[eroyd]

Could someone please suggest some 260 remington loads using 139 Lapua Scenars. The powder I have on hand is Varget. So far 37.0 grains gets me 2670 fps out of my 26" barreled rem 700. There is a slight hint of a pucker around the firing pin hit but otherwise no other indications of excess pressure. I've been told these bullet are best @ 2750-2800fps. Brass is sized down 308 win Norma brass. Fed. primers. 2.800 OAL.

The new 100gr 260 scenars seem to fly real nice with 36.0 grains. at about 2700 fps. Hopefully they'll do the job on CPT's.

 

[Troy G]

I know I may take flack for this but I think Varget is too fast for a .260 and a 140gr bullet, I would try a powder speed like H-4350.

I have been using 42gr of IMR-4831 which gives me a managable 2750fps out of a 26" barrel. This is also bordering on a slightly compressed load when bullets are seated to feed from the magazine. Only reason I am using IMR-4831: I started with 20lbs of it and need to get rid of it somehow.

 

[40inarow]

I had the same experience with my 260s. I used Varget first, then switched to H4350. Both guns shot well with either a near max load or a very mild load, so I shoot the mild load which is 41.7 gr of H4350. It's a sweet shooting load and it slams the rams.

 

[Arizona Jake]

My standard rifle in .260 Rem. has a tight chamber and peak pressure is reached with loads approximately 2 grains lower than those published in reloading manuals.

I started with IMR4350 for 140 grain bullets because that is what I had at hand at the time and 39.3 grains produces the best combination of precision and knockdown in my rifle before signs of high pressure start showing. I am in the process of developing a load using H4350, since I also have some of the stuff on hand and, unlike the IMR version, it is very insensitive to our summer heat. We shoot matches while the temperature ranges from 95 to 110+ degrees F.

36.0 grains of Varget also produces the same results with 140 grain bullets and is insensitive to temperature variation. This load also works extremely well with 107 and 120 grain bullets.

My Sako AII standard rifle in .260 Rem. also likes 36.0 grains of varget with all bullet weights and likes 40.4 grains of H4350 with the 140s. If I had to stay with one powder, I would stick with Varget.

Best of luck,

 

[eroyd]

Thanks for the info so far. I'm a little surprised that the 260 uses some fairly slow powders. RL19 is listed in one manual and Hodgen even lists a load using H1000.

I'll try some bulk powder I have a large quantity of (47N). It has a burn rate slightly faster than H4350 so it may be ideal and it has been extremely accurate in other cartridges. My only concern is it's tolerance to temp. I live on the BC Coast and work up my loads at mild coastal temps, however HP matches are usually in the interior where temps can go 100F.

 

[shootingpaul]

I use rel 19 with a great success! 43 gr of Rel 19 should give you about 2700 - 2750 fps, no pressure, great accuracy, it is worth to try - and by the way I am shooting molly - only

 

[eroyd]

Funny you should mention that Paul. Through this past weekend's experiments I have concluded that RL19 is the superior powder for my rifle. I get better velocity and accuracy with it in my rifle with the 139's. With 43.5 grs. my chrony gives me 5 shots all within 6 fps of 2700fps and .5 moa accuracy. I may bump it up another 1/2 gr. No Moly.

Varget, H & IMR4350 seem to be good for the lighter bullets but I am getting pressure signs at -2700 with the heavier bullets and .8" groups at 100.

 

[shootingpaul]

glad that you found the match!

 

[DanDeMan]

Gents,

After much load testing over the past 8 years or so with 6.5-08's or 260 Remingtons I can say that VarGet is too slow for the light bullets and too fast for the heavy bullets (ram). If one is to use the VVO N100 Series powders I'd strongly recommend either N133 or N135 for the light bullets and either N150 or N160 for the heavy bullets.

That being said, I have recently aquired 24 lbs of the Hodgdon's Extreme powder in 8 lb kegs of H4198, VarGet and H4350. Those Aussies sure make some great powder. A tip of the hat to our "Down Under" brothers. For the light bullets I'd go with between 30 and 33 grains of H4198. For the 140-grain VLD's I'd go with between 38 and 42 grains of H4350. Of course use you head and work up the loads properly while being ever mindful of pressure signs.