New .260AI Shorty Build

[lancetkenyon]

Yes. I run 3k fps with 140's.

Probably pretty easily. I get 140s.to 2996 in my 24". Or 130s to 3068

YES we DO as, the Barrel "Life" with, the Puny 6.5 Creed,.. is DOUBLE++ that of, the .260 Ai's barrel Life, for us Old,.. "tight wads" ( LOL ! )
Sub 1/2 MOA 130 grainers at, 2,800+ FPS is, good enough, for me on, Steel, Deer and, Antelope !
If i were Hunting real, Long Ranges, or, Elk, I'd probably Opt for, the .260 Ai, tho !

Not sure about double++.
My last 6.5SLR barrel lasted 2800 rounds of a 140 @ 2860fps.
We will see how long my 24" .260AI lasts pushing a 130 @ 3068.
But I can attest to the 130s shooting and killing way out there.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Why do you assume the Creed will have "double" the barrel life of the AI? You aren't burning THAT much more powder, case diameter is the same, neck diameter is the same.

I'm not buying that theory.

I'm NOT "assuming",..
Spend some Time on, Accurate Shooter to Find the Answer to THIS ( Most there say, 1200- 1700 Rds of, realistic, "Accuracy life" ).
the Creedmoor HAS, it's Place, IMO as Does, the .260 Ai !

 

[Idaho Lefty]

To get those "Screaming Velocities" in the .260 Ai, most people, are using some very Hot burning Powders to, achieve them and THAT makes,..
all the Difference, in Barrel "Life" and,.. Throat Erosion.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I'm NOT "assuming",..
Spend some Time on, Accurate Shooter to Find the Answer to THIS ( Most there say, 1200- 1700 Rds of, realistic, "Accuracy life" ).
the Creedmoor HAS, it's Place, IMO as Does, the .260 Ai !

And most of those guys over there are shooting competitions and hammering their barrels. In a hunting rig neither will likely shoot out a barrel but you'll leave plenty of performance on the table with the Creed.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

All I'm saying, is that, "Performance", HAS,.. a Price.
the N-550's, RL-17's, and other, "Hot burning" Powders,.. EAT, Throats.
And YES, how fast they are shot and Cleaning techniques, makes some difference, also ( Agreed )
I'd love to see, either of, the 6.5 SLR or .260 Ai become, a Factory standard, SAMMI round as, it has, a "Place"
I've been, "Looking at" the .260 Ai for my next build, as it's, a Sweet Cart. !

 

[sierracharlie338]

Nice Lance! Can't wait to see updates! Might be rebarreling for a 260AI soon.

 

[del2les]

Probably pretty easily. I get 140s.to 2996 in my 24". Or 130s to 3068.

Yes. I've loaded it faster, but I like the groups it produced in the lower 3k vels and easier on the brass.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I had a few solid 1/2" 5-shot groups yesterday with fire forming loads. So I loaded up 25 more with the 42.6gr charge weight and 2702fps w. ES of 10. Headed to go bang some steel this morning with them. We will see if they hold together out to 1100. Might go to 1400 if 1100 goes well.

Stay tuned.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Went all the way out to 1389 today. Two shots just off the right side getting my wind call right, then 3 in a row on steel.

Shot a total of 25 fire forming rounds. From 331 to 1389. But mostly from 640 to 989.

I did have one split case, which I have never had happen before on any AI or Sherman Imp case, in probably 2000+ pcs. Not sure exactly why. I happened to catch it on video too. Shot #2, you can see a puff of smoke from the action. Shot was a hit on the bottom of the 6" round.

 

[xsn10s]

Went all the way out to 1389 today. Two shots just off the right side getting my wind call right, then 3 in a row on steel.

Shot a total of 25 fire forming rounds. From 331 to 1389. But mostly from 640 to 989.

I did have one split case, which I have never had happen before on any AI or Sherman Imp case, in probably 2000+ pcs. Not sure exactly why. I happened to catch it on video too. Shot #2, you can see a puff of smoke from the action. Shot was a hit on the bottom of the 6" round.



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I'll find a high quality Savage 110 to trade you for that unsafe shorty 260 AI. What can I say, I'm a giver.

 

[lacajun]

Following to see how the 20" Benchmark does. Thinking of re-barreling my mod 7 260 with an 18" or 20" 260 AI tube..What kinda speed you getting with 140's

 

[TopPin]

260 with 140 grain bullets…, 2910
With h4350

 

[Recon$$]

Always has the good stuff, jealous.

 

[lancetkenyon]

This weekend, I took it to the range to fire form some more brass (40 rounds fired at the same target), and also tested some 140 Hybs in once fired formed brass. I tested H4350 and the "magic" RL26 just to see if the claims of "an additional 100fps" were realistic.

.918" (.887 MOA) across 4.5 hours and fluctuating winds. .588" vertical, .918" horizontal.

H4350 topped out at a whopping 2915fps from my 20" 1:7.5" Benchmark! I was pleasantly surprised. I was hoping for 2850. But best accuracy was at 2880fps.
RL26 started out a lot slower than I thought (2750fps), and I was pretty disappointed. So I actually skipped the next charge weight, planning on shooting every other one to see of it improved. Charge weight #3 was 2850, just .8gr over #1. RL26 would end up topping out at 3011fps, but it started to open up. Just a hint of an ejector shine on one case, so it is max. From a 20" pushing a 140 Hyb. Best accuracy was at 2960 and 2982. The RL26 was not as accurate as the H4350 loads, but I think seating depths might bring them in some.