Thread: Breaking in the 260rem and load development

Bloody odd this, 6.5's generally shoot bloody good regardless of what you throw in them, especially 6.5CM & 260. I've always found you are trying to improve on the 3 shot 0.75 MOA that they usually produce straight up.

Greetings again @Sidetrack,
You may know the standard test for bedding but just in case here it is. With the action snugged down in the stock hold the barrel and fore end with one hand and loosen the front action screw. You should not feel any movement between the barrel and fore end. Do the same thing with the rear screw and the tang and stock. Once again there should be no movement between the tang and stock. If you feel movement then strip the rifle and remove the mag well which is just a loose fit between the action and floor plate. Reassemble and test again. If there is movement with the mag well in and none with it out then the mag well is binding or is too big for its space. It is possible that the action is hung up somewhere in its recess on the underside of the action so make sure that there are no rough edges on the top of the well. You can test the rifle with the well out if you like. To me this is the most likely problem with a dud scope right behind. Action screws that are too long or crud in their holes are possible as well.
Best of luck, Grandpamac.

Loverly morning here so took some me time to catch on the 260 progress. Had already gone through the above checks, thanks GPM, and found nothing untoward so as it’s a perfect range day here, and before I toss the scope, ran 2 x 3 shot groups with some Hornady factory 129SST’s which I found in Invers last year.
They are a reasonably spicy load but like the Corelokts, about 6” high. To test the scope, I dropped 20 clicks and shot the next three. Tracked spot on and while the group is nothing to write home about, it’s consistent so will now crack on with load development.

Make sure you haven't or aren't about to run out of windage clicks on your scope,had a bit of drama with my 260 a wee while back with a replacement scope and new rings,was doubting scope but worked out I had run out of windage via the Leupols site and was scattering rounds like yours l.Then found out the rings were not true by placing some straight pipe in them and comparing to barrel,well out!.Changed rings to true ones,recentered windagef,sighted in and all good,the faulty rings were Leupolds too.

Sing out if you need any brass i have enough now and can spare some.

It’s been awhile since last update but have not long got this rifle back from the gunsmith. A number of niggly issues had to be resolved before I got on with load development.
Inspecting the brass after the last range outing, I had noticed that the shoulder was showing quite pronounced marking. Quick look down the chamber showed some pretty average machining with the shoulder heavily grooved. Not exactly Trueflite’s best work I would imagine but I guess the odd one slips through occasionally and it was a few years ago now.



Decided to have that tidied up, the feed issue sorted, barrel threaded for a suppressor, trigger adjusted, and a confirmation that the bedding was all good to go. This rifle was also destined to receive some decent optics, for my benefit as well, so lashed out on a Burris HD Signature E3 3-15x44. Even though it’s hardly high end, was damn near a $1000 more than I’d ever spent on scope!!! I think my butt’s finally stopped squeaking now
So, all systems go. Slotted it into a set of Talley lows I had, looks good, sits nicely on the rifle so happy as. Got it close to where I wanted it and nipped it up. Mounted the rifle a couple of three times to check fit and bugger!! too low, went to cycle the bolt and no, contacts the scope mid handle. That I could sort with a bit of minor grinding but the eye line is just too low. She’ll need a set of mediums and I’m back to parking it in the safe. I really should divorce the bitch but I still love her so I’ll continue to stroke her gently in the continued hope she’ll start cooperating and let me get the best out of her. Some long range shooting is calling and the weather is on the improve.

Don't discount 120-gr projos , some .260's and 6.5's love them and within their useage-range/conditions etc they absolutely flatten deer often expanding better than 140's . An early True-Flight job on one of my 6.5-rifles (many years back before it changed-hands ) was an utter crappy disaster , hopefully yours works-out ok

Thank you, my thoughts were tracking that way. I’m going to start with 129gn SST’s as I have plenty but was building up a stock of 120-123gn’s for the Grendal so will be good to be able to share across both platforms if it works out that way.