.

Below are some pics of what's going on at 300 yards with the various charges:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...pstmsrkbkp.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps2hytjvu5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psthnctfe8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psnv3uw6rv.jpg

I have the same exact barrel assuming its an 8 twist. Although I don't shoot either of those bullets you mentioned, my barrel likes the 142 SMK's and the 140 Berger Hybrids around 2745-2750 FPS which is 41.8 grains for the 142 SMK and 41.9 for the 140 Hybrid using H4350, Lapua brass and CCI BR2s.. I shoot both projectiles at .030 off the lands and it shoots right around a 1/2 MOA if I do my part. However, your targets are very similar to mine in that 3 shots will be right together and one shot off in la la land.. I've always kinda pointed the finger at my reloading causing those fliers, but I've yet to prove it either way.. I try to load them all the same..

Grouping isn't terrible but there could be many issues that cause that flyer. The easiest one to look into would be to make sure your cheek weld is the same and that your rest position is the same from shot to shot. I would also look into making sure that your barrel and tang area are floated and bed the action if it is not already.

Yes, the barrel is an 8 twist and it currently only has 50 rounds down the barrel. I opted not to take a chronograph with me and wished I had. Therefore, I have no idea about ES numbers.

As for the barrel being free floated and bedded, I did bed the action into a B&C A2 stock using MarineTex. I had to open the barrel channel some for free floating and on the beding job, I did not bed past the recoil lug. I used three layers of painters tape around the bottom and sides of the lugs. The action is torqued into the stock @ 40-in./lbs. Regarding the tang and the stock, I did not bed this area but the stock is touching the tang as far as I can tell. I may need to relieve the stock in this area. I'm really happy with the 3 shots but cannot understand the flier in each of the groups...Could me be I suppose.

The tang touching even a little bit has always caused me fits and flyers in a group. It has the same effect on harmonics as your barrel touching somewhere. I would relieve that area and see if that improves it any.

I also shoot the 142 smk's out of a 28" bartlein. I push them with 4831sc and am getting 2850fps with very low es numbers. Slower powder in a longer barrel was my thought and it has been working very well.

Chrono your tests, it will let you know if you should be adding more powder or if you are happy with where you are.

As far as one load that will shoot both bullets, I think you are speaking of the holy grail. You will end up sacrificing something from each bullet to get a happy medium where both shoot ok instead of putting in the extra time to make sure they both shoot great. That is just my thoughts on the matter though, take it for what you will.

I want to try and build a load with 130 accubonds that will mag feed but have not been able to find either the bullets or the time.

I'm looking for a tuned load for each bullet. Not necessarily looking for one load that works in both. Anyone have a pic of how much relief there should be for the tang? This was a B&C stock that has already needed quite a bit of fitting work for it to all work.

I will say this, of the 3 shots in each group, I'm super impressed with how they grouped at 300 yards. I've had custom .308s that I couldn't get to shoot this tight.

As far as the tang is concerned, you just need enough clearance so that it doesn't touch the stock....even a light touch will be enough to cause erratic fliers. I know this because I just went through this as well. I just took a dremel tool with a sanding drum and lightly bumped the high spots in the stock under the tang. It took two or three tries, using a dollar bill as a feeler gauge, until it was free floated. The only resistance you should feel, is the dollar bill (or whatever you choose to use) bumping the trigger. Like I said, mine was barely touching, and that little bit of work made a night and day difference in my groups!

Also scope/eye alignment, even if cheek weld is the same. And check the loaded ammo for bullet runout. A slight misalignment there could cause the flier.

Also knowing if it's first shot or what number in the string. If random I would look at shooter or runout.

I'm not so sure floating the tang is going to eliminate the fliers. There could be other causes, however it is certainly not going to hurt. I got mine where I can slide this notched business card under it easily. However, I've gone back and got a little more clearance since then... My action is also bedded. I am really leaning to either shooter or reloader error with my rifle.. I have gradually gotten better so hang in there and keep it up..

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...psb4112d14.jpg




Here is a 300 yard group with my 260 Rem 28" bull 8 twist from CBI... If I could just shake that one shot this group would have been in the 3's... This is one of my better groups also... Typically those fliers will make the group a 3/4 moa group...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...psqsx02w3g.jpg

which round is going outta the group?

all of them look like 1/2" or so which is pretty good at 300yds...id be willing to bet money the flier is you...those groups all look the same except the one shot way outta the group...41.5g seems to be a pretty good load for most with the 140s but you might want to shoot an OCW test its one of the fastest ways to find a load.