.260 Remington Load For Ruger Compact

[Crowman]

I have a Ruger Model 77 Compact rifle chambered in .260 Remington. Also, I do not have a chronograph. The load data in the various guides that I have use long test barrels and this rifle has a 16 inch barrel. Also, it is very light at around five pounds. It has a Burris 4x Mini Mag scope which does not add much weight.

I am interested in load data that produces 1) low recoil from the light rifle and 2) optimal ballistics out of the short 16 inch barrel. The application is hunting whitetails in very dense cover/heavy brush (North Georgia Mountains) where the ranges will be from about 25 yards to 150 yards. I have a different rifle for longer ranges.

I have on hand .260 Rem R-P brass, Winchester Large Rifle primers and want to use 6.5 mm Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tip bullets.

I also have IMR 4831, IMR 3031, H322, Alliant RL-15, Alliant RL-19, IMR 4895 and Varget powders on hand as well.

Does someone have any recommended load data for powders and charge weights for use with these components? Any other powders/charges?

 

[NCsmitty]

If you have some reloading knowledge, you probably know that the faster burning powders will generally work best in your short barrel. I believe that Varget and Rel-15 will probably be your best bet for "optimal ballistics" for that gun. It's of course difficult to say for sure. IMR3031 has potential too as does IMR4895.
Perhaps a zero at 100yds, with a drop test at 200 yds will give you some insight as to what is an optimal ballistic load without a chronograph. Regardless, the muzzle blast will get your attention.
Concentrate more on accuracy than velocity at the ranges that you mentioned, IMO.

Are you aware of www.hodgdon.com for load data?

NCsmitty

 

[Afy]

36.7-38.9 gr of of 4895 puts you in the region of OBT Node 7 with 99+% of the powder burnt and a velocity in the high 2600's according to QL.
Or 43-45 gr of IMR 4831 will give you simillar returns.

I am seeing excellent results with 41.7 gr of VVN550 and 139 gr Scenars, but my barrell is 11 inches longer.

According to QL I would start off at around 36gr with your powders... and work up. Not seeing too much difference in predicted velocities with them.

Sorry cant help more.

 

[Crowman]

Thanks Guys,

I Am trying Varget next. My Remington M700 LSS Mountain Rifle .260 load is 43 gr IMR 4831 under a Nosler 140 grain Partitian and it groups sub minute of angle. For the Ruger, I want to get an accurate load with the 120 gr Ballastic Tip for deer along with lower recoil due to the light weight of the rifle. I wished the little compact had iron sights for the dense brush that I hunt in.

I have been to Hodgdon's web site and I have their catalog. Also have Barnes, Nosler, Speer, Sierra, Hornady, Lee, Hodgdons, Alliant, and Lyman reloading manuals. Most load data is based on 24 inch or more test barrels and the Ruger has such a real short little bugger. I need to get a chronograph, I guess. Not so much for top speed but rather to measure consistant velocities. Haven't played the red-line game in over twenty years...got older and smarter.

How is the Chrony Beta Master?

 

[Ol` Joe]

The powder that gives the best velocity in a long barrel will give the best velocity in your short one. if you question this check on rifle data in the manuals for long barrel pistols.
I`ve both a 24" and 22" barreled 260 Rem and the 22" gives the same or slighty higher velocity then the long.
I would look at R19 or H4350 with the 120 gr bullet. Those two seem to work best in my rifles.
H4831 or R22 with the 140 gr do well too.