I finally got around to getting some load development done on my new hunting rifle in 260 Remington. This was a Stevens 200 that I have replaced everything on it except for the bolt and action. The barrel is a 24" ER Shaw .260 Rem chrome-moly sporter from the very first group buy.

My tests were with the following components:

Once fired Remington brass
CCI BR2 Primer
IMR-4350
Sierra 140gr GameKing (with .020 jump) and Berger 140gr Hunting VLD (with .015 jump)

I tested 4 loads each of 40.5, 41, 41.5 and 42gr on each bullet at 100 yards. Here are the results of my best of each:


Sierra 140 Game King with 42gr IMR4350 (velocity: 2738, 2735, 2738, 2740)



Berger 140 Hunting VLD with 41gr IMR4350 (velocity: 2639, 2666, 2653, 2674)


The Sierra was grouping around 1.5" on the first three loads and then at the 42gr load it became spectacular!

Sierra looks good to go

Great groups! I want a 260 so bad.

Shhh, you are going to let the secret out about .260s. The Sierra's look great by the way. To date my wifes .260 shoots the 120g NBT the best but I have her hunting with the 140g Interlock. I think I will try the Game King now and run loads for it in both guns. Thanks for sharing.

Edit: What twist is your barrel?

Nice! If you increase your charge weight some, you will tighten up the groups even further. Try to get the VLD's to 2800 to 2820, and seat them closer to the lands (if possible), and you will see it really shine. The GK load looks good!

Here's a 6 round group I shot at 415 yards with the 130 hunting VLD's. I was testing a load that I liked. It measures 1.18" center to center.

Very nice Chad! Do you think 2800+ on the 140 hunting VLD's is doable on a 24"? I'm using IMR4350 but also have H4350. What would be your pick of powder for the 140 VLD's? I can get them a bit closer to the lands if I need to and still fit the magazine. I believe I was around 2.9 COAL with the .015 jump.

I might have to go back and start my load development over again on my Shilen barreled 260. My ER Shaw sporter contour is outshooting my Shilen Varmint contour right now.

Yes, it's doable. Keep going up. I prefer H4350 for the 260, since it's a Hodgdon extreme powder. But if you have IMR working, just keep with it. You will loose a little fps in the cold, and gain some in the heat.

I just got a savage predators hunter .in 260 can't wait to get started.

Looks great..Jerry, one of Bandera Countys Finest, had his 308
re done by E R Shaw...just had them put a short bull bbl on it
square the bolt face, ect...same hole groups from the get go..dd

That is some sweet shooting!

Other than the AR platform, does anyone make a 260 in semi-auto?

I'm looking at building the EXACT same setup you have. I've got a heavy barreled 260 Rem on a Stevens/Savage platform, but I'm looking to build a walking rifle. Can you take a pic of the rifle itself? I'd love to see what the 24" shaw looks like.

Here are the pics:

Is it easy to swap & headspace the Savage/Stevens barrels on the Savage/Stevens 200 receiver?

Wanting an 8mm Mauser build.

Yes sir, 260 Rem's done it for me a few times; it takes him about 10-15 minutes or so for both headspace and barrel swap.

260 Rem,

Thats a great looking setup you've got there. Is that a Stocky Stocks laminate or a boyds? I'm guessing Stocky Stocks due to the recoil pad. If so, is it a Pachmayr decelerator, or something hard as a rock? (Only reason I ask is I ordered a boyds JRS in the past and regretted it due to their 1/4th inch "forklift tire" pad on a very lightweight 30-06)

RWH24 - Yes barrel swaps on this platform take about 10-15 minutes with some very simple tools (Barrel nut wrench and an action wrench). An 8mm Mauser project would be easy, the most difficult part would be waiting on someone to make you an 8mm barrel. SinArms can turn you a Brux or something like that in about 6 weeks, and if you're near Ennis, TX just run up to Shilen and they could pre-thread chamber a Stainless Match Select, but I'd think that would take more time.

What was your COAL with the SGK's?

Thanks! You nailed it, it is a Stocky's with a nice soft decelerator.

Around 2.730". Its hard to get a good measurement with the lead tips on the SGK's. My tips on this batch are a bit deformed since I pulled them from another load using an inertia puller.

Thanks 260 REM. Beautiful weapon and great shooter. Good job.

I am as well..LOVE that round!!!

Guys, Several yrs. ago I got the wild hair to rebarrel a 116 338Win Mag Savage that has a 21 1/2in bbl w/built in break..It
gets about 250FPS or slower velocity from most loads in our area
which is quite a bit if shooting range over 300 yds...I checked
most of the local guys in San Antonio and New Braunfels, and Seguin..avg turn around time was about 1yr to 1 1/2 yrs min..and
costs above $1000 some at $1800 or more..Last bbl I had done from
Emory Frank Coleman on L/H Savage w/$85...

Shaw quoted me $440 w/squaring the bolt face ect..Several of the
guys have since used them at Bandera Gun Club with different rifles and specs..4 to 6 wks turnaround and much less money..None
have complained about the way their rifles shot..Food for thought
DD

Hello Gang I'm new around here.

260 Rem have a question for you if you don't mind. What twist did you order your barrel from ER Shaw? I am getting ready to build a .260R myself and wondering if I should use a 1:8' or a 1:9" twist. Thanks

35RMB

I went with 1:8. You might have some trouble with 140gr's if you get a 1:9.