Hunting load recipes for Remington Model 7 in .260 Remington

[jtkratzer]

I'm looking for what works for whitetail hunting in a 20" 1/9" twist barrel on a Remington Model Seven. I've read everything from 100-140 grain for deer, but seems most say the 100-125 range is sufficient for the size of the deer in Pennsylvania. I'd like to shoot something that performs well out to at least 300-400 yards. There are places where longer shots are available, but I'd expect for this gun, where I hunt, 99% of the shots will be well under 500 yards.

I haven't reloaded a single cartridge in my life. I've read the ABCs of Reloading and a .260 reloading manual.

I'm planning on picking up an RCBS kit, case trimmer, and 750 scale whenever I get a chance to run to the wholesaler. I'd like to get some loads worked up for hunting next year.

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas (I know I need to read more and watch some videos or find someone locally who can show me the ropes)...I'll take them. Thanks in advance.

 

[jtkratzer]

Anyone have anything for a 1/9 twist barrel, doesn't have to be 20" or Remington. Just looking for a place to start. I'm seeing that most of the custom/match rifles are 1/8 or 1/8.5" and they're usually not shooting hunting bullets. I've read about kills with match bullets, but I'd prefer to look at something like the Hormady A-Max or SST, or Nosler partition ballistic tip, etc. I'd prefer to stay away from soft points. Anything that will stabilize in a 1/9 twist, ballistic tip type bullet, for hunting deer.

 

[Freebore]

I used 120 Speer Hot-Cor Spitzers with IMR-4064 BR-2 primers and Rem brass when I had this rifle. It was a deer rifle for under 400 yard shots and it worked very well in Pa and NY. Sold it because the 260 just didn't tickle me.

I like my 7mm-08's better. Now the 6.5x.284 is something else....

 

[Jumpalot]

Used the 123 gr. AMax this year on a decent sized whitetail. Hit him behind the shoulder and left a good sized exit hole. Deer went about ten feet and fell over. Used 45.5 grns. of H4350 in Lapua Brass and BR-2 primers. I did have to give quite a bit of jump before it would shoot.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

120g TTSX, H4350, Lapua Brass, CCI BR2 primers would be where I would start should work real well on bears as well at the distance you stated.

 

[jtkratzer]

Thanks for the suggestions. That's what I was looking for. I was thinking with the 1/9 twist, I'd need to be below the 130 gr mark. I was looking at the 123 gr A-Max and the TTSX bullets last night.

Looks like the H4350, Lapua brass, and BR-2 primers are common on this thread. That's a powder I have read that's frequently used in the .260. H4831sc is another I've read about.

I'm picking up the rifle tomorrow and I'll probably make the trip to the distributor for the reloading equipment and a scope.

Now...to join a club with a range longer than 200 yards in the area.

 

[outofayr]

I load 120gr Nosler BTs over RL-15 and CCI BR-2 primers for my wife's Model 7 260 rem. Velocity isn't as high with the 18.5" bbl, but accuracy is superb.

 

[jtkratzer]

I picked up my rifle today and grabbed a business card of a guy who loads custom ammo for people, takes them to the range to test them, and tweaks it from there.

He's going to load 140 gr Hornady SSTs. Price is about 1/4-1/3 of the prices for ammo at Cabela's. Until I get my reloading equipment and set up, I'll use his services.

 

[jtkratzer]

Got an email this morning that Cabela's is running a sale and the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading kit is one of those items...on sale for $269.99 plus a $50 mail in rebate. The sale price is only a couple dollars over wholesale.

 

[jtkratzer]

Been doing some reading here and other sites and it seems there are several options for Hodgdon powders (4350, 4381sc) and Reloder powders. Other than trial and error with all the various components, is there any better way narrow it down?

There are lots of options for bullets and bullet weights, quite a few primers, brass options, and then powders and weights of charges to try. Then there's seating depth, how far off the the lands to seat the bullet, neck sizing/full length sizing...it seems the options are almost limitless.

 

[Freebore]

As per your original post...you ask for some recipes....some where provided.

As far as your last post...where does a guy start....

Ask yourself what are you trying to do/hunt with the cartridge? Which you did provide in original post... You need to pick a bullet and what velocity you want to drive it at..find a manual that will give you this velocity by a powder ....supposedly what is the accuracy load.

As far as OAL start with factory spec.

 

[jtkratzer]

As per your original post...you ask for some recipes....some where provided.

As far as your last post...where does a guy start....

Ask yourself what are you trying to do/hunt with the cartridge? Which you did provide in original post... You need to pick a bullet and what velocity you want to drive it at..find a manual that will give you this velocity by a powder ....supposedly what is the accuracy load.

As far as OAL start with factory spec.

I picked up one of these:

I guess part of the "fun" or enjoyment of reloading is the tinkering. I suppose buying a pound of 2 or 3 powders isn't a huge investment. I need to read more. The book I read was a good start to cover the process, but the routine or process people generally follow when working up a load hasn't really been covered other than starting at a base load and working up to the max and finding what's most accurate/suitable for the intended use. I suppose if you do that across a couple different bullet types/weights, something will probably stick out as the go to load.

I'm just at the point where I don't know what I don't know yet and the Speer reloading manual is what I'm in now as it came with the kit, but it's thicker than the Bible.

 

[Freebore]

If you do a search for what is called a 'ladder test' read up on this process. It is probably the quickest way to find a decent load. Once one is found you can tweak it by changing primer brands and OAL in increments of .005-.010 shooting three shot groups. Let the barrel go cold between volleys. There is no 'heat' in barrel when you fire first shot when hunting is there?. Especially with that thin Mod.7 barrel.

Try that 120grn Speer Hot-Cor spitzer with IMR-4064 as I had suggested in previous post to this thread. I used that in 20" barreled Savage. The 140's are the heavies for the 6.5 caliber. Don't be afraid to try the Nosler Ballistic tips either.

Get a chronograph!!! They are @100 buck from Shooting Chrony..its all you need. When you set it up and look thru scope to place cross-hairs on target, take bolt out prior to, then look thru barrel to ensure you above Chronograph with bullet flight path (experience ).

I've been loading for 40+ years it is fun. Can be frustrating at times. Lots of help here that was not available to some us other than deer camp or sporting good stores chatter.

Keep Safe!

 

[jtkratzer]

129 gr Hornady SST, 2.800 COL, Federal 210 Gold Match Primer, R-P Brass, 46.0 gr H4381sc. This was the best 100 yard group out of the 4 powder charges I shot today.