My recently completed sub-$900 "tactical/practical/do everything" rifle:
Shots 8-10 down the tube earlier today using my mild "go-to, if it don't shoot this something is wrong" 260 hunting load...looks like it has potential
For comparison's sake, this same load through a 22" 1:9 Remington 700 Mountain LSS averages 2800fps...so 15fps/inch less velocity.
Dunno why the 260 isn't a standard caliber on every manufacturers product list. It has similar performance to the Creedmoor. You have a nice high performance rifle there. $900? You get what you pay for.
Dunno why all barrels aren't 20". I have only one 20" centerfire and I love how easy it carries.
Congrats
Nice BU. What twist rate?
1:8 twist, varmint contour.
39.3gr Varget with a 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 2.79" bugholes in all three of my 260s; it ain't the fastest or highest BC load but deer can't tell the difference. Now to see what 123 Amax, 140 HPBT, and 142 SMK will do with H4350 and/or RL17...
Last edited by BoilerUP; 08-28-2013 at 09:49 PM.
Very nice, I just finished my 260 also.
Less than a few years ago the .260 was going the way of the do-do bird. Remington made a few offering in .260 but nobody else offered it. In fact the ammo was a seasonal run for Federal and Winchester and Remington made the only reloading brass. With the saturation on the market of 6.5mm match bullets the long range and competition shooters become interested in the chambering.
This proves the old adage: build a better mousetrap and the world will drive right by.Originally Posted by JCalhoun
Since the varmint contour is heavier than a sporter contour the 20" barrel adds carry-ability. I noticed when looking for barrels for sporterizing a Yugo Mauser that Midway offers the 260 and the 257 Roberts. The 260 seems to have held its own in the aftermarketplace.
BoilerUP what made you interested in the 260 over the Creedmoor and the Roberts?
I already owned two 260s...so already set up with a good stash of reloading components.
If I was getting my first 6.5mm today I'd choose Creedmoor based on availability/cost of factory ammo and brass and a slightly more mag length friendly OAL, but being a decade into owning a 260, none of that was a game changer to me.
My .260 also shoots well with varget, 100 grain bullets and 20" barrel, I think you will benefit more from the faster burn rate of varget, but reloaded 17 might get you some extra fps.
Very nice!!!
I'm really loving the 260 Rem. Have only put a few hundred rounds down the tube, but it sure is accurate.
Very nice little setup, and nice rifle BTW!
oh , it has potential !
60 rounds down the tube as of this afternoon.
Got a couple 0.65" @ 100yd groups today with 140gr HPBT and 142gr SMK over 43.0gr H4350; not bad but I'm certain the system can do better.
Hope to verify some loads tomorrow, then its time to stretch its legs to 1100 at Rockcastle on Saturday.
Is that a weaver 3-10x40 mil/mil scope?
What velocity are you getting with the 140's with the H4350? I just want to compare. I'm getting 2675fps with my 20" McGowan pushing factory Rem 140g corelokts.
I've got some Berger 130's that I want to try when I get my hands on some powder.
"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar
Yes, it is a Weaver GS Tactical 3-10x40 mil/mil MidwayUSA special; I have two of them and IMO they are worth more than their $299 price point due to their optical clarity, brightness, and repeatability/tracking. With the 1" tube they are kind of elevation limited (60MOA/16.5mil) but with a 20MOA Weaver base and +0 inserts in the Signature Zee rings, I have 14.5mil from a 100yd zero.
As for velocity...I'm not certain as my ProChrono seems to be fairly light sensitive and I haven't been able to confirm at distance yet. I do think 43.0gr H4350 with a 140/142 is in the 2690fps ballpark given an average of average velocities, however. I've decided I *need* a Magnetospeed...don't tell my wife.
2700fps is easily reachable with 139/142s and H4350, with RL17 possibly getting me to 2800 (will test later).
If you have a ballistic calculator you can use your drop table to find velocity, just have to play with the velocity until it matches your table.
Almost forgot but you have to know your BC to plug in.
Yes, you do need the magnetospeed. My wife bought me one for my birthday after some less than subtle hints. It's a great unit.
"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar
Ran more 20 rounds down it today (the irregular schedule of a pilot); recipe was 142 SMK & 43.0gr H4350 in 1x Nosler brass with CCI-200, running 2.87-2.84" COAL in 0.01" increments.
In bright direct sunlight, the average for all 20 rounds across my ProChrono was a hair over 2700fps.
Compared to yesterday shooting virgin Nosler brass, the rifle seemed less accurate with once fired, FL sized. The best results were with COAL @ 2.84", with 5-shot group just over an inch with a three-shot cloverleaf and a 2-shot cloverleaf 9 o'cock to the center of the 3-shot group. The horizontal could have been my trigger pull, I dunno.
Loaded up 30 of those for Rockcastle this weekend so if nothing else I should be able to verify velocity at distance, and maybe when I get time in the next couple weeks I'll do a proper OCW with the 142 and hopefully nail down a load.
What stock is that? Looks like exactly what I am looking for. Looks a lot like the Manners stock I've had my eye on. Good looking rig.
A curious thing about Savages 20" compact barrels. Ive seen other brands like Ruger that use 18" barrels but Savage didn't go that far for their own reasons. I don't think they wanted to trade even a little bit of accuracy. Savages have a rep for accuracy that was hard earned. Don't get me wrong, I have a dozen or so Rugers of various types but I don't think Ruger has a rep for accuracy that equals Savages. but then what do I know?
Shorter barrels are not less accurate than longer barrels.
Less velocity yes, less accuracy no.
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