Originally Posted By Defender3:
I don't know how you Texas and southwest fellas do it - it was 95* with 85% humidity today - it was killing me while I was on the range!  I was continually toweling the sweat off me trying to get the strings fired.  I know, yours is a "dry heat."  

I went to the local 100 yard range and surprise if I wasn't the only one there for the whole 3hrs it took me to fire these tests (I was letting the barrel cool between strings; maybe I should have just fired faster).

Same setup as usual at 100, but they have finished the berm between rifle and pistol.  I was testing some handloads with factory Peterson brass and around the nodes that worked well previously.  I also chrono'd the strings since the Peterson brass tends to run 10-30fps faster than the Lapua.  I'll process the MVs when I can as I got sucked into a Sig P320 raffle and need to get that straight this weekend.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5339-253803.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5340-253804.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5364-253806.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5366-253801.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5344-253805.jpg

TQ taking a break and cooling off a bit.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5365-253807.jpg

Rod Stewart - 1971 - Every Picture Tells a Story.

Here are the first shots of the session.  The top left are clean cold bore and two foulers.  Now, this is where this rifle shooter should be!  I've pretty much determined my hold and grip suck and I'm just throwing shots by affecting/muscling the rifle.  These three were shot with no thumb or grip and basically just pulling the trigger with the rifle shouldered.  Not too bad and with my Mk1 calibrated eyeballs I'm guessing that's sub 0.4MOA.  The top right was a second string with the factory Hornady H130, another group I'll take and probably in the 0.7MOA range.  I decided not to shoot the front bag test and went to suppressed with the comeups for the TQ, but with the old thumb/grip, clearly I'm onto something here.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5376-1-253824.jpg

Next up was testing of some handloads: Peterson virgin brass, F210M, H4350 and H130g ELDM set to 2.775.  The top left @41g shows promise as does 41.8, but 42.2 was right on.  Now, I have NO idea how I pulled the third shot 2MOA right and I SWEAR I did not call it there, but there she landed.  

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5377-1-253826.jpg

Next up were the same loads with the TQ to check MVs and if the TQ liked the load.  Again, the 42.2g shined.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5378-1-253823.jpg

I did shoot some of the factory H130s that I reset to 2.775, but the results were not of note.  Most likely because my 60 year old ass was hot and tired after three hours in this heat.  I need to toughen up a bit...  I'll post MVs as soon as I can process the data.  Next up is to work the 42.2 a bit for COAL, but I'm liking what I see.  I'm off to a b-day party manana, but I'll get to stop by Greentop and Bass Pro in Richmond to see what sort of powder and primers they may have in stock.

Originally Posted By Defender3:


Sticking my nose in - Outdoor Limited is in NC and where I get mine from - $1.14rd right now.  Buds has it for $1.18rd but they have higher shipping costs.

Originally Posted By mettee:


Great update, it seems like you are starting to break through on some super valuable data.

I was going to say, you should pull your thumb from the grip but I didnt want to be telling you what to do

Originally Posted By mettee:
I am hoping it happens, but I got word of a "dog shoot" about two hours from me in cooler weather. Yes, prairie dogs

Hoping I can head down that way tomorrow and break in the 260 with some critter busting.


What do you think the best ammo is to break in on, Prime(probably not), Hornady ELDm, or the Gorilla.

Originally Posted By Defender3:


If you're just breaking it in, the Gorilla will do just fine, but it is a bit more expensive than the H130.  The Prime is just loaded hot and if you use it, keep the rifle on the unsuppressed setting.  

If you're breaking in on the dogs, go with the Hornady.

Originally Posted By mettee:


I was thinking Hornady because its the cheaper of the bunch.

Originally Posted By Ryansf:
So, it took me three nights at work to read through 28 pages of information. This is better info then anything ever put into a military POI for long range that I ever received in 10 years, so thanks for all the hard work time and money invested gentleman. D3 you have put together outstanding data. Pete and the rest of you all that goes for you as well. I just got my TOBR .260 barrel last Sunday so I'm behind the power curve on this. I had one case of prime but after reading the thread in its entirety I just ordered two cases of Hornady 130 ELD-M. I work 7 days a week on nights so hoping to get up early and get the first 100-200 rounds through it with the old leupold 3.5-10 I got years ago for my first 308 bolt gun until I get my Vortex in. Will provide range report at that time. I don't have the radar that D3 has so all of my data will be with a magnetospeed V3. Thanks again for the great posts gentleman

Originally Posted By Ryansf:
They do suck, but I can't complain they compensate us fairly well:-)

I definitely will take it out and enjoy it had the 16.1" 308 out to 900 at CORE shooting 175s so definitely ready to see what the 22" 260 will do. I'll update with photos once I figure out how. Me and technology don't always see eye to eye.

Originally Posted By 500WE:
The "old" Greentop on Rt. 1 was my haunt, back when we lived in Hanover County. Pat and family, good folks to deal with!

Originally Posted By Defender3:

The score from the shopping.  Best part was HH6 had gone ahead to help with the party so I was shopping (and buying) without prying eyes.    Scored some Varget and Reloader 16, as well as the last of the F210Ms, some TMKs and the only box of 140g RDFs.  I know some loads have been posted for the RDFs and R16, so I'll see what I can work up.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/52736/IMG-5446-1--255186.jpg

Originally Posted By dHUTCH:


I've been gathering items together as well. Too bad I can't start reloading until my new home build is done. Crossing my fingers for the end of August.

Made it the range today. Only had time to make it to close one with the 100yd range.

Started off making sure the 7.62 OBR did not suffer accuracy wise after a good cleaning. Not the best but it'll do...
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2854-255638.JPG

I finished off the box of FGMM and started on the .260
First three were all over the place...we'll chalk that up to using the MBT for precision for the first time and the barrel being brad new.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2855-255640.JPG

Next three started showing promise.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2856-255643.JPG

Started make scope adjustments. Shot the three at the bottom first, made an adjustment. Next was the 1st top hit, adjusted down, hit right below the first. Adjusted, then fired three more at the top of the square.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2857-255644.JPG

These Hornady 130gr ELD-M factory loads are pretty noice! I tell you what though, shooting without a suppressor cover, on a hot Texas day, is damn near impossible. I was fighting mirage after 3 shots.

Originally Posted By dHUTCH:


I've been gathering items together as well. Too bad I can't start reloading until my new home build is done. Crossing my fingers for the end of August.

Made it the range today. Only had time to make it to close one with the 100yd range.

Started off making sure the 7.62 OBR did not suffer accuracy wise after a good cleaning. Not the best but it'll do...
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2854-255638.JPG

I finished off the box of FGMM and started on the .260
First three were all over the place...we'll chalk that up to using the MBT for precision for the first time and the barrel being brad new.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2855-255640.JPG

Next three started showing promise.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2856-255643.JPG

Started make scope adjustments. Shot the three at the bottom first, made an adjustment. Next was the 1st top hit, adjusted down, hit right below the first. Adjusted, then fired three more at the top of the square.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119119/IMG-2857-255644.JPG

These Hornady 130gr ELD-M factory loads are pretty noice! I tell you what though, shooting without a suppressor cover, on a hot Texas day, is damn near impossible. I was fighting mirage after 3 shots.

Originally Posted By FRBaseball:
Hit the range this morning after having not pulled any triggers for a few weeks. Wanted to verify some velocity #s and re-zero for the .260 barrel after having shot the .308 barrel a bit over the weekend.

Had to come down .35 mils and left .1 mils. Called it good from there, ready to shoot a small match next weekend!

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7116_zpsrmurrstu.jpg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7117_zpsibyoycph.jpg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/fullsizeoutput_9e0_zpsdj73tu12.jpeg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7127_zpse4n76b0z.jpg

Originally Posted By FRBaseball:
Hit the range this morning after having not pulled any triggers for a few weeks. Wanted to verify some velocity #s and re-zero for the .260 barrel after having shot the .308 barrel a bit over the weekend.

Had to come down .35 mils and left .1 mils. Called it good from there, ready to shoot a small match next weekend!

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7116_zpsrmurrstu.jpg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7117_zpsibyoycph.jpg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/fullsizeoutput_9e0_zpsdj73tu12.jpeg
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo220/A62335/IMG_7127_zpse4n76b0z.jpg

Originally Posted By mettee:
I had some time to start cutting out my case foam on sunday. Working on layout, planning to take advantage of the top layer, and the bottom.

http://i.imgur.com/cIlqth3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eITpP6F.jpg

Originally Posted By mettee:
I had some time to start cutting out my case foam on sunday. Working on layout, planning to take advantage of the top layer, and the bottom.

http://i.imgur.com/cIlqth3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eITpP6F.jpg

Originally Posted By Defender3:


Go be poor somewhere else!

Originally Posted By mettee:


I couldnt fit the bipod in there. I went to look at the smaller fancier Atlas....320 ouch.



I have some more stuff I can throw in there


....and hey we gotta keep this thread on the move right

Originally Posted By Defender3:


Says the man with the $4K S&B.  

Remove the four mags; move the S&B up under the rifle barrel; put the bipod where the S&B was and you may still have room for two mags by the rail.

Originally Posted By mettee:


I did something like that. I removed the two mags between the grip and stock and plan to place it there. I have room on the second layer in a non contact area that they
will fit in. I want to keep as much clearance around the optic and not have the heavy items close enough where they might gain momentum and make contact.

The 18-22" barrels are on the second layer below the gun, as well as  few tools in a small pouch, wrench, long HG, two mags, etc.

In the lid, I want to keep a cleaning rod, bore guide, and another pouch with cleaning stuff.

Originally Posted By Defender3:


RAT stock has a cleaning rod under the but plate; that should save you some room.  

Originally Posted By FRBaseball:
Reloder 16 has been a much better performer for me than 4451. Higher velocities, lower SDs, and a higher velocity ceiling before I hit pressure signs.

I finally picked up another 10lbs of R16 this morning, so I think I am done experimenting with 4451. I found a couple good loads, but velocities are about 50fps slower for similar weight charges compared to R16.

I hate load decelopment, and since this was my first experience with .260rem it took a bit longer than normal. I'm looking forward to batch-loading stacks and stacks of these 130 Bergers w/ R16 and concentrating on just shooting!

@D3, my load measures 2.184 to the ogive.

Originally Posted By mettee:
That is going to be tough to gather that data given his tools he used to measure wont be the same as mine or yours.

Good start point though

Originally Posted By mettee:
Any one want to buy 8 pounds of IMR 4451

Originally Posted By Defender3:


4451 looks tough.  Higher pressures but lower speeds.  40.8g of 4451 with a 130g ELDM is at 58982psi but only 2762fps.

Originally Posted By mettee:


And that is no bueno

Thanks for doing that. So, does that software have all that data in there?

Originally Posted By Defender3:


Good info!

What COAL did you use?

Originally Posted By Defender3:


I'm just setting you up to low ball you on the 8lbs.  

Yup, a shit ton of data.

Originally Posted By FRBaseball:


I don't measure COAL, I find that it isn't a consistent measurement due to small variations in bullet length. I use a Hornady bullet comparator, my load measures 2.184 to the ogive.

To illustrate that point, I pulled 3 rounds at random from a box of ammo I loaded this morning. The COALs for the three were 2.779, 2.785, and 2.787. Those are with Bergers, which are a lot more consistent in length than say a Sierra or Hornady BTHP. I've seen much larger variances with other brands, so measuring to the ogive gives me a much better data point.

Originally Posted By mettee:


Can you use it in the bolt gun?

Originally Posted By Defender3:


No, I'm good, I have like 40lbs of powder now.  

That 4451 just doesn't seem suited for this cartridge and the numbers for a heavier bullet and even scarier.  However, moving to a lighter bullet (123g) gives you 2831fps with 41.4g @58906psi.

Originally Posted By mettee:


I may use it for some varmint loads

Originally Posted By Defender3:


Now that's interesting.  I thought you said before you loaded to 2.184 (O) and I was wondering if that would also produce a consistent COAL.

One last question, do you know if that's touching the lands or has a bit of a jump?  The COAL measurements you listed would be just off the lands in my rifle.