Building a 260

[DrMike]

OK thanks. I'm looking at the the 3.5x10 44. I see they have the 3x9 for $299 after rebate. Pretty good.

I've owned several of the 3-9X42 Conquest scopes. All were good scopes, and at $299 (after rebate), they are real value. Alas, my eyes are no longer capable of distinguishing the difference between 3.5-10X44 and 3-9X42, I fear. Even when I was younger, there was such minor difference that I didn't detect significant difference in the field. I carry on the lowest power because of the possibility of a snap shot at any time. Then, if game is sighted at longer range, I should have ample time to turn the power ring to the highest setting.

 

[BK]

OK thanks. I'm looking at the the 3.5x10 44. I see they have the 3x9 for $299 after rebate. Pretty good.

I could never bring myself to even consider the 3.5-10x44 Conquest with the price jump over the 3-9x40 being so large. I personally would opt for the 4.5.14x44 as the next step up from the 3-9x.

 

[BeeTee]

I carry on the lowest power because of the possibility of a snap shot at any time. Then, if game is sighted at longer range, I should have ample time to turn the power ring to the highest setting.

Wish I'd had someone explain the scope power thing to me before I found myself in the midst of a small herd of elk all those years ago. Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age... Sometimes age just shows up all by itself (movie quote).

 

[FOTIS]

I carry on the lowest power because of the possibility of a snap shot at any time. Then, if game is sighted at longer range, I should have ample time to turn the power ring to the highest setting.

Absolutely! The only way to do it for sure.

 

[billbam]

Picked up the 260 last week. I had gone with a brown stock and did some prep work on it when it came in prior to dropping it off at the gunsmiths. I like the stock but it was more work than I expected. He gave me a call when he was going to do the barrel in which I went there and spent the day there watching. Pretty sharp. I am finishing the stock myself and have been working on it for a few days. It’s probably about 2-3 weeks until I get it finished up.

 

[gerry]

It's taking shape nicely Bill. I have a Brown's Precision stock and it is nice, pretty light and tough. Great choice on the caliber and barrel, hard to go wrong with a Rem 700 too..... Let us know how it shoots for you when done.

 

[DrMike]

The rifle is coming along beautifully. It will make it all the more special for you to have some hands on experience in bringing it to completion. Good job.

 

[Songdog]

I dig the rifle, looks great... and the caliber is fantastic...

Here's my .260... it's my go too rig.

Rem 700, 23" Rock 1/8", HS ADL (Manners EH2 gets here Friday), Talleys, SS 3-9 Mil-Mil, 8.5lbs all up.

 

[DrMike]

And that rifle does look as if it has scored a few times. Great pictures, songdog.

 

[gerry]

Nice rig Songdog, very well thought out and the 1 in 8 twist is perfect for a 260 Rem. What's your load? H 4350 has been the go to powder in mine with 129-140 gr bullets. I am planning to use the 123 gr Custom Competition for small varmints when they come in and already have a good all around long range load for deer, wolves and coyotes using the 129 gr ABLR.

 

[billbam]

Very nice. Its very similar to mine. I went with a 23" 1/8 Shilen. I looked at the Manners but went with the Brown. The Manners would have saved me alot of work and is a very nice stock. I think I like the Brown better than the McMillan but don't think I would do the work on one again. I have the stock ready for finishing and am waiting for supplies. Gerry, I have some of the 123's and a jug of H4350 which I am going to start off with and go from there. I am really looking forward to shooting it.

 

[gerry]

Bill, there are numerous combinations that will work out there when it comes to bullets and powder. H 4350 is definitely a top powder for the 260 Rem and if it doesn't work for some strange reason there are lots of other great powders, with the components you used work up should be short and easy.

 

[Songdog]

I'm currently running the 123 Amax at 2950 with 44.4 H4350. It shoots Varget/123s amazing, but 100-125fps slower. I'm not real keen on any of the 123 match hollow points on fur... both the Scenar and Match King have been very irratic on critters... the Amax on the other hand, had turfed everything it has touched... and now!

I've had it since July... It's pounded a few critters.... 123 Amax for all...

 

[gerry]

Looks like you have had excellent results. I have been a Nosler and Speer user mostly but do need to try out some of the Hornady bullets especially in the 260 Rem. Lots of guys speak highly of the A Max and SST bullets......

 

[Songdog]

That's this year's 250lb blacktail buck from your neck of the woods... about 3 miles south of Canada... if I recall. 123 Amax at about 35 yards... blew through the breadbasket and exited hard... deer didn't like it much.

Here's his big brother we killed the next day. My buddy had been watching this deer for the last 4 he's always been a monster fork... look at the body on that pig... he went over 300lbs.

 

[Songdog]

As a note on .260 bullets...

I played with some of the heavier pills, the 139 Scenar and the 140 Amax.... and came away rather unimpressed. I had a hard time getting any if them to 2800... most were 2750ish. Out to 700-800 yards, I noticed no difference in wind.... but I sure noticed a difference in recoil.

Also, because this is primarily a plains coyote/vermin/deer rifle... I like the added velocity the 123s have for those standard inside 300 yard point & shoot type scenarios.

 

[gerry]

Those are beauty blacktails that last one is a beast for sure.

I have noticed that the 130 gr class of bullets shoots noticeably flatter than the 140's at least to 300 yards which is as far as I practiced with the 260 last fall. Pretty tough around here to find a place to shoot farther than that unless in the alpine. I was running the 140's at around 2700 fps or a bit less and the 129-130's 2850-2900 fps, for some reason the 260 starts to perk more with mid weight bullets must be the shorter bearing surface. I do prefer the 140's for black bear but think the 130 gr AccuBond in particular would be a great choice.

 

[Al in SC]

What are the details on your stock? I am not familiar with it. Thanks.
I have a 260 that I like very much. My 10 year old grandson has one he has used for the last 3 years. He has killed 10 with the little "pip squeak" caliber. Ranges were up to 185 yards.
We are finding the 260 to be a very potent and friendly handling white tail deer round.

 

[billbam]

Al, it was a Brown Precision Classic blank. You can also get it pre finished. The blank takes a bit of work but finishes out pretty nice. I ordered it with the extra graphite. I just weighed it, 25 oz. including pad, ready for paint. I'm going to finish it with DuraCoat. Paint should be here Thursday. I think this is going to be alot of fun to shoot.

 

[gerry]

The Brown Precision finishes up pretty light, they are a nice stock. It will be a fun gun for sure, accurate and light kicking.