Need some help with .260 Rem (6.5mm)

I built a 260 on a Savage LA. I used a Shilen barrel, Calahan recoil lug, and a SSS stock. I have been trying various bullets, powders, brass etc but the best I can get out of this gun is maybe 3/4 MOA. I've managed to tune my other guns to the point where they stack bullets in virtually the same hole, so I know my technique should be sufficient. The rifle is also bedded in case you're wondering.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an accurate 260 receipe? Power, bullet? I've tried 142g HPBT with Varget, and 120g Spitzer with IMR 4895. I've tried varying the jump but nothing seems to help. The barrel is an 8 twist.

Any ideas or maybe a load which works for you?

I would look at H4350, H4831SC and/or RL-19 with 120 and 140/142 gr bullets. I found the H4350 to be the most consistent in the three 260 barrels I've owned.

42-43gr H4350 with a 139-142gr bullet seems to be pretty standard with the 260, as is 45-46gr H4831SC.

I've been using the 123 A-Max and getting 3000fps and very good accuracy (half MOA or less, depending on the moron behind the trigger) with a compressed 48.0gr H4831SC load in my 26" Criterion barrel.

39.3gr Varget (since you already have it) also worked well with the 123s, but was "only" good for 2925fps.

Are you sure the tang is floated? Is you barrel sporter or varmint weight? If sporter, and your shooting five shot groups, you may see better results with three shot groups, waiting a couple of minutes between shots. If your able to, check bullet runout on the loaded rounds. You could have a bad seating and/or sizing die.

Thanks guys. I'll recheck the tang area again when I get home tonight. I was pretty sure I did not touch the tang when bedding it, but I'll verify it again, there could always be something I missed.

I'll also check the run out as well. That's a good suggestion and I didn't think of it.

Maybe this evening I'll pick up some different powder too. I was looking for an excuse to pick up some different powders! Give me a chance to check out the local toy store again.

I'll try to keep you posted as to how it all works out. Needless to say, it's been a frustrating journey so far with this rifle combination.

Thanks all.

I am in the same boat as you. I have a 260ai and I have tried 4350 Hybrid 100v and 4831 and I have found nothing that works so far. But I am using 120 gamekings for bullets. I have shot all 100 bullets in the box and have found nothing.

My 260AI preferred H4831SC with 140 gr. bullets and I choose H4350 w/ 129gr. tips. I tried RL17, etc. Those 2 were the best

What brand of brass are you using? Are the necks annealed? Have you checked your loaded rounds for runout?

Well excellent question. At 1st I used Rem 260 brass, but primer pockets got smoked in like 3 reloads, so I went to (this was b4 Lapua made 260Bass) 308 lapua brass, sized to 7-08 then 260, then fireformed, cleaned up necks- high spots, etc. to 14-15thou. thickness. I lost some vel w/ the Lapua brass due to less internal capacity, but it is lasting great.
I never had to check for runout as it always shot great. I have / had a Shilen 28" bull bbl Sel. match tube on it. B4 that I had a 26" Varm contour .260ai. They both shot better than I could at the time. My 6brx is in another league. I built it differently- tgt timed and trued action, PTG oversized fluted bolt, EVO trigger, Kreiger cut rifled barrel, no nut, chambered by one of the top guys in BR in our area, different stock all together, etc. So, its a different machine. But I stil love the 6.5s

Anneal those necks! I'll bet the trip from 308 to 264 has them hard as a rock! I anneal my necks every third loading, and my SD and ES #'s are very low. My groups aren't too bad either...

[img width=576 height=768]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a271/rvpilot76/NadineKrylonLightWoodlandGreen007.jpg[/img]

Kevin

That's a ten-shot group with three separate trips to the target. Range 100 yards. First load put together with the AMAX, and using a Bushnell Elite 10X MilDot for optics. Front and rear bagged.

I had a short time with my 260 before it got reamed out to AI... My McGowan barrel loved the 4350 IMR or H, the rl17 did almost as well (using mag primers and 95-105% case capacities). I upsized the capacity to try to get closer to the 3k mark with the 130's.

Sweet groups! Love Those A Maxes performance for the money, I hear u on annealing, u reconfirmed my recent thoughts on all my made\fireformed brass.

I should also mention that I used CCI BR primers. No need to go magnum on 45 grains...:-D

Try 44gr of R22 behind a Nosler Accubond, Speer Hot core or SGK 140 grainers. I get 1/2 inch groups with it. all bullits same poi.

A little late. This was taken from another board. Hornady 140 gr Amax, CCI BR2, H4350 43.0 gr. OAL 2.850" , same load I use in mine for competition.
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Shawn Carlock