Getting a 260 rem, what can I expect?

[Kurt505]

I'm picking up a 260 rem with a 20-1/4" barrel, I was wondering what I can expect for velocities?

Also what type of bullet/powder should I be getting to start out my loading? It will primarily be used as a deer gun, with the odd yote or elk thrown into the mix.

I'm thinking a barnes ttsx in a 120gr and maybe an accubond in a 140? Maybe a Berger VLD?

Any tips or advise is appreciated.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I would go with Varget for lighter bullets 100-120gr or h4831/h4350 for heavier 120+.....if you can find it RL17 is supposed to produce top velocities...

Your Achilles heel here is going to be the barrel length. I have a 26inch pipe on my 260ai and I get 3050fps with a 129gr bullet so I am not sure what you can expect.

LC

[6.5 shooter]

I agree barrel length will be a down fall
I am getting very close to 2700 with 140 gr. bullets out of mine. Sorry but can,term ember what powders I am using but Berbers in 140 hornady in 129 very accurate.
Sako grey wolf 22.8" barrel I believe

[Kurt505]

I was a little suspect about the 20" barrel at first, now I'm really suspect about it. I might have to see about changing my order...

[gerrygoat]

I had a 20" barrelled gun and it wasn't that much slower than a 22" barrel, my current 260 Rem has a 24" barrel and not surprisingly is a bit faster yet. The most consistently accurate bullet I have tried is the 129 gr Hornady Interlock, the 130 and 140 gr Accubond are great choice as well. There are lots of great choices for powder but I would look at H 4350 first and also look at IMR 4350 and H 4831 sc. if you want to run 140's take a look at IMR 7828 ssc to go along with the others.

[Cappy]

Your barrel length is just fine. Unless you plan on shooting regularly at 800yds plus the velocity you will get from a 20" barrel is more then adequate.

Typically lighter bullets and slower powders causes the greatest reduction in velocity when you shorten a barrel. Also the greater the case capacity the greater the reduction. A .260 is not a large capacity case and if you stick with a faster powder like a H4350 you will be OK.

I have both extremes a 24" 260AI and match gun that runs 136gr Lapuas at an easy 2950 and a 16.5" 260 that pushes 120's to 2700. Also a few in between's .260 with 24" barrels as well as several 6.5x55's.

With a mild load we used one of the 24" .260's launching a 140gr Ultra Bonded at 2700fps and it blew through a 40" bull moose at 289yds and dropped it in it's tracks. The only 6.5 bullet I have ever recovered from a deer was at 450m and it was a berger 130gr. Used that paltry 16.5" gun to shoot a 130" Wt buck broadside at 309yds and it punched through both shoulders and the buck piled up in 20yds.

If I was looking to shoot a 20" barrel .260 i would have a hard look at 130gr class bullets like the accubond or the Hornady IB. I'd be very surprised that you couldnt get above 2700fps with them.

Just finished doing some testing on short barrel .308's and was surprised at the velocity you can obtain with as little as 14.5" of burn space.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I was a little suspect about the 20" barrel at first, now I'm really suspect about it. I might have to see about changing my order...

I would not worry about the velocity out of a 20". In 260
I've seen plenty of deer killed with short barrelled 308's and
6.5x55's with barrels of 18-20"
Cat

[mac1013]

I use 44.5 GR IMR 4350 Fed 210 primers with 120Gr TTSX this was an awesome load in my 260 , as well 123GR SMK worked awesome at 45GR of IMR 4350 , the 260 is an amazing cartridge you can throw just about anything at them and they will shoot ,or so my experience has been , you might want to try some 129GR Nosler AB LR very good bullet for this cartridge .

[waterfowler1969]

I am pushing a 130 bullet out of my gun with a 21.5" bbl @ 2778 fps using 39 grains of varget.

[gerrygoat]

Originally Posted by mac1013

I use 44.5 GR IMR 4350 Fed 210 primers with 120Gr TTSX this was an awesome load in my 260 , as well 123GR SMK worked awesome at 45GR of IMR 4350 , the 260 is an amazing cartridge you can throw just about anything at them and they will shoot ,or so my experience has been , you might want to try some 129GR Nosler AB LR very good bullet for this cartridge .

I killed 3 deer with the 129 gr ABLR and they work well, I prefer a bit tougher bullet for the closer ranges over here but the ABLR would shine in your province though. I had no problems at close range with them (and btw the ones in the classifieds are sold, I just can't edit the post till tonight lol)

[Team Anzac]

Originally Posted by gerrygoat

I killed 3 deer with the 129 gr ABLR and they work well, I prefer a bit tougher bullet for the closer ranges over here but the ABLR would shine in your province though. I had no problems at close range with them (and btw the ones in the classifieds are sold, I just can't edit the post till tonight lol)

Why waste your time, 270 Wsm is practically a lazer.

[gerrygoat]

The 6.5's are great and work well with good speed and accuracy to go along with low recoil. I do like the 270 Win and Wby, the WSM is good but for some reason doesn't turn my crank.

[Team Anzac]

Originally Posted by gerrygoat

The 6.5's are great and work well with good speed and accuracy to go along with low recoil. I do like the 270 Win and Wby, the WSM is good but for some reason doesn't turn my crank.

Sorry Gerry, ment to hit post reply not to quote you in my reply. Blame it on my sausage fingers. Just trying to terrorize Kurt a bit.

[gerrygoat]

No problem

[CheeseBurger]

I don't shoot 260 but I do shoot 6.5x55 and they are pretty similar so I would expect powder's used to be close. I use Varget, RL22 and H4350 in mine.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Team Anzac

Why waste your time, 270 Wsm is practically a lazer.

I have to at least pretend I still know how to hunt...

[Team Anzac]

I have a reply but don't want to offend.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Team Anzac

I have a reply but don't want to offend.

I guess I could use bluejeans as camo if I had it 270 short mag

[twofifty]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I was a little suspect about the 20" barrel at first, now I'm really suspect about it. I might have to see about changing my order...

Pushing a 129gr Hdy interlock to 2,800+ fps from a 20" barrel, 1 in 8" twist.
This is with IMR 4831.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by gerrygoat

I killed 3 deer with the 129 gr ABLR and they work well, I prefer a bit tougher bullet for the closer ranges over here but the ABLR would shine in your province though. I had no problems at close range with them (and btw the ones in the classifieds are sold, I just can't edit the post till tonight lol)

ABLR, accubond long range? I've been looking for those but haven't come across any yet. I'm looking forward to developing some loads for this rifle, can't wait to try it out. Realistically most, if not all my shots will be inside 300yds. I'll be putting a leupy with a CDS system on it, so I guess speed isn't going to be very important, I should be able to get 2000fps @ 400yds without much problems from what I'm guessing.

[gerrygoat]

Yes they were the Accubond Long Range, and my remaining bullets have found a good home. I thought they performed well but the regular 130 gr Accubond is very accurate and will be a bit tougher at the closer ranges we usually get here, they still will expand way out there. I got my ABLR's from Nechako sports in Vanderhoof, took about 6 months to get in but somehow I got them before they came out in the U.S. There are a lot of good 6.5mm bullets out there and few bad choices.

[Kurt505]

I've never loaded for a 6.5 before but I'm thinking with the 260 speeds a nosler partition would be a good choice, I think a barnes ttsx or tsx wouldn't expand enough. Am I wrong?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I've never loaded for a 6.5 before but I'm thinking with the 260 speeds a nosler partition would be a good choice, I think a barnes ttsx or tsx wouldn't expand enough. Am I wrong?

Yup the 260 drive. The TTSX more than fast enough
Just use a lighter bullet, which is recto ended anyway by Barnes
Cat

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Yup the 260 drive. The TTSX more than fast enough
Just use a lighter bullet, which is recto ended anyway by Barnes
Cat

Hmmm, thanks Cat. I've had good luck getting loads in .284 and 30cal with the barnes so far, I was hoping to be able to use them with the 260.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Hmmm, thanks Cat. I've had good luck getting loads in .284 and 30cal with the barnes so far, I was hoping to be able to use them with the 260.

Load the 100, 110, 120's and let 'er buck!
They'll get out and kill cleanly as far as any 308 sized caes.
Cat

[TUFFBUFF]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Load the 100, 110, 120's and let 'er buck!
They'll get out and kill cleanly as far as any 308 sized caes.
Cat

Yep I had a 120TSX in Federal factory ammo go though a cow elk at a bit over 250 yrds so no worries.
I wouldn't be to excited about shooting 140's though, especially in a shorter barrel. They don't start fast enough for me, but they do keep on going out there so 6 of one I guess.

I thought the 125 nosler would be about perfect but wouldn't group in my 2, then read some stuff and lots said they had they had the same deal, in different cartridges boot.

[Kurt505]

I want to use this rifle for a still hunting rifle, compact and light with most shots inside 200yds, but I think it will also make a nice plinker.

[xbolthunter7mm]

I'd be a nice gun for a 10 year old girl

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by xbolthunter7mm

I'd be a nice gun for a 10 year old girl

Some guys need a big rifle to make up for their short comings, some already have a big gun.