Unlocking Precision: The Federal Premium Gold Medal .260 Remington 142 gr Sierra MatchKing

For the discerning long-range shooter, the competitive marksman, and anyone committed to achieving the pinnacle of accuracy, ammunition selection is paramount. The Federal Premium Gold Medal .260 Remington 142 grain Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat-Tail (GM260M) stands as a benchmark in factory-loaded precision ammunition. This isn't just another box of cartridges; it's a meticulously crafted solution designed to eliminate variables and deliver repeatable, sub-minute-of-angle performance at extended distances.

Are you struggling to tighten your groups at 600 yards and beyond? Do you need ammunition that offers unwavering consistency shot after shot in competitive events like the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) or F-Class? The Federal Gold Medal 142 gr MatchKing in .260 Remington addresses these challenges directly, providing the reliability and ballistic superiority required to hit targets that others can only dream of reaching. It’s engineered for those who demand the absolute best from their rifle and their ammunition.

Why Precision Shooters Choose Federal Gold Medal Ammunition

Federal Premium's Gold Medal line has long been synonymous with championship-winning accuracy. This reputation isn't accidental; it's built upon decades of relentless pursuit of perfection in ammunition manufacturing. Every component, every process, is optimized for one purpose: extreme precision.

Engineered for Elite Performance

What makes Federal Gold Medal ammunition a cut above the rest? It begins with a deep understanding of ballistic science and an uncompromising commitment to quality control. Each cartridge is assembled with match-grade components, ensuring maximum consistency from primer ignition to bullet seating. This includes:

• Federal Gold Medal Match Primers: Renowned for their consistent ignition and sensitivity, these primers ensure a uniform start to every shot, minimizing velocity variations.
• High-Quality Brass Cases: Federal's brass is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, promoting consistent internal volume, neck tension, and overall dimensional uniformity, which are critical for accuracy and often preferred by those who reload their spent cases.
• Propellant Selection: Powders are carefully selected and precisely weighed to deliver optimal velocity and pressure consistency, contributing to predictable trajectories and reduced muzzle flash.
• Loading Precision: Federal employs advanced loading techniques that ensure precise bullet seating depth and concentricity, further enhancing accuracy potential.

The Advantage of the .260 Remington Cartridge

Often hailed as a superb long-range cartridge, the .260 Remington offers an exceptional balance of ballistic efficiency, manageable recoil, and terminal performance for target shooting. Derived from the .308 Winchester, the .260 Rem (also known as 6.5-08) takes advantage of high ballistic coefficient (BC) 6.5mm projectiles, allowing them to fly flatter and resist wind drift more effectively than many other calibers.

• Reduced Recoil: Compared to larger magnum cartridges, the .260 Remington delivers a significant ballistic punch with surprisingly mild recoil, making it more comfortable for extended shooting sessions and allowing shooters to spot their own impacts.
• Excellent External Ballistics: The 6.5mm bullets, like the 142 grain Sierra MatchKing, excel at cutting through the air with minimal drag. This translates to less bullet drop and wind deflection at long ranges, simplifying holdovers and wind calls.
• Versatile Platform: While primarily a target cartridge, the .260 Rem has seen success in various shooting disciplines, solidifying its place as a top-tier choice for precision work.

The Sierra MatchKing: A Legacy of Accuracy

At the heart of the Federal Gold Medal GM260M load is the iconic 142 grain Sierra MatchKing bullet. Sierra MatchKing bullets are not designed for expansion on impact; instead, they are engineered for extreme accuracy and consistent flight characteristics. They are the go-to choice for competitive shooters worldwide, and for good reason:

• Hollow Point Boat-Tail (HPBT) Design: The hollow point serves to make the bullet’s base perfectly flat and concentric, which is crucial for stability in flight. The boat-tail design significantly reduces drag, helping the bullet retain velocity and resist wind effects over long distances.
• Superior Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The 142 grain MatchKing boasts an impressive ballistic coefficient, a measure of how aerodynamically efficient a bullet is. A higher BC means the bullet sheds less velocity and energy, maintaining its trajectory and impact energy more effectively downrange. This makes it an ideal choice for engagements at 800, 1000, and even 1200 yards.
• Unrivaled Consistency: Sierra's manufacturing processes for MatchKing bullets are among the most stringent in the industry. This results in incredibly consistent bullet weight, jacket concentricity, and tip uniformity, all of which are paramount for tight groups.

Unwavering Consistency for Competitive Edge

In competitive shooting, consistency isn't just a desirable trait; it's a non-negotiable requirement. Federal Gold Medal ammunition is produced in lots that exhibit minimal variation in velocity and pressure. This translates directly to:

• Predictable Trajectories: When every shot leaves the barrel at virtually the same speed, your ballistic calculations become more reliable, leading to fewer misses due to velocity fluctuations.
• Reduced Vertical Stringing: Inconsistent muzzle velocities are a primary cause of vertical stringing on targets at distance. Federal Gold Medal's consistency minimizes this, allowing for tighter vertical dispersion.
• Enhanced Confidence: Knowing your ammunition will perform the same way, shot after shot, builds confidence, allowing you to focus purely on your shooting mechanics and environmental factors.

Ideal Applications: Where Does This Ammunition Excel?

The Federal Premium Gold Medal .260 Remington 142 gr Sierra MatchKing ammunition is specifically tailored for scenarios where precision is the ultimate goal.

Long-Range Target Shooting and Competition

• F-Class Shooting: This discipline demands the utmost accuracy at very long ranges (often 800, 900, or 1000 yards). The 142 grain MatchKing's high BC and the .260 Remington's efficiency make this a formidable combination for consistent scores.
• Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and NRL Hunter: While these dynamic shooting sports involve varying distances and positions, the fundamental need for precise first-round hits remains. This ammunition provides the flat trajectory and wind-defying properties essential for success.
• Benchrest Shooting: For shooters seeking to achieve the smallest possible groups from a stable platform, the inherent accuracy of Federal Gold Medal factory loads offers an excellent starting point for testing rifle capabilities or even competing directly.

Tactical Training and Marksmanship Development

• Developing Long-Range Skills: For individuals looking to extend their effective shooting range, starting with highly consistent ammunition like the GM260M allows them to isolate and refine their shooting technique without battling ammunition inconsistencies.
• Realistic Match Simulation: Training with the same high-quality ammunition used in competition helps build confidence and ensures that practice translates directly to match-day performance.
• Load Development Reference: For handloaders, this factory load can serve as an excellent benchmark against which to compare their own custom loads, providing a reliable point of reference for velocity, accuracy, and pressure characteristics.

Component Value for Reloaders

While this is premium factory ammunition, the high-quality brass cases produced by Federal are a valuable asset for handloaders. Once fired, these cases can be resized, reprimed, and reloaded multiple times, extending the value of the initial purchase and allowing shooters to custom-tailor loads for even more specialized applications or simply save on future ammunition costs. The consistency of Federal's brass contributes directly to the consistency of subsequent reloads.

Understanding the Ballistics: Data for the Discerning Shooter

Understanding the ballistic performance of your ammunition is crucial for accurate shot placement, especially at extended ranges. The 142 grain Sierra MatchKing in .260 Remington offers an impressive performance envelope.

• Muzzle Velocity (MV): Typically, this load achieves muzzle velocities in the range of 2700-2750 feet per second (fps) from a standard 24-inch barrel, though exact velocities can vary slightly depending on barrel length, atmospheric conditions, and individual rifle characteristics.
• Muzzle Energy (ME): At the muzzle, the energy generated by this load is approximately 2290-2380 foot-pounds (ft-lbs), indicating a powerful and efficient cartridge.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The 142 grain Sierra MatchKing is renowned for its high BC. The G1 BC is approximately 0.595, and the G7 BC is around 0.306. These high values mean the bullet retains velocity exceptionally well and is less susceptible to wind deflection over long distances, making it an excellent choice for ranging targets accurately.

For example, when zeroed at 100 yards, a 142 gr MatchKing .260 Rem load with a 2700 fps muzzle velocity might exhibit:

• 300 yards: Approximately 10-12 inches of drop
• 600 yards: Approximately 80-90 inches of drop
• 1000 yards: Approximately 300-320 inches of drop

These are illustrative figures; actual drop and drift depend heavily on environmental conditions, rifle specifics, and precise muzzle velocity. However, the inherent efficiency of the 142 grain MatchKing dramatically reduces the amount of compensation required compared to less aerodynamically efficient bullets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Match-Grade Ammunition

Here are answers to common questions about selecting and using high-performance match ammunition like the Federal Gold Medal GM260M.

What makes ammunition "match-grade"?

Match-grade ammunition is produced to exceptionally tight tolerances to ensure the highest possible consistency from one round to the next. This includes rigorous quality control on components (primers, powder, cases, and bullets) and precise manufacturing processes that minimize variations in velocity, pressure, and bullet concentricity. The goal is to produce ammunition that delivers repeatable, sub-minute-of-angle (MOA) accuracy.

How does bullet design affect accuracy at long range?

Bullet design, particularly the shape of the bullet's nose and tail, profoundly impacts its aerodynamic efficiency. A boat-tail design, like that found on the Sierra MatchKing, reduces drag and turbulence at the rear of the bullet, leading to a higher ballistic coefficient and more stable flight. The consistency of the bullet's manufacturing—its weight, jacket thickness, and overall concentricity—also directly influences how predictably it flies.

Why is the .260 Remington a good long-range cartridge?

The .260 Remington excels at long range due to its ability to launch high ballistic coefficient 6.5mm bullets at moderate velocities, resulting in less recoil than larger calibers while still providing excellent resistance to wind and less bullet drop than many common hunting cartridges. Its efficiency makes it a joy to shoot for extended periods, and its inherent accuracy potential is well-proven in competition.

Is Federal Gold Medal worth the investment for recreational shooting?

While Federal Gold Medal ammunition is an investment, many shooters find the superior accuracy and consistency well worth the cost, even for recreational shooting. It allows them to eliminate ammunition as a variable when diagnosing accuracy issues, helps them to push their personal bests, and provides a much more satisfying shooting experience compared to bulk ammunition. For those looking to maximize their rifle's potential, it's an invaluable tool.

Where can I buy Federal Gold Medal .260 Rem 142gr Sierra MatchKing ammunition?

Federal Premium Gold Medal ammunition, including the highly sought-after .260 Remington 142 gr Sierra MatchKing (GM260M), is widely available from reputable firearms retailers. Shooters can consistently find this precise and reliable ammunition at leading online stores like DEGuns, ensuring they have access to top-tier performance for their competitive and precision shooting needs.

The Federal Premium Commitment to Excellence

Federal Premium Ammunition has been a cornerstone of the shooting sports community for over 90 years. Their commitment to innovation, quality, and performance is evident across their entire product line, but it truly shines in their Gold Medal series. Every box of Gold Medal ammunition reflects decades of expertise, rigorous testing, and a passion for helping shooters achieve their best. From their advanced manufacturing facilities to their exacting quality control standards, Federal ensures that when you load a Gold Medal cartridge, you are loading confidence.

Conclusion: Your Path to Enhanced Precision

The Federal Premium Gold Medal .260 Remington 142 gr Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat-Tail (GM260M) is more than just ammunition; it's a meticulously engineered precision tool. It solves the critical problem of inconsistent performance, offering competitive shooters and long-range enthusiasts a reliable path to tighter groups and successful hits at extreme distances. With its superior components, iconic Sierra MatchKing bullet, and Federal's unwavering dedication to quality, this ammunition is your trusted partner in the pursuit of ultimate accuracy. Whether you're aiming for the podium or simply pushing the boundaries of your own marksmanship, this ammunition provides the consistency and ballistic advantage you need to excel.

Product Specifications & Ballistics

Feature	Detail
Manufacturer	Federal Premium
Product Line	Gold Medal
Caliber	.260 Remington (260 Rem)
Bullet Weight	142 grain (gr)
Bullet Type	Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat-Tail (HPBT)
SKU/Part No.	GM260M
UPC	029465063001
Packaging	20 Rounds per Box / 10 Boxes per Case (200 rounds per case)

Ballistic Data (Approximate)	Value
Muzzle Velocity	~2700 fps (feet per second)
Muzzle Energy	~2290 ft-lbs (foot-pounds)
Ballistic Coefficient	G1: ~0.595 / G7: ~0.306 (Sierra MatchKing)
Ideal Use	Long-Range Target Shooting, Competition, PRS