260 AI velocity ?

D

Donws2

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I had a bit of a let down today. Shot a new to me 260 AI. It's a Savage actions with a Pac-Nor 30 inch 3 grove 1 in 8 twist barrel. My load is fire formed R-P brass, 37.0 Varget, WLR primers and lapua 123 Moly Scenars. I had thought that load would get 2750 to 2780 on the conservative side. Looks like the average of 10 shots is at 2725 FPS. Seems a little low for that much Varget. Is it because of the AI chamber or do I have more barrel than I need? Your thoughts? Donald
 
This isn't a chambering I use, but my instincts say 4350 or Reloader 17 is the right power, at least, for velocity. You'll probably have better luck getting information in the F-class forum, or maybe the 1,000 yard forum. Us old-time 1,000 yard shooters consider it a bit small, but there is a new wave of small-case shooters, and some have used it, esp. for 600 yards.
 
Yea I got a little 4350 and 4831 I use for my 22/250 and 6/47Lapua. It's just not enough in house to really work up some test loadings. My undersanding was that Varget would get 123's up there with out breaking anything. It's mostly considered not a good choice for heavier bullets. I'll try on the 1000 yard board as that's what I'm going to use this rifle for mostly anyway. Thanks, guys.
 
I have a 27" 1/8 twist Encore barrel chambered in a 260AI. Here is some of my data.
123 gr Lapua (Danzac coated) Varget 40.5 gr = 2,850
Varget 42.0 gr = 3111
H4350 46.3 = 3070
H4350 47.0 = 3120
R-15 42.2 = 3127

I have data for other bullets if you want it.

Stanley
 
The 123's I got with this set up are moly coated. I'm thinking that may explain some of if not all of the speed I seem to be missing.

Apollo who's brass are you using at 42.0 grains of varget. I'm not to sure that my R-P will hold up to that high of charge. Every thing I'm reading points to the brass being the weakest link in the system. Thanks for the load info. There's little data for the AI availible, most data is for the straight up 260 Rem.

I've got very little 4350 and 4831 on hand. Powder is still a little short here. I do have a hugh supply of RL 17 I've stocked up on for my WSSM's. Anyone running 123's and RL 17. I'm thinking the RL 17 may not improve the 123's that much. Seem's the heavy bullets shine with the RL 17 in most calibre's. Any thoughts? Donald
 
I use Rem brass for that rifle/barrel. I don't have my load data in front of me right now, but do remember that for the 123 Lapua and Sierra it liked 41.5 gr of Varget. I could get the velocity with 42, but not the groups. Go with whatever your barrel likes.

Stanley
 
Thanks Stanley I'm going to run another group of loads tomorrow. My friend is bringing a better cronograph as well. So I should be able to confirm my velocities readings from tuesday. Donald
 
Well tried 4831SC yesterday and the velocity were better but groups opened up to all most twice that as the same components but for the powder. I ran 47.0 grains of 4831 with no over pressure signs but none of the three OAL test groups I ran would hold better than 3/4 MOA at 200. The average was just over a MOA for all three. The slower Varget loads would shoot well under 1/2 MOA at the same distance. My best Varget groups were 1/2 inch and the best load averaged .667 inches for three groups averaged. All test groups were shot at 200 yards. I'm very pleased with the accuracy but would like to get the speed up for 1000 yard competitions. I'll try 4350 next. The shooting condition was perfect yesterday. Overcast skies and no wind at all for two hours. I did find that the 123's like a little jump. 0.005 shot the best groups. 0.010 off and 0.000 were OK and about the same. 0.003 Into the lands and 0.015 were quite horrid compare to the others. My best groups are at 2.293 OAL and that puts me just at .005 off the lands. Anyway more testing to come. Donald
 
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