308 Palma brass to 260?

[shoots_5]

I've been thinking about this for a few days now....and I'm pretty sure it's gotta be a bad idea since I haven't been able to find much info on it and I'm not smart enough to be the one that comes up with something cool.

Here's my thought: take .308 palma brass that has the small rifle primer pocket and resize it to .260 rem....my thought was sparked by someone talking about the advantage that the 6.5x47 has over the 260 in regards to brass lasting longer due to primer pockets not stretching as readily from pressure. The other advantage that I thought of was the Lapua brand 308 palma brass is significantly cheaper than their 260 brass. The disadvantages I've come up with are possible ignition problems using the SR primer? And the extra work to size it down to 260, likely have to turn the necks and what not....

So tell me why this is a bad idea, or am I on to something here?

 

[AzDak42]

All the established load data for .260, in every manual, is with a large rifle primer. You're basically going out on a limb to figure out what the pressure/velocity will be within safe limits.

Besides that, there are some very fine options in 6.5/260 without having to basically come up with your own wildcat. I can see going through all the work and effort of doing a wildcat, if it gives you something new or interesting. But between the 6.5-284, .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5x47, 6.5 Sweed.. hell, you have just about every permiatation and performance level you'd ever want with lots of affordable brass options along the way.

 

[Guy Miner]

Shoots_5 - it might be worthwhile - but it's worth noting that the .260, with inexpensive brass (Remington I think) was used to win our National Championships at Camp Perry either this year or last year - I've forgotten the specifics. Am thinking that a new record was set on at least one of the stages as well. I'll do a little research and see if I can find the reference.

But - I don't think you'd be flirting with trouble by necking down high quality .308 brass, and you might see some improvement over the large primer stuff. After all, there's a reason the Palma team wanted that small primer .308 brass in the first place!

Worth a try I'd say - but probably not essential.

Regards, Guy

 

[shoots_5]

Thanks guys. I've got 100 pieces of Remington brass, so I'm going to start with those. If the accuracy isn't there or if they don't last more than 4-5 reloads then I'll be trying some Lapua brass, and maybe give the Palma version a go and see what happens. Personally I'm hoping the RP brass works perfectly and I can just load up on some cheaper bulk brass!!!

 

[Jimbeaux82]

The easiest way to form 260 Rem brass is to use 243 brass and just run it through a 260 sizing die. It works like a charm with no other mods necessary. However, I usually use nickle plated brass as a definite flag when I neck up to a different caliber. Also then use Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets as an additional identifier.