.260 Rem didn't perform well.

Kbeaner · 01-11-2009, 06:46 AM

I worked up a load of 40gr of IMR4350 with a 140gr GameKing this past fall. I used the IMR4350 simply b/c I had a full can of it. I didn't really get the accuracy I was hoping for, about a 1.5" @ 100yds,and ran out of time to do any more test loads(it was time to hunt!) Anyhow I came on here a couple years ago and was asking about loads for this round but lost the paper I wrote them down on. If I remember right VARGET was mentioned as being a good powder for the .260. Any help on which way I should go? The 40gr of 4350 was right in the middle load that my manual suggested. Should I work with the 4350 a little more, or try some different powder? This lil gun was tack driver with stock Core-lokts, I just want that same tack-driver with handloads as this is my go-to gun. thanks.

bronko22000 · 01-11-2009, 08:22 AM

Man I wish I could help you. The 260 Rem always intrigued me but I never owned one. Hopefully someone else can help you out. In the interim, you cna search Hodgen's reloading manual on line for some load info. Funny, IMR4350 seems to work well with cases similar to the 260.

cty100 · 01-11-2009, 08:36 AM

according to speer manual#14 start charge with imr 4350 should be 41.0 gr. have you tried bumping up/down your load by .5 grain increments yet? Since you already have the powder might as well give it a chance.
chris

01-11-2009, 12:35 PM

IMR4350 is a little slow for that round. Varget or IMR4064 is much more of an optimal powder for a 260. I have never loaded a 260 but have friends that do. I got lucky with sub 0.5MOA loads for a 7mm08 with IMR4350, but I don't think that is the case for everyone.

Ridge Runner · 01-11-2009, 03:51 PM

with a 140 I'd run it up closer to a max load, you'll get better results with a load lust under max pressure with 90% fill ratio of powder, find the powder charge it needs, then find the seating depth it likes. give the 4350 a proper workout, with heavy for caliber bullets it should work ok, I like powders as slow as IMR4831 in my 6mm.
RR

eldeguello · 01-17-2009, 06:05 AM

I would work with 4350 a little more. It has generally given me good accuracy in quite a fewdifferent cartridges,from .243 up to 8mm. Sounds like 40 grains may be on the light side. But try workingup in half-grain increments and test for group size at each level......

thndrchiken · 01-17-2009, 11:55 AM

Sierra's 5'th has starting load of 35.9 max load of 40.8 for I4350.

Nosler's 5'th is 39.0 to 43.0

Lyman's 48'th is 37.5 to 41.5

Hornady's 6'th does not list I4350

I would start working up in 1/2 gr increments you should start to see some better groups around 41.5 to 42.5 gr and give a load density in the 85 -90 % range. 4350 usually does pretty well in the 308 based cases but like BC said I would also try some 4064 or maybe even some H4831 SC.

Personally I would rather stay with a flat base bullet in the 260, less of the bullet seating down into the powder charge.