Thread: 6.5mm questions....

@Cigar would you think that most any practical hunting round would fit the 260AI standard mag length in an 85? Mine measured at 2.97". I don't know if it makes much difference but planning to run a 22" barrel.

Reading through is sounds like the Creedmoor is the easy option. What's the spread between the Creed and the 260AI? 100fps or so? Would there even be any perceivable difference sub 500m?

Originally Posted by HuntGatherRepeat

@Cigar would you think that most any practical hunting round would fit the 260AI standard mag length in an 85? Mine measured at 2.97". I don't know if it makes much difference but planning to run a 22" barrel.

Reading through is sounds like the Creedmoor is the easy option. What's the spread between the Creed and the 260AI? 100fps or so? Would there even be any perceivable difference sub 500m?

My .260AI with a 22" barrel used to get 2920fps this is the 40 degree shoulder and my standard .260 gets 2860fps with a 20" the only down side of the Standard. 260 is case trimming which I think is easier than fireforming.
My is on a Tikka with long mag and bolt stop 20 thou off the lands.

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Originally Posted by HuntGatherRepeat

@Cigar would you think that most any practical hunting round would fit the 260AI standard mag length in an 85? Mine measured at 2.97". I don't know if it makes much difference but planning to run a 22" barrel.

Reading through is sounds like the Creedmoor is the easy option. What's the spread between the Creed and the 260AI? 100fps or so? Would there even be any perceivable difference sub 500m?

My mag must be the same, previous owner said 2.966, I roughly measured at 2.95 last night. Other than the LRAB at 3.00 on the lands, everything else is 2.94 COAL or less on the lands. I have some Sierra 142 gamekings I haven’t measured yet that are supposed to shoot really well in my rifle at 0.010 jump.

I don’t know what difference an AI would be from my standard 260, or if my finnlight barrel/throat is different from normal 85.

Originally Posted by Cigar

My mag must be the same, previous owner said 2.966, I roughly measured at 2.95 last night. Other than the LRAB at 3.00 on the lands, everything else is 2.94 COAL or less on the lands. I have some Sierra 142 gamekings I haven’t measured yet that are supposed to shoot really well in my rifle at 0.010 jump.

I don’t know what difference an AI would be from my standard 260, or if my finnlight barrel/throat is different from normal 85.

What sort of speeds are you getting with the finlight.
How well does it shoot as I may be looking at upgrading to one or a carbon light.

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Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

What sort of speeds are you getting with the finlight.
How well does it shoot as I may be looking at upgrading to one or a carbon light.

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I’m still working up loads but near max book loads I am at about 2800 FPS with the 120BT and 2600 with the 143 ELD-X (can check chrony data tonight). No pressure signs yet and earlier owner has loaded higher with no issues. I’ll have to check group sizes later but sub MOA, ELD-X in front of 42.5 grains of AR2209 looked very promising so have some loads around that charge to recheck next time.

Originally Posted by Cigar

I’m still working up loads but near max book loads I am at about 2800 FPS with the 120BT and 2600 with the 143 ELD-X (can check chrony data tonight). No pressure signs yet and earlier owner has loaded higher with no issues. I’ll have to check group sizes later but sub MOA, ELD-X in front of 42.5 grains of AR2209 looked very promising so have some loads around that charge to recheck next time.

Checked chrony data, 20 inch barrel.
120BT doing 2833 with 45.5gr of 2209, best group 0.7moa at 100m with 44gr.
143 ELD-X doing 2593 with 42.5gr, 2634 fps with 43gr ( Best group 0.38moa at 100m with 42.5gr.
129sst does 2606 and 2637 with same powder charges. Best group 0.7moa but didn't write down what powder charge.

At this stage I'm going with the 120BT and 143 ELD-X, but will check out how the 140 Gamekings go.

Originally Posted by Cigar

Checked chrony data, 20 inch barrel.
120BT doing 2833 with 45.5gr of 2209, best group 0.7moa at 100m with 44gr.
143 ELD-X doing 2593 with 42.5gr, 2634 fps with 43gr ( Best group 0.38moa at 100m with 42.5gr.
129sst does 2606 and 2637 with same powder charges. Best group 0.7moa but didn't write down what powder charge.

At this stage I'm going with the 120BT and 143 ELD-X, but will check out how the 140 Gamekings go.

2209 generally gives very good accuracy in a 260, but its as slow as a wet week. If you can live with dialing a bit more elevation and reducing your terminal range then its a good powder.

Originally Posted by Cigar

Checked chrony data, 20 inch barrel.
120BT doing 2833 with 45.5gr of 2209, best group 0.7moa at 100m with 44gr.
143 ELD-X doing 2593 with 42.5gr, 2634 fps with 43gr ( Best group 0.38moa at 100m with 42.5gr.
129sst does 2606 and 2637 with same powder charges. Best group 0.7moa but didn't write down what powder charge.

At this stage I'm going with the 120BT and 143 ELD-X, but will check out how the 140 Gamekings go.

I would try 2208 for the 120's you should get better speed. I run 2208 for the 120's and 2209 for the 140's

Originally Posted by johnd

I would try 2208 for the 120's you should get better speed. I run 2208 for the 120's and 2209 for the 140's

I'll give that a try, I have some 2208. Most load data I've seen online shows better speed with 2209 but that's normally with 24 inch barrels