Taming the .260...

[Afy]

Finally making progress.

Went to the range today.. 3 loads to test
37.5 and 38 grains of N150 over Lapua Scenar 139...
and 38.7 Grains of N150 over a Lapua Scenar 123 (Load is arbitarily derived using Quickload and OBT)

Still shooting off a bipod using my left hand as a rear support. My bench has not arrived yet.

Here are the results...



Pretty furstrating. My 1st group of five with the 123 looked pretty much like the top left group. So for the second group I changed the way I hod the rifle. Instead of crossing my thumb over the stock I aligned it to the axis of the rifle... and voila..



Approximately 0.781 edge to edge

I am pretty happy for now... I do want to try this technique with the 139 loads as well. I suspect I am getting the fliers due to improper technique... or even jerking the trigger.

I did trim all my brass tot he same length, chamfer in and out, clean primer pockets etc...

On another front figured out my puffy primer issue with the 8x60 S as well. The load is indeed too low. Was using Privi brass.. brand new which is much thicker than RWS. And was getting soot to the base of the cartridge...

 

[Guntalk]

Sand Bags!

Without a really, seriously, stable rest, you are NOT testing loads.

Even the legs from denim jeans, cut off and filled with sand, are better than a bipod and using your fist to support the rear.

The rifle must be stable. If is it not, you don't know if the groups represent what the rifle/load can do, or if they just show how well or poorly you can shoot.

 

[Afy]

I know... but I am still awaiting the delivery of my supplies. And I do want to get out shoot... more than loading up a bunch of ammo that has no accuracy potential.

 

[243winxb]

Your rifle is showing great potential. Sand bag, high power scope will help. When your package comes in, you might want to use the bushing die without neck turning and no expander button as a test first. Right now you can measure your loaded case neck diameter and your fired case neck diameter. How much difference between the two is there? If the difference now is more than .008" you might not want to neck turn.

 

[Bullet]

When working for small groups I use this front rest for a H-S precision stock -

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RIBBRICO&item=04-2610&type=store

And a rear rest similar to these -

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RIBBRBRB&type=store


I find that the Short-Range 100/200 Benchrest Targets listed here work real good too, the ones with 6 targets on one page -

http://www.6mmbr.com/targets.html

 

[Afy]

Bullet: This is what I have ordered:
HM Rest

243 will measure and get back.

 

[Bullet]

Looks good, I bet your new rest will help tighten your groups.

 

[Howard Roark]

Looking better Afy.

I tested my .260 this weekend at a 1000 yard match. I shot one match with 142gr. SMK. The next match I shot Berger 140's. The components were the same with only the bullet being different. The Bergers shot almost 2 min higher than the Sierras. The shooters next to me were shooting Palma with 155.5gr. Bergers. The .260 shot inside the .308s for wind by 2 min. They were using up to 4 min of windage adjustment while I never used over 2 min.

There was a pickup that I and the guy to my right shooting a 6.5x284 missed. We both shot a 9 so the .260 wasn't too far behind the big gun. I didn't think to ask him how much windage he had on to begin with.

With the shorter bearing surface of the Bergers I think I can get up to 2 more grains of powder in there before problems. That will really put the Sierras to shame.

 

[Afy]

243WinXB: Measured the neck diameters.
Fired: .295 inch
Resized: .290 inch
Loaded: .291 inch

Dont know if the above is any good for your line of thought.

Howard thanks... I only wish I had more powders and components available and preferably cheaper.

 

[243winxb]

neck measurement

Measured the neck diameters.
Fired: .295 inch
Resized: .290 inch
Loaded: .291 inch

Looks like you will be OK if you want to neck turn. I ask because i wanted to get an idea of what your chambers neck diameter is. With spring back of the brass, i would guess the chamber neck is in the area of .296" to .297" Does anyone know the SAMMI loaded round neck diameter? On line i find 2. .2969" and .2940" What is correct? http://www.6mmbr.com/cartridgediagrams.html#260REM http://www.stevespages.com/page8d.htm

 

[Afy]

Lyman lists it as .2970 as does Quickload