.260 rem 160 gr

[Wachsmann]

I think it was the improved version on the 260 because we were talking also about the shoulder angle and he was telling me how little the brass grows. So I'm pretty sure it was the improved version but either way the book I've been reading about Elk hunting of the past seem that a lot of people used to use a lot less power to kill elk than what we use today and alot of the reading is all about shot placement. The most favored gun back then was a 250-3000 savage round. If I remember correctly the grain weight of bullets were something around 110 range. Shot placement was key with bullets of this size making it all the way through the elk at 300 yards according to the reading in this book. Most of the area that the book is taking place at is in Gradiner Mt. This is also when people only wanted to shoot cows and bulls were passed up. These were the days of necessity hunting.

 

[codyadams]

I wouldn't hesitate at all to use a 140 out of a .260 on elk. One of the most popular elk cartridges around my part of Wyoming is a .270, shooting a factory loaded 130@ 3,000-3,100 or so. I have killed quite a few elk, 3 of which were with a .308 168 grain A-MAX going 2670 fps, and all 3 were DRT. No tracking. And now I'm using a .260 AI with 140 VLD hunting bullets. This will be my first year hunting with this cartridge, but I'm not nervous at all. Pick a good 140 and kill an elk with it.

 

[86alaskan]

I load the 143 eld-x in my 22" 260rem and get 2750fps using h4831sc. I think with your longer barrel you could get over 2800fps and be in great shape. these were also loaded to run from a AI mag, 2.80in Max OAL. they are softer and probably pretty close to the AMax in terms of build. That's what I'd shoot

 

[elkaholic]

I load the 143 eld-x in my 22" 260rem and get 2750fps using h4831sc. I think with your longer barrel you could get over 2800fps and be in great shape. these were also loaded to run from a AI mag, 2.80in Max OAL. they are softer and probably pretty close to the AMax in terms of build. That's what I'd shoot

+1 on the 143 eldx. They expand very well at lower velocity and yet hold up quite well to 260 velocities in the media tests I have run. Also, they are extremely accurate. I don't think you would like the result on elk with a heavier constructed, heavier weight, bullet at 260 velocities. I have killed in excess of 25 bulls with 140's in a 6.5 A.I. and Sherman running them 3100-3200, and the 140's work just fine........Rich

 

[jimbires]

RL26 about 2850FPS , and RL17 around 2825 FPS , max loads with the 24"bbl using 143ELDx bullets .

 

[scottishkat]

RL26 about 2850FPS , and RL17 around 2825 FPS , max loads with the 24"bbl using 143ELDx bullets .

Jimbires do you mean RL 23 or 26? Everything I have read about 26 says its slower than 25 which you probably cant fit enough in a 260 rem case. RL 23 is very similar to RL 22 which can make the 260 sing.

What are the loads you are shooting?

Shoot straight

Bob

 

[jimbires]

Jimbires do you mean RL 23 or 26? Everything I have read about 26 says its slower than 25 which you probably cant fit enough in a 260 rem case. RL 23 is very similar to RL 22 which can make the 260 sing.

What are the loads you are shooting?

Shoot straight

Bob

here is a quickload powder chart for the 260 rem using the 143 ELDx bullets . RL26 is not up to max psi due to cartridge fill % that I have set at 105% max . I also set max psi at 60200 instead of 60191psi saami if you would make the COAL longer than the saami spec of 2.800" more powder could be used to get higher velocity yet , but as it is RL26 is tops for velocity . when I played with my 260 and the 143 ELDx bullets I used RL17 . it provides max psi with a workable case fill % , but it's lacking about 40FPS .

RL22 at 45.0 gr is at 105% case fill and it's only 54561 PSI and 2758FPS . RL22 is a powder that you can't get enough in the case to be usefull .
hope this helps Jim

Cartridge : .260 Rem
Bullet : .264, 143, Hornady ELD-X 2635 G7
Useable Case Capaci: 45.544 grain H2O = 2.957 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 60200 psi, or 415 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

7 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 105.0 47.4 3.07 2864 100.0 56910 10766 1.223 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 103.2 46.2 2.99 2852 99.7 60200 10519 1.190 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ReloadSwiss RS 60 97.0 42.7 2.77 2843 100.0 60200 9620 1.194 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-17 96.0 42.3 2.74 2822 100.0 60200 9557 1.202 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Elcho 17 96.0 42.3 2.74 2822 100.0 60200 9557 1.202 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma MRP 105.0 46.0 2.98 2815 99.1 56000 10747 1.235 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62 99.5 43.8 2.83 2798 100.0 60200 9658 1.221 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 511 97.4 43.6 2.82 2792 99.8 60200 9841 1.211 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S365 102.8 42.9 2.78 2792 100.0 60200 9117 1.216 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Hunter 100.6 43.6 2.83 2791 99.8 60200 9828 1.211 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AR 2209 104.4 43.6 2.83 2788 98.3 60200 10010 1.199 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-19 105.0 44.1 2.86 2786 98.4 59861 10078 1.209 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester 760 95.0 42.2 2.73 2785 99.5 60200 9817 1.215 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H414 95.0 42.2 2.73 2785 99.5 60200 9817 1.215 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828 SSC 105.0 45.3 2.93 2777 96.6 56512 10452 1.226 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 100.1 41.6 2.69 2771 100.0 60200 9392 1.219 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N550 97.2 41.7 2.70 2771 100.0 60200 9520 1.224 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 100.2 41.6 2.70 2771 100.0 60200 9390 1.220 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate 4350 99.5 41.8 2.71 2768 100.0 60200 9362 1.236 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA4 102.9 43.2 2.80 2764 98.2 60200 9797 1.209 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma 204 99.6 43.2 2.80 2764 98.2 60200 9797 1.209 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 102.9 43.2 2.80 2764 98.2 60200 9797 1.209 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 105.0 44.1 2.86 2760 98.2 58453 9949 1.222 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 105.0 42.2 2.74 2752 100.0 60006 9183 1.230 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N560 105.0 45.0 2.92 2751 95.6 53331 10666 1.263 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 105.0 44.6 2.89 2745 99.0 59328 9631 1.234 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 100.4 42.8 2.77 2744 99.3 60200 9472 1.222 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester Supreme 780 103.6 45.9 2.97 2744 98.2 60200 9568 1.211 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AR 2213 105.0 44.6 2.89 2739 96.1 55090 10267 1.241 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 102.8 41.8 2.71 2732 100.0 60200 8629 1.219 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R904 103.5 42.8 2.78 2730 97.3 60200 9507 1.214 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA15 105.0 44.6 2.89 2729 97.4 52738 10338 1.274 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 105.0 44.6 2.89 2729 97.4 52738 10338 1.274 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 105.0 44.6 2.89 2729 97.4 52738 10338 1.274 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 99.5 41.3 2.68 2727 99.5 60200 9301 1.233 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4831 SC 105.0 44.6 2.89 2725 96.0 57811 9768 1.227 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 105.0 46.9 3.04 2724 93.6 52174 10625 1.280 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 92.2 39.6 2.56 2724 100.0 60200 9040 1.233 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma 203 old 92.6 39.3 2.55 2717 100.0 60200 8690 1.244 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP3 92.6 39.3 2.55 2717 100.0 60200 8690 1.244 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R903 94.7 39.3 2.55 2711 100.0 60200 8612 1.244 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S355 94.8 38.9 2.52 2706 100.0 60200 8623 1.238 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Lovex S065 98.2 40.3 2.61 2705 99.9 60200 8954 1.235 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Magnum 105.0 48.0 3.11 2704 97.8 52793 9961 1.267 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 97.0 40.0 2.59 2703 99.0 60200 9116 1.230 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R907 97.0 40.0 2.59 2703 99.0 60200 9116 1.230 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 4007 SSC 94.0 40.0 2.59 2703 99.0 60200 9109 1.230 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S361 102.4 45.8 2.97 2700 96.4 60200 9313 1.226 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate 4064 92.1 37.8 2.45 2674 100.0 60200 8121 1.268 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R905 105.0 43.7 2.83 2659 94.9 50963 9848 1.298
Alliant Reloder-23 105.0 43.1 2.79 2652 100.0 47988 9445 1.331
Bofors RP15 105.0 43.6 2.83 2651 96.3 48236 10093 1.327
Winchester WXR 105.0 43.6 2.83 2651 96.3 48236 10093 1.327
SNPE Vectan SP 12 105.0 47.1 3.05 2647 94.9 47915 10274 1.320
Accurate 3100 105.0 44.1 2.86 2645 99.2 52428 9249 1.315 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 105.0 47.1 3.05 2642 94.7 47645 10267 1.324
Hodgdon H4831 105.0 42.8 2.78 2611 94.3 50492 9392 1.304
IMR 7828 105.0 42.8 2.78 2609 94.0 46671 9891 1.338
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 105.0 44.9 2.91 2603 91.9 49309 9651 1.313
ADI AP 2214 105.0 45.8 2.97 2599 94.0 47760 9769 1.325
Alliant Reloder-25 105.0 43.8 2.84 2595 98.5 43463 9971 1.381
Vihtavuori N165 105.0 43.6 2.83 2588 97.1 49586 9029 1.324
Vihtavuori N160 105.0 42.3 2.74 2577 95.3 50856 8908 1.311
Bofors RP30 105.0 44.1 2.86 2499 92.1 39050 9881 1.459
Norma MRP 2 105.0 44.1 2.86 2499 92.1 39050 9881 1.459
Lovex S071 105.0 41.7 2.70 2492 97.6 43133 8874 1.438
Vihtavuori N570 105.0 46.5 3.01 2462 83.6 37829 10129 1.479
ADI AR 2217 105.0 43.6 2.83 2442 90.8 40033 9158 1.440
Hodgdon H1000 105.0 43.6 2.83 2442 90.8 40033 9158 1.440
ADI AR 2225 105.0 44.3 2.87 2387 92.3 34758 9627 1.531
Hodgdon Retumbo 105.0 44.3 2.87 2387 92.3 34758 9627 1.531
Alliant Reloder-33 105.0 47.8 3.10 2380 81.9 35170 9716 1.531
Lovex D100 105.0 47.4 3.07 2342 78.6 39387 8266 1.473
ReloadSwiss RS 80 105.0 47.8 3.10 2327 80.9 33503 9487 1.564
Vihtavuori N170 105.0 43.6 2.83 2310 82.2 35945 8364 1.544
Vihtavuori 24N41 105.0 47.0 3.04 2306 74.7 36757 8434 1.512
ADI AR 2218 105.0 47.0 3.04 2298 76.3 34520 9208 1.549
Norma 217 105.0 43.4 2.81 2288 88.5 29891 9391 1.628
Hodgdon H870 105.0 45.5 2.95 2253 80.5 30393 9030 1.635
Alliant Reloder-50 105.0 47.7 3.09 2184 75.1 27352 8958 1.709
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 105.0 46.6 3.02 2168 68.9 28803 8277 1.703
Hodgdon 50BMG 105.0 44.8 2.90 2142 66.3 30087 7649 1.656
Hodgdon US 869 105.0 47.0 3.04 2137 69.9 29708 7709 1.668
SNPE Vectan SP 13 105.0 45.0 2.92 2094 74.3 26971 7683 1.736
Accurate 8700 105.0 46.0 2.98 2052 71.4 26750 7425 1.744
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520 105.0 45.0 2.92 2035 70.7 25519 7342 1.780
Vihtavuori 20N29 105.0 47.4 3.07 2022 67.9 25301 7402 1.783
NC A3502 ,test only 105.0 43.1 2.79 1888 48.2 25211 5320 1.810
TLP A 502(RH) ,test only 105.0 43.1 2.79 1868 52.3 23417 5690 1.861
V1734 7-multiperf ,test only 105.0 43.1 2.79 1348 23.8 13526 2602 2.394

 

[scottishkat]

That's great info I appreciate it. RL 26 and MRP look pretty sweet.

I was thinking about trying URP but I might have to get my hands on some RL26. Always playing with my 260's. I have some MRP to try tried RL17 with 120's I did not have my chronograph at 43 gr recoil seemed high but there were no accompanying signs of pressure.

Is 26 a change to spherical or is it still extruded I/E 22 and 25?

Thanks again for the info.

Bob

 

[elkaholic]

Jimbires do you mean RL 23 or 26? Everything I have read about 26 says its slower than 25 which you probably cant fit enough in a 260 rem case. RL 23 is very similar to RL 22 which can make the 260 sing.

What are the loads you are shooting?

Shoot straight

Bob

RL26 is faster than 25 in my Sherman cases both long and short action.....Rich

 

[jimbires]

That's great info I appreciate it. RL 26 and MRP look pretty sweet.

I was thinking about trying URP but I might have to get my hands on some RL26. Always playing with my 260's. I have some MRP to try tried RL17 with 120's I did not have my chronograph at 43 gr recoil seemed high but there were no accompanying signs of pressure.

Is 26 a change to spherical or is it still extruded I/E 22 and 25?

Thanks again for the info.

Bob

Bob , your welcome for the info . quickload is a very handy item for playing around like this . I think it's well worth the cost . it took about 2 minutes to make that powder list .

RL26 is a stick powder , like 17 , 22 , and 25

My problem with RL26 and MRP , " in this 260 combo ", are the case fill % will not allow you to get to peak pressure of 60200 psi . I usually get a dirty rifle from running low pressure loads . when I get the pressure up the powder burns cleaner . more efficient I guess .

my way of thinking by looking at this info , is RL17 is the cats meow ," in this combo" . max powder charge is 96% case fill . I like my case fill to be 90% min , and 105% max . this gives me a full case and at 105% your not compressing enough to give headaches . if you get a different lot of powder that needs extra powder to get your velocity back to where it was , you have plenty of empty case for this being it is 96% .if the new powder needs the charge reduced it will still be over 90% case fill . most of my loads are at or over book max , so this 96% fill works out for this too . I load for accuracy while I watch for pressure signs . book max is not a definite stopping point for me . I also want to be able to reach max pressure in the 90% - 105% case fill for the clean burning . I also want the velocity at the higher end . I sound like a spoiled brat . hell no , I'm not picky . Ha Jim