Load Data for .260 Rem

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  • Lex Armarum

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 19, 2009
    3,450
    I am looking for load data for the .260 Rem using the following components:

    140 gr. Hornady SST
    Rem Brass
    IMR 4350

    I did a search on Hogdon's website and found maximum load data but the website did not give minimum load data. Max load according to the website is 43 gr. of 4350 pushing a 140 Nosler Partition at ~2700FPS.

    I'm interested in hearing recipes that work for the above mix as well as accuracy results. If you've used a different powder/components and have had good results with a particular load, I'm interested in hearing about it. The load will primarily be used for hunting at ranges from <100 yds to ~500 yds.

    Any and all help is appreciated.
     

    BradMacc82

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    Aug 17, 2011
    26,177
    Lyman's 49th Edition is showing this for .260 Rem in your specifications -

    IMR-4350, 140gr - Start, 37.5gr (2298fps), Max, 41.5+ (2557fps) - COL, 2.785

    *+ Indicates a compressed load.

    browning guy may be able to help you out here, I know he's got a .260 Rem AR, I don't have a .260, so that's all I can offer up.
     

    browning guy

    SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
    Dec 10, 2009
    8,525
    Essex
    Rusty,

    how did you parnets make out in the storm?

    I shot several .260's

    for my ar I use 40 grs of imr4350 pushing a ppu 139 gr fmj
    out of the same platform I use 40.8 of 4350 for a hornady 140gr amax

    When I get home from work I can give you a few more.

    I also really like using h414 its a clean and easy to work with powder.
     

    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,244
    Mid-Merlind
    Avoid IMR4350 (look how severely low the velocities are) and use H4350 for MUCH better results. Using H4350, I get 2,820 with a 140/142 and 2,950 with a 130. RE-17 is another good choice.
     

    browning guy

    SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
    Dec 10, 2009
    8,525
    Essex
    Avoid IMR4350 (look how severely low the velocities are) and use H4350 for MUCH better results. Using H4350, I get 2,820 with a 140/142 and 2,950 with a 130. RE-17 is another good choice.

    Ed,

    I use h4350 on some of my hotter loads.

    I am getting around 2590-2610 ( i think again I am at work and don't have my notebook handie) with imr4350 I have been loading this for a year or so and have had no problems.

    I also use some varget and h414 for 260 critter loads 95 and 100 gr loads.

    I have tried imr 4064 and imr4320 but just did not like working with these combo's much.

    have you work with any vita v. loads? The few times I have used it it was a very clean powder and would like to play around with it for a 260 load.
     

    browning guy

    SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
    Dec 10, 2009
    8,525
    Essex
    :lol2:Oh !!

    Also when reloading barnses 120 grs I do use rl-15 and rl-19 have played with h380
    but never finished up the date on that powder.

    Dam now I want leave work to head to the bench in the basement.:lol2:
     

    km04

    Get crackin you muggs!!!!
    Jul 12, 2010
    3,740
    Harford Co.
    :lol2:Oh !!

    Also when reloading barnses 120 grs I do use rl-15 and rl-19 have played with h380
    but never finished up the date on that powder.

    Dam now I want leave work to head to the bench in the basement.:lol2:

    Gimme a call when you get there!!!! You know what your reloading room does to me....:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
     

    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,244
    Mid-Merlind
    Ed,

    I use h4350 on some of my hotter loads.

    I am getting around 2590-2610 ( i think again I am at work and don't have my notebook handie) with imr4350 I have been loading this for a year or so and have had no problems.
    By all means, please double check your data when you get home. but if you got 2,600+/- velocities with 140s and it was hotter loads, it almost HAD to be IMR 4350. Even without what I would call "hotter loads", I routinely get over 200 fps more with H4350 in a 26" barrel.

    I would personally not settle for 2,600 fps in a .260. If you're only getting .308-class velocities with your .260, the only advantage you're enjoying over the .308 is the BC. RE-17 is said to boost .260 velocities even more, with 2,900 possible. I have not had the opportunity to try RE-17, but when my last 10# of H4350 is gone, I may.
    I also use some varget and h414 for 260 critter loads 95 and 100 gr loads.
    Never used H414 in anything except a .22-250, but Varget is nearly ideal for .308 loads with heavier bullets, so it might be good for lighter .260 bullets.
    I have tried imr 4064 and imr4320 but just did not like working with these combo's much.
    These powders are too fast, IMO, for heavier bullets in the .243 and I've never bothered with them either.
    have you work with any vita v. loads? The few times I have used it it was a very clean powder and would like to play around with it for a 260 load.
    No, never used VV powders at all.

    In the .260, I initially bought a can of IMR4350 and worked up a load. Accuracy was superb, drop was surprisingly large, and almost identical to the .308/155 Scenar load I was using. When I chronographed it, I was amazed at how slow it was, even at near maximum pressures. I went to H4350 and it is so nearly ideal, I have never looked back. I get 2,820 with Lapua 139s and 2,950 with Norma 130s, with no excessive pressures and excellent accuracy.

    I've posted this picture here before, but here is the OCW test series for my then-new GAP .260, using H4350 and Norma 130 grain 'Golden Target' bullets. Hard to read my small handwriting on some monitors, but the four consecutive groups run .337" (jerked one), .285", .191" and .219":

    IMG00040sc.jpg
     

    browning guy

    SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
    Dec 10, 2009
    8,525
    Essex
    Ed, You sir are a wealth of knowlage! I would love one day for you to teach me how to shoot 1000 yards!!

    Ok I am looking at my notes now out of my dpms in 260 with a 20" tube I am getting on average 2580 to 2600 with the imr and the ppu 139 fmj's

    Now I will admit this is my "cheep" range load the 139 ppu bullets are the cheepest .264 fmj's I can find and I have so much imr powder, well lets say I have several years worth:innocent0

    hunting loads

    barnes 120 tsx bt 45 gr rl-19 i am getting 2900fps all day long with great accurate
    results out to 500 yards. ( 500 yards is the max range I have to shoot)
    using fed prem. brass and cci primers this is my go to antalope load.

    hornady 129 gr sst, 45.6 gr rl-19, fed brass, cci primer just at 2800 fps out of my browning 1885 more accurate then I can shoot!

    140 grain sp bt, 40.5 gr h414, fed brass cci primer, 2600 fps pretty constant and even preformer. my abolt likes this load.

    160gr rn sp, h4350 43 gr, fed case, cci primer, 2480-2500 fps. still playing with this may try h1000 have read good things about this for 160 gr bullet.

    95 gr fox buster, 41.7 grs varget , fed case, cci primer 3150 fps average. could push a little more but found this to be very!! accurate. at 43 gr of powder I started getting some opening up of the group so backed down for best result.


    Ed,

    have you ever messed with a subsonic load for shooting out of a supressed 260? I am thinking maybe using 160 gr bullets to start??????
     
    Last edited:

    Lex Armarum

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 19, 2009
    3,450
    Thanks everyone for your input. A special thanks to Browning Guy and E.Shell for the information. It's exactly what I needed. I'm going to work up some loads over the winter and see how they turn out. I will Ed's advice and use H4350 in lieu of IMR4350. If anyone else has anything to add, please do so.
     

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