Anybody have a pet load for 260 Rem?

biologicole · July 20, 2011, 03:41 PM

Last weekend I received my Savage model 11 long range hunter in .260 Rem and need to find a good load. It has a 26" barrel with 1:8 twist. I already have some 140gr SMK's so I will probably start with those, but I'm not limiting myself to them while developing loads. I'm also using new Rem 260 brass. Anybody have a good pet load they would like to share with me?

BTW, I shot some factory Remington accutip 120gr through it during barrel break-in and the last 5 shot group was under 0.5". So far I'm impressed with my first Savage.

Doyle · July 20, 2011, 06:03 PM

With a 1 in 8 twist, go heavy. You can shoot at least a 140. If you want to, you could easily go higher.

biologicole · July 20, 2011, 07:22 PM

Thanks, I have some 140gr SMK's I was going to experiment with sooner or later. I was also leaning towards H4350 or H4831sc for powder.

Doyle · July 21, 2011, 07:41 AM

My own load (worked up via Quickload) is 41.9 gr of RL-17 pushing a 129grn Hornday SP. However, this is tailored specifically for my short 18.5" bbl. My hunting buddy shoots .260AI at the 1000yd range and he is using a slower burning powder for his 26" bbl.

GeauxTide · July 21, 2011, 12:16 PM

Love my Savage 16 and have had similar results with 120s. I'd stick with the medium slows. Between IMR-4831 and RL-19, both my 260s like RL-19. I'd be careful with the SMK, since most 260s have short throats. My primers showed some push back at 45gr of 19.

Clark · July 21, 2011, 10:52 PM

VZ24 action 260 Rem, 22" Douglas long chambered #3 taper 3 pound barrel VZ24 stock with barrel channel milled out but no epoxy Weaver #45 and #46 two piece steel scope mounts with Devcon Steelputty under the mounts and Loctite 242 on the threads. Burris Low tactical rings with 6 screws on the cap and a bolt on the Weaver rail.
IOR 2.5x10x42 scope with MP-8 1/2 mili rad reticule in first focal plane and moa turrets. Rubber tube extensions on both ends of the scope. Scope
center is 1.9" above bore center.
100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip moly coated # 26100 bullet moly coated ,
45.0 gr canister IMR4895, 2.940" over all length, almost no insertion of the bullet into the neck, due to the short bullet and long throat.
Quickload prediction 61,328 psi 3261 fps
chronographs as 3,236 fps

July 20, 2011, 03:41 PM	#1
biologicole Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 22	Anybody have a pet load for 260 Rem? Last weekend I received my Savage model 11 long range hunter in .260 Rem and need to find a good load. It has a 26" barrel with 1:8 twist. I already have some 140gr SMK's so I will probably start with those, but I'm not limiting myself to them while developing loads. I'm also using new Rem 260 brass. Anybody have a good pet load they would like to share with me? BTW, I shot some factory Remington accutip 120gr through it during barrel break-in and the last 5 shot group was under 0.5". So far I'm impressed with my first Savage.

July 20, 2011, 06:03 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	With a 1 in 8 twist, go heavy. You can shoot at least a 140. If you want to, you could easily go higher.

July 20, 2011, 07:22 PM	#3
biologicole Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 22	Thanks, I have some 140gr SMK's I was going to experiment with sooner or later. I was also leaning towards H4350 or H4831sc for powder.

July 21, 2011, 07:41 AM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	My own load (worked up via Quickload) is 41.9 gr of RL-17 pushing a 129grn Hornday SP. However, this is tailored specifically for my short 18.5" bbl. My hunting buddy shoots .260AI at the 1000yd range and he is using a slower burning powder for his 26" bbl.

July 21, 2011, 12:16 PM	#5
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Love my Savage 16 and have had similar results with 120s. I'd stick with the medium slows. Between IMR-4831 and RL-19, both my 260s like RL-19. I'd be careful with the SMK, since most 260s have short throats. My primers showed some push back at 45gr of 19.