.260 load w/ Varget?

[mikek]

Can anyone give me a .260 starting load using Varget and 120 and 142 SMK's.  I have tried R-19 and with the 142's it is a bit too compressed for my liking and it burned extremely dirty.  Thanks,  Michael

[Arizona Jake]

Mike:

36.0 grains of Varget should produce velocity approximating 2600 FPS with 107 or 120 grain bullets, along with excellent precision. While I am not using Varget for the 140's or 142's, 36.0 grains should also work fine.

39.0 - 39.5 grains of IMR4350 gives excellent results in my rifle with 140/142 grain bullets.  :cb2:

[Mongo1]

mikek,

If Rel 19 was burning dirty I would think that you were not using enough.  It shoots well when compressed.  Just how much were you using?  You are keeping the bullet off the lands aren't you?

Jake's suggestion of IMR 4350 should work fine (H 4350 is good too).  I have shot it as well as Rel 19 with OK results.  Varget gets rather hard on primer pockets above much 36 grains with any of the heavier bullets in my rifles.  It works OK with the lighter bullets in the 36-37 grain range in my rifles, as does H 4895 which is generally a little more flexible in the loads that can be worked up with different weight bullets in my experience.

Take your pick.

[mikek]

Mr Mongo,  I actually have it crammed in the lands.  I haven't a clue what the freebore is so it may not have enough.  There is possbly no way more R-19 would fit.  In fact it seats the bullets so hard it rings the bullet with the plunger.  I have used an 8" tube and barely trickled it.  I am actually going to use the 120's until I figure more out about the chamber.  Thanks for the replies,  Michael

[Mongo1]

mikek,

Chambers can and do vary quite a bit depending upon who chambered it so caution is always in order.  Your description of what is occurring is rather puzzling as Rel 19 does not have a reputation for burning dirty, but it obviously is in your case.  It is possible that the particular lot of powder you have may be unusual or it simply is not working well in the combination you have.  Obviously, something else is in order.  

The reason I recommend staying off the lands with the heavier bullets is that pressure signs may appear before reaching the velocity window which the cartridge is capable of achieving when the bullet is into the lands, at least that has been my experience.

You will want to talk with the gunsmith who chambered the barrel or can make a chamber cast to see what it looks like, but you will still need to taylor your loads to what it will accept.  I would also recommend speaking with tech support at Alliant Powder.  http://www.alliantpowder.com/about/contact.php about the Rel 19 burning dirty.  The brass you are using could also affect the case capacity.  (308 Win brass, especially GI brass typically has less case capacity than 260 Rem brass or reformed 243 or 7-08 brass for example.)  The people at Sierra Bullets are also good to talk to ( 1.800.223.8799).

[drags]

Check sierras website and look at Derek Greenaways BIO, he uses varget and he lists his loads for the 107 and 142gr MTK.