Can anyone help with some 260 Rem Loads. I have a 260 Savage that I'm trying to work up for HP silhouette. I've tried 4831sc and Varget with varied success going from the min to max with each in 0.5 increments. There okay but would like to get more accuracy. Would like recommendations for these powders any any other that people had good luck with.
c/p/t 123gr HPBT Sierra
Rams 140gr HPBT Sierra
Thanks for any info.
ppkny

I have used a load of around 36 grains of Varget with bullets from 100 to 142 grains in several 260 barrels, enough barrels to believe that if that isn’t giving good accuracy? You have a sick rifle or scope.

Expect 2750-2800 FPS with 100-108s and 2650 with 140ish grainers. I would expect at least 5/8 minute accuracy in a solid rifle with that combination, and 3/8 is never a surprise.

Rickf:
I guess I should have been clearer. My current loads are with Varget and 4831sc and they are producing great accuracy, but I'm looking for suggestions to get out to the 500M line better.

ppkny

RickF definitely nailed it! 36 gr. Varget works great with all the bullets in all of the .260 Rem. barrels that I have had also. A Sierra 142 MK will arrive at the 500 m. line with about 50 fps more velocity, and 70 ft. lb. more energy, when loaded to 2500 fps muzzle velocity. That's compared to the 140 gr., while feeling about the same recoil. The 142 MK costs more, but I always thought their performance was worth it.

I am using 4831 in a 142 gr load at 2650 fps. Every ram I have hit has gone down. Up 8 1/2 min from chicken zero for rams and up 29 min at 1,000 from my chicken zero.

If by better you mean faster, in F class competition I have used up to 46 grains of H4831 for 2800 - 2850 ft./s in a 260 with 139/142s. 28 inches of barrel mind you, that is good for 50 feet per second over the typical 26 inch barrels in our silhouette rifles. That has worked extremely well out to 1000 yards.

500 yards or metres however really isn’t very far, I have been happy with 2650 for silhouette. You will also notice the increased recoil by adding the 10 grains of powder over the Varget load.

Here's what I have:
Savage Model 10 purchased in 2012
Predator Hntr Max1 / accu trigger
24" Fluted Barrel

Maybe I'm asking to much for a out of the box gun. Probably no more than 200 rounds put through it so far.
I bought it to use in the 1000yd silhouette at Ridgway. I shot a couple of matches with it using 140gr sierra's at all distances and it wasn't bad.
It doesn't look like I can get to the matches as regularly as I intended to so I decided to use it for my 500 M silhouette heavy gun / with a 30X fixed leupold it weighs in at 9lbs 7 ozs. Currently I'm using a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 for both classes and when you shoot back to back std/htr it's too much for the gun.

I'm going to try some Varget loads as suggested and see what I can do with 107, 123 & 140 Sierra HPBTB. I can take it out to 300M for now but I'll need to wait untill warmer weather to get t the 500 range.
Thanks, PPKNY

I had a Savage in 7mm08 that was a tack driver. How far off the lands are you with the bullet?

Dang9,
I haven't got a real precision method of measuring how far off the lands I am . I am but using a empty case and pre-seating the bullet long and letting the bolt closure determine the lands. Than I pick it up with my seating die and back off about .020
There's still a good .250 in the casing even with the longest bullet (107) seated at 2.890 OAL. Factory OAL in 2.800. I don't mind the OHL on the length because I'm single loading with no crimp.
The 140's are at 2.800 OAL due to their shape touching the lands sooner.
I got some loaded with Varget but can't get to the range until mid week.
PPKNY

Pete when you close the bolt does the bullet hit the lands? If they do you may want to screw your seater down so that the bullet has a very small jump to the lands. Some guns will like about a .015 jump to the lands. Some like more some like less. But I have found .015 to be my go to amount.
I have used a stoney point OAL checker for many years now and couldn't imagine working up a load without one now. It measures the bullet right at the ojive not the tip of the bullet as most bullets have different amounts of material right at the tip. There are three parts to the system that they sell separately. The case holder. The modified case. And the length checker that attaches to your dial caliper. Buy once cry once. But worth the money.

Pete I just did a quick check and it looks like Hornady bought the SP name. There are a few You Tube videos that show you how its used too. The case holder that is curved will NOT work on a 30/30 so don't waste the money. It will only fit an M1 Garand or M1A.

Pete Hows the load working out?

I have a whole array of empirical data on the 260. Contact me offline

Dang9 and everyone else:
Thanks for the help and suggestions. I finally got a chance to get back up to the range yesterday and have settled in on using Varget. I have had good results with loading 37.5 gr for my 123gr HPBT and 37.0 for my 140 gr HBPT. Got a match coming up next weekend and will try them out.
Also, I'm going to offline 'shootmore' and see what he suggest. Always looking at all options.
Thanks, PPKNY