I could just be overthinking the issue.  Could have been any number of issues, including the ammo. I took it out at 600 today with no issues and it was spot on.

Today was a very nice day, sunny with temps in the 70's and a 5mph wind. I had signed up to be an RSO at Quantico Range 4. We shoot 100/300/600 course of fire on Saturdays, but we were concerned we could be bounced from the range by noon due to a lack of traffic on the other ranges. I didn't even put out targets since I thought it would be a busy day helping the shooters, but it got better when we reached 600, and with four RSOs, I took some time to break out the LT260 and bust some steel and clays.

We began to switch out when we hit the 600 yard line. I thought we were going to be preempted at noon so I broke out the 260 and shot some clays off the berms. Once we got the word we could stay on the range until 1600, I decide to put out the steel and shoot at 600 to true velocities. It was a pretty calm wind day, with the wind coming from behind, so hitting the steel was as simple as pulling the trigger. I didn't miss any shots at 600, even using both the Hornady 130s and the left over stash of Gorilla 130 Bergers I had, every shot was on, albeit I did need to do a hold or make a slight correction. I got bored so I started shooting clays off the berm, again, no issues at 635 yards (distance to the berm).

The LT260 continues to get noticed on the line and today was no different; I invited several people over to put some rounds downrange and each was impressed with the "softness" of the 260 and that they were right on target killing the steel at 600 with a gasser.

I'm back at Quantico tomorrow pulling RSO for the 800 and 1,000 yard lines. I'll bring my stuff for 1,000 and see if I can do some long-range. The weather is supposed to be the same, so it will be welcome since we just survived 97 degrees with 90% humidity last week.

I didn't bother to take any pictures of the steel, everyone was hitting it! Here are some pics from today:

The LT260 on the Quantico Range 4 600 yard line. This was at position 2 where I was shooting clays off the berm at 635 yards:







Once we had confirmation we'd be at the range longer, we called a break and I was able to set steel at position 20. While people were resetting, I decided to go Air Force and introduced a little shade to the equation.    I'll be doing the same tomorrow at 1,000.

Looks like a good time!

Quick update on my blown primer issue with the Prime 130s. I field stripped the BCG this afternoon, and found several pieces of primer inside, along with a severely bent firing pin retaining pin.

I've experienced hot ammo before, blown a fair number of primers due to my own ambition during my reloading adventures. But I have never seen a bent firing pin/damaged firing pin retaining pin.

Just my $.02, but I'd stay far far away from Prime.

I should have known better, I've seen swings of over 100FPS in my 6.5cm bolt guns from different lots of Prime, which is why I stopped using that ammo.

Got my barrel from Larue yesterday, and my buddy did as well.  We both got just one box of ammo (website says 2), and he got a brake attached to his, but mine came without.  What have others gotten in terms of ammo and brakes?

ETA:  he didn't order a brake.

I would expect exactly what the listing says,sounds like they owe you some ammo,and your buddy scored a brake for the cost of his second box. My guess. It is just a screw up in the shipping dept.

Pete

I hear ya, but that's not what I'm asking.  I'm wanting to see if others happened to get brakes, too.  It's funny, because I actually ordered a brake, and they told me they were back ordered....probably because they're throwing them in gratis for people who didn't order them..ha!

It was back to Quantico Range 4 today for 800 and 1,000. I was again serving as an RSO so it was a 0600 depart in order to arrive at range control to sign for the range, get the range flags, kit and radios. Open Gate 7 at 0700 and let the shooters in to place targets and steel: targets on 1 – 14 and steel on 25 to 50.  We check the range for clearance and cleanliness, put up the flags, close the road gates and put up more flags, then check the pits and line to see the shooters followed instructions. We close the pits at 0730 and head to the 800 yard line for a safety brief, sign everyone in, setup the line and call the range hot for a first shot at 0800, and keep the range open until last shot at about 1500. Back to the pits to cleanup, lower the flags, open the gates, call in the final range report, submit the DODICs for the calibers shot and rounds expended, turn in the kit, flags and radios, then one last trip to the line to ensure it was policed and clean. Finish up about 1530 or so then head on home, with the AC on full while hydrating!

We fire at 800 yards until people indicate they’re on target while helping those who seem to be struggling. We spend about an hour and a half at 800 with one target check, then call the range cold, check targets and move back to 1,000.  Along the way, additional shooters will arrive (late) and wait while the line continues. We sign them in, brief them on range procedures and give them a safety brief. Then they set up and wait for the line to go cold so they can go to the pits and set targets.  Same happens when we go to 1,000, there are always more people who show up to shoot. Some are disappointed because they didn’t check the calendar and thought we’d go back to 100 so they could sight, some are there to sight at 1,000 (yes, first sighting at 1,000!) and some are just there to shoot at 1,000.  We meet them all with a smile and a handshake and help them the best we can. Walk the line from one end to the next, and then back; rinse and repeat 200+ times. Call in range status to Range Control every 30 minutes and to the OOD every hour. Coordinate with Range 3 for cold times so we can go to the pits and check targets without people shooting at us.  Monitor the wildlife as well as aircraft flyovers incase we have a low level incursion requiring we call a cease fire.  Continually monitor the line, even when called cold as someone always thinks it a good idea to fuck with their weapon while people are downrange, “but it’s unloaded” seems to be the popular excuse. I let the crotchety retired Army Colonel handle those folks as he seems to enjoy jumping 10-8 into their shit.

We helped a guy with a 300WM who was sighting at 1,000.  What the heck, if he wants to spend $3 a shot walking in rounds, who are we to discourage him. One of the other RSOs broke out his 60x Vortex spotter and had him on target within a box of ammo. Another crew was having consistent problems with a 338 rig that was a cobble together with a succession of low grade parts; turned out their scope and mount were having issues that we could not resolve on the line. Another guy was having issues at range with his DOPE so we LabRadar’d his rounds to find his barrel (not his load) had slowed by over 100fps, time for a good cleaning or maybe a new tube. Another crew had beautiful rifles (Defiant actions, Bartlein barrels, ACX chassis, US Optics) they had just picked up and sighted the day before at 600 (on another range) but one was inconsistent at 1,000.  Went through the whole checklist, did you check mount and ring torque, barrel/bolt cleaned from prior shooting, chassis torqued, same ammo, DOPE check, etc. All yes, but wondering zero, maybe an optic issue? Or maybe a shooter issue? Don’t know, they were late arrivals and we ran out of time. Had to call cold range twice for grazing deer, they’re fat and happy on Quantico as it’s like a petting zoo for them, all food and no threats. All-in-all it was a good day, albeit a long one and a bit taxing when you’re older and working day 2 in 80 degree heat.

Okay, the MOST IMPORTANT is the Hat Check. We had four LaRue Tactical hats on the line today, two green, one tan with black lettering and one tan with light lettering. By far, LaRue was the best represented hat. There was one other manufacturer, one Midway hat, one NRA hat and a succession of singles representing everything from a national park to a woman who had a no shit, Cock Hat. Anyways, I grilled the LaRue hat holders to find two had LaRue rifles with them, one had LaRue mounts and the last wished he had as he was dealing with the mount, ring and optic issue.  The find of the day was a ton a Lapua brass someone had left on the range earlier, but it was 308 and sure looks like small primer brass. Anyways, I picked it and gave it to a guy at the club that looked like he was going to kiss me for the freebies.

Shooting while pulling RSO is tricky, you have to call in a swap out of RSOs, shoot and then call in another swap out. We try and do it quickly so you never get to shoot a ton of rounds. I shot the LT260 with TQ at 1,000 using the DOPE from yesterday’s 600 yard range day and then adjusted a bit due to conditions. It was right on after that and I was killing the steel (15 of 20 hits with the five misses going high) so I moved to the 4” clays. I did alright taking 10 shots and killing 4 clays; again, not a bad day at 1,000! I later switched to the M5 and used last year’s DOPE; it was a bit off for today’s conditions, but a quick 1/2MOA drop and ¼ left and I was on. Same rinse and repeat as with the LT260. I used H130s and this time they were very consistent with Standard Deviations about 3fps.

I also invited some folks to shoot the LT260. Always the same, they love the fit, function and quality, like the Vortex glass and are amazed that a gasser can be so accurate. It’s especially nice when they can get more hits with the LT than with their rig! Side note from yesterday: I was having a discussion with a guy shooting a modified SCAR. He was telling me all about gas guns and how they can only shoot 1.5MOA. I listened carefully and told him my LaRue is a 1/2 MOA gasser, then I proceeded to show him by shooting a round into steel at 600, while it was still swinging, I pumped in 4 more rounds and told him I thought my DOPE was good. He was like  .  I was being a dick, but I thought it was a strategic dick.  He was back again today and a bit calmer, but I didn't let him shoot the LT260, maybe next time I'll expose him to the goodness.

Some pictures from the day. Hummmm, what is this on the line? It's a 16" tOBR in 7.62 from one of the LaRue hat clan.



He had one of these inexpensive digicams and a phone adapter that allowed him to zoom in on the target line, It was actually a pretty good picture!  I didn't put out the LR2 as I was shooting steel and not too trusting of the people around me not to shoot the system, so it stayed cased.



Putting rounds out at 800.



The look from 800.



The line.



The line cold.



The club's LabRadar gets a lot of use.



Neatest gadget of the day, a homemade wind meter.



My AF setup.









And the temp for today.



That's all folks!

^^^

Rear bag questionable ...



.

So I've been told...but I thought the Triad was legal...

There's no distance limit for shooting the 1 MOA, but the size of the rear bag is written on all the obelisks.



.

Sounds like an awesome, and cool, day at the range!

Had just a few minutes spare time to shoot the new McCourt/LaRue 260 ammo.  The group I shot doesn’t look all that impressive until you factor out the user error.  First two shots were rushed as I felt crunched for time, but when I settled down and concentrated I put the next four in a pretty small space just above the bullseye.  I want to spend some more time with it, but knowing what I know now, this stuff looks like the real deal for my 18” rifle.

Thanks for the report and nice shooting!  FWIW - that vertical string could be breathing.

You guys are slipping, not one person mentioned the dunkin donuts!

I had a chance to get back to the 100 yard range today. I had submitted some groups for the MOA Challenge on a lark, but they were shot down for not being on one piece of paper and using a rear bag that was too large. I clarified the rules as decided to re-shoot the challenge today, not like I have anything better to do.  

It was a great day, starting out at about 74 degrees, 60% humidity, sunny and no wind. I drove out to the IWLA range, which is conveniently about 7 miles from the estate. I was there early to try and get some strings in before it got hotter. I was fortunate enough to be the lone guy on the line, but who would think otherwise on a Tuesday?  Standard setup with my target board at 100 yards and using the LaRue Tactical PredatOBR in .260 Remington and the Hornady 130gr ELD-Ms. I took my time firing the groups first confirming zero and then shooting each string with 5-10 minutes between to let the barrel cool since I was using the TQ.

Some pictures from today's range day. The range board, I took the standard LaRue Target "jpg" and cropped one target down to the small square, and then added it to the main jpg to create a 5 position target. I measured the lines to ensure it was still a 1/2" grid and then printed and few copies on card stock.



Just about to walk the board down to the 100 yard line.



Setup at 100:



A view back to the firing line:



The rifle setup using an AI rear bag and one on the side to support my elbow since I shoot off the edge of the mat.



First shots to confirm zero, guess who didn't dial in for the suppressor???? Looks good, just need to dial up.



Here are the five strings:



A close up:



OnTarget shows I did okay, clearly I pulled a couple shots and must have had some breathing on one group.



I videoed the adventures, just in case.   Here's one:

Nice shooting. Looks like you’ve got the program set for meters. What does it say group size is when you change it to 100 yards?

Ha, let's see what happens, I'll run it again.

Okay, I ran it at yards - it opens the groups up a bit.

Now it's 0.664, 0.477, 0.923, 0.539 and 0.538 = 3.141/5 = 0.6282MOA.

Still solid.

That’s nothing to sneeze at. The MOA game is one of my favorites when I have enough time at the range. Really can tell you a lot about your rifle, loads, and fundamentals.

It takes quite a bit to produce a set that’s under 0.75 for me, even with a dialed rifle and hand loads. If I had a dollar for every string that four shots touching followed by that one that got away

The one that got away, isn't that so true!

I took my time shooting the strings and tried to stay focused on the fundamentals. Surprisingly, I found the AI bag to be better than the Triad. I was always fidgeting with the Triad and it didn't fit well in my shoulder, the AI is an easier fit. I also came of the rifle if it didn't feel right, that helped but I still pulled some shots.

I'm almost out of the factory Hornady so I'm going to have to take some time to load some rounds to get my ammo stock back up.

Wait for it . . . .

We're saving our energy to notice the important stuff.

Nice Shooting. . . . a couple of questions - what trigger are you using, and what is this MOA challenge?  (I'm not new to shooting, but I'm new to to .260 and new to this thread!).

Thanks!

It's a trigger tech AR adjustable.

MOA Challenge

Many thanks.

Nice shooting D3!

I will be back to the 260 this winter/fall

Nice shooting - I will need some work to get to that level.

What powder/primer are you using for reloading?

Thanks, That TQ really tightens the groups!

I have all kinds of powder, but I think I'll try the H4350 with the 130gr ELD-Ms.

Too hot?

Yeah that and also no time.

Try unemployment, that really opens up your days.  

I spent some time today at Quantico Range 1 shooting with the Marines. The Quantico Shooting Club hosts a combined shoot every other Friday where the club supplies RSOs so the Marines can shoot unhindered. They provide the targets and we "buy" them for a nominal fee that's donated to the Marine Ball fund so junior enlisted can attend for free.

Range 1 is right next to the Weapons Battalion Precision Weapons Section. They have a nice building:



Range 1 has 50 positions that go to 362 yards to the furthest berm:



The line filled up fast after I took this picture. Marines arrived in mass and by the Noon hot time, there were 30+ positions filled. What was very refreshing was to see the officer and SNCO leadership also represented with a Lt Col, 2 Capts, Sgt Majors, etc.



I brought the LT260 with the intent of letting as many people shoot it as possible.  Lots of positive comments on the 260/TQ setup and I had everyone shooting it down to the Navy Corpsman (E2) whom I don't think fired a rifle outside of boot. I'm now seriously low on ammo!





There was a wide range of rifles and pistols on the line and we all had a great time.

How many firings do you guys have on your Hornady brass?  I just prepped 50 twice fired pieces and about 10 of them had absolutely useless primer pockets.  I'm debating just throwing away the entire 50 just to be safe.

Wow,  you should be getting 5 reloads. How hot are you loading?

These were those varget/120BT loads I posted a while back.  The hottest single charge was 39.5 at 2896 but that was only two cases.  I went with 39.0 gr as a plinking load.  Chrono'd at about 2850 with no pressure signs.

Edit:  I'm using a lyman primer pocket cleaner, maybe its too big and stretching it out?

I just tossed about 500 pieces of 3x fired Hornady. Most of it was too loose to load again and I didn’t want to screw with sorting it.

Most of it had been run on the hotter side. Berger 130 at almost 2900. I bet I could have extended my brass life with a more conservative load, but nah, run it fast. Brass is cheap.

I’ve got 500 pieces of virgin Hornady and 500 pieces of virgin Alpha that I’ll play around with next. Also have some Norma brass to go along with the brass from the McCourt ammo once I shoot it.

Did you order some of that McCourt in 260?

Not by itself, but I ordered three barrels, so I'll have six boxes to play around with.

You're the Man!  I was thinking about ordering to get the ammo, but it's just not a good time right now.  I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

Did you buy the LRP or SRP Alpha?  Do you think it would make a difference at the speeds you're playing with?  Ideally I'd love to clone your load of RL16/Bergers you posted a while back.

LRP. It probably would make a difference, but I already reached out to LaRue regarding trying to get one of their bolts with the smaller diameter firing pin, that was a big negative. So, I'm stuck with large firing pin and large primers.

And no, not interested in trying anyone else's bolt.

Heading out to Quantico for a 1,000 yard day, no LT260 though, just doing RSO stuff and getting some velocities for the bolt gun. Also going to try and solve the taking photos thing once and for all.  I'll report late in the day, carry on!

I hate looking stupid but what's new...are there different larue bolts/firing pins?  I went back to page 47 and a bunch of people we're buying the srp brass..?

Not sure what the other guys are doing. Might have swapped bolts to run the SRP. I haven’t done that, so I’m sticking with LRP.

hm ok thanks, will wait to see what they say.

Edit:  I found it, the 65 UU kits shipped with the small firing pin, page 51 (I cant figure out how to post links to exact posts..weird), mettee's post.

I’ll go look at my 6.5 uu bolt,was this always or just something switching during production?

Long day at Quantico today, thankfully it was hot, but overcast so it wasn't brutal. I needed to chrono some rounds again as last week I used the Labradar to help s a guy and forgot to reset the grain weight so the velocities are off a bit.  I re-shot some strings with the FGMM and Hornady using the 260 bolt gun to get the velocities I needed. I think I'm back to being ammo poor, so I need to get some reloading done.

The 2014 Tacoma passed a milestone today:



The line today:



One of two 50 cals on the line today:



My setup for today:



Trying to get the hang of pictures through an optic:



Steel on 30 looks small at distance:



Steel took a beating:



Oh, oh, did someone on the line really do this?  



I was trying to catch the trace but it was harder as the day went on.  Here's one from the guy shooting next to me at target 29. You'll see it crossing targets 27 & 28 at about 10-11 o'clock at about 8 seconds in.

Your Taco is starting to develop into an adult
Looks like a fun day, certainly better than mine.
Congrats on the scope photo's.

Very nice - what stock is that?

Ha, I guess that makes the Taco a teenager right now.

I still haven't gotten any scope photos, the little gadget I bought works on my spotting scope, but not for the Vortex, I think I need one with a little larger attachment ring.  The stock also seems to get in the way as the mount is so low. I'll figure it out and get some shots.

It's a J Allen JAE-700 stock. I wanted a stock that was more traditional and I found this on the EE for a good price. My barreled stock fit right in and it's been all good since then. I've never shot a skeleton stock so I really haven't been able to compare the two styles.

I have one of these on the way.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NGT893Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDMfasr-qug

It should fit the Vortex and is meant to be used on a rifle scope with some recoil.