.260 Remington (bolt-action), tips/advice?

[BradMacc82]

Any discernible difference in group sizes between the 120 and the 142? Have you shot enough of both (or others) to say you have a preference?

Today I didn't really go for groups after getting the velocities - I didn't want to lug everything over to the 100 yard line.

Velocities were obtained on the 50 yard firing line, and from what I saw on the 50 yard line - there wasn't a noticeable shift in POI with the chrono attached, or when I switched from the 120gr Amax to the 142gr SMK.

I love the 120's, in my rifle and with 39.6gr Varget - they are near perfection as far as I'm concerned. From 100 to 300 yards, I have nothing bad to say about them whatsoever.

The 142gr SMK's are a new bullet for me, and so far the rifle seems to like them just as much as the 120's. Over the weekend I'll try to finish the last of the chrono work and then go for groups.

142gr SMK and 42.3/42.5gr of H414 are showing a lot of promise, but I won't know for certain until I get back out and try to make little bug-holes on paper again.

 

[BradMacc82]

A fellow MDS'er shot my rifle today, and with him shooting the 120gr Amax he did rather well - considering my rifle is set up for a lefty shooter, and he's a righty.




The vertical dispersion I attribute to him trying to hold the rear of the rifle off the table while shooting. The bench at the 50 yard line isn't a full-depth bench/table like the 100 yard line.

He said "I'm not really a rifle guy", but after seeing how he did with my rifle - I think he may reconsider that statement. His first shot, drilled the center.

 

[Uncle Duke]

A fellow MDS'er shot my rifle today, and with him shooting the 120gr Amax he did rather well - considering my rifle is set up for a lefty shooter, and he's a righty.


View attachment 151052

The vertical dispersion I attribute to him trying to hold the rear of the rifle off the table while shooting. The bench at the 50 yard line isn't a full-depth bench/table like the 100 yard line.

He said "I'm not really a rifle guy", but after seeing how he did with my rifle - I think he may reconsider that statement.

Yeah....your buddy should give up rifles entirely!

 

[BradMacc82]

Yeah....your buddy should give up rifles entirely!

He's a hell of a shot with a pistol, and it appears he isn't entirely without talent on rifles as well.


Next time we shoot together, I'm going to set him up on the 100 yard line with a good table and see what he can do with a proper table and maybe even a rear bag for the rifle.

Ideally, make the drive out to Delmarva and do some 300 and 500 yard shots. 100 is nice, but I'm itching to get back up there again.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Today I didn't really go for groups after getting the velocities - I didn't want to lug everything over to the 100 yard line.

Velocities were obtained on the 50 yard firing line, and from what I saw on the 50 yard line - there wasn't a noticeable shift in POI with the chrono attached, or when I switched from the 120gr Amax to the 142gr SMK.

I love the 120's, in my rifle and with 39.6gr Varget - they are near perfection as far as I'm concerned. From 100 to 300 yards, I have nothing bad to say about them whatsoever.

The 142gr SMK's are a new bullet for me, and so far the rifle seems to like them just as much as the 120's. Over the weekend I'll try to finish the last of the chrono work and then go for groups.

142gr SMK and 42.3/42.5gr of H414 are showing a lot of promise, but I won't know for certain until I get back out and try to make little bug-holes on paper again.

Good info! I haven't worked with my 260 as much as I'd like, but it's definitely on my bucket list. Back when I got it, I played hell finding components. Now I have a closet full but I've been working with my 223's. I want good loads for five or six different powders rather than being restricted to the 2 favorite powders I got used to for years but then couldn't buy twice in a row. Anyway, I'll have to try those 120's. Of the Barnes and the Federal Fusion factory ammo that I shot making brass as much as anything because I couldn't find any brass at the time, the 120 Fusion shot better. Surprised me a bit. Keep up the good posts and I'll hopefully have an observation or two of my own to add before long. Definitely an intriguing cartridge for a lot of reasons! Good luck!

 

[BradMacc82]

The Federal Fusion .260Rem 120gr - has been one of my go-to's for known factory performing loads - they consistently did better than an inch in my rifle (shocked me). The Cor-Bon 123gr Scenar is also a solid performer, bonus is the Lapua brass.

Browning guy and I can both say, even the budget-friendly PPU bullets do very well. Their 120gr HP are what I first started loading, and they performed just as consistently as the pricier Match/Amax pills did, for a few bucks less per 100.

Don't be surprised if you get fixated on the .260 once you get started with it, it's just a joy to shoot.

 

[Bafflingbs]

I heard those things were pretty accurate.

 

[BradMacc82]

I heard those things were pretty accurate.

They definitely can be.

It's nice that the .308 is the parent case, makes a future caliber swap much easier.

 

[BradMacc82]

Well, went for groups today - and I admittedly shot like shit, if I'm completely honest.

The RL17 (39.6gr charge) groups were ok, but nothing worth photographing. Came close to an inch, but wasn't impressed with how I shot - might have potential, just not with me on this day.

The H414 loads did a little better. I'd gone up to 42.6gr on a batch last night, figure those were in the 2850 range. Grouped ok when I could do my part, but noticed more vertical disp. than I'd like to see.

The 42.3/42.1gr loads were better in consistency. I pulled 1 low right, and the horizontal dispersion is definitely the bag of meat yanking the trigger. Those were averaging 2746, so I think that's my target with the 142's and H414.

The only semi-decent 10-round group of the day -

 

[Uncle Duke]

You're hard on yourself.

That's worth another batch with a trickle charger.

 

[BradMacc82]

You're hard on yourself.

That's worth another batch with a trickle charger.

The 42.1 - 42.3gr range definitely shows promise, and I can very happily live with the velocity range on them.

I'm only hard on myself because I know the rifle can do better, it's the shooter that holds it back on some days - today was one of those days.

When I have more funds, I'll upgrade some of my equipment so the dragon can be given a proper chasing.

Believe it or not, all my ammo has been loaded on 1 press alone - the Lee Pro1000. Yes, I know it's not really designed to handle anything larger than .223Rem for rifles, but I make do with what I have.

 

[Bafflingbs]

Looks like you did well to me.

 

[E.Shell]

Brad, I would suggest that you look for loads that will provide you consistent velocities. There is a high probability that your rifle will shoot almost every load with a reasonable degree of precision and the variations you see in groups are not statistically valid.

The stringing, both vertical (shoulder pressure, bag tension) and horizontal (palming the gun, pressing sideways with the cheek, rough trigger work) are much more likely the shooter than the load. Load issues usually result in well scattered bullets.

 

[BradMacc82]

Looks like you did well to me.

I definitely could've done much worse, that's for sure.

Brad, I would suggest that you look for loads that will provide you consistent velocities. There is a high probability that your rifle will shoot almost every load with a reasonable degree of precision and the variations you see in groups are not statistically valid.

The stringing, both vertical (shoulder pressure, bag tension) and horizontal (palming the gun, pressing sideways with the cheek, rough trigger work) are much more likely the shooter than the load. Load issues usually result in well scattered bullets.

That's my 2 main goals at this moment - getting the ES/SD's down as much as possible, and getting my head straight when I'm on the rifle. Today, the ES was 64, SD was 17, 2828fps avg over 10 rounds.

Today was a perfect example of my head not being 'quite there' - and I hate to sound like I'm making excuses for an off-day, but I am noticing I shoot better at certain ranges due to bench/table height - makes sense, I'm not fighting to keep my NPOA.

Myrtle Grove, the tables leave a LOT to be desired, none of them are the same height, or level for that matter - the wood's warped to hell and back. Today I was just using the bipod, no rear bag. That's what's frustrating for me, I know this rifle will put them down the same hole shot after shot - the bag of meat yanking the trigger isn't doing their part.

 

[BradMacc82]

Thanks Ed, had to read that a few times before everything 'clicked'.

 

[rico903]

The 42.1 - 42.3gr range definitely shows promise, and I can very happily live with the velocity range on them.

I'm only hard on myself because I know the rifle can do better, it's the shooter that holds it back on some days - today was one of those days.

When I have more funds, I'll upgrade some of my equipment so the dragon can be given a proper chasing.

Believe it or not, all my ammo has been loaded on 1 press alone - the Lee Pro1000. Yes, I know it's not really designed to handle anything larger than .223Rem for rifles, but I make do with what I have.

At what distance were you shooting?

 

[BradMacc82]

At what distance were you shooting?

Yesterday was 100 yards.

I'll likely go again today, try from prone and see if my consistency improves some, the benches at that range don't really lend themselves to uber-consistent shooting - for me anyways.

 

[BradMacc82]

Learned (and in some cases, re-learned) a few things yesterday while at the range.

1 - If I'm going to go prone, should probably bring my other bipod with me, because the benchrest model doesn't get the rifle up high enough for me in prone.

2 - I had the Bell & Carlson A5 set-up OK, but I didn't need the cheek-rest as high as it was (think I was putting too much pressure on it with my cheek). I also could've had the butt extended about 3/4" further out, and less cant on the buttpad (I think that accounts for some of my shoulder pressure inconsistency).

3 - Fatigue means I have something set-up wrong.

4 - When you shoot like crap, take a break. Try to break the funk by having a laugh or two.

 

[browning guy]

Brad,

Its a little time off but you are more then welcome to come down with us on the next trip to see Ed shell. We are going down in Sept.

 

[Traveler]

Brad,

Its a little time off but you are more then welcome to come down with us on the next trip to see Ed shell. We are going down in Sept.

Sounds like a pilgrimage to see the shaman. I am sure I would benefit from Ed's experience in reloading.