Things have changed for me also. I sold the Ruger Compact in 260 and replaced it with a Tikka T3 Lite in Stainless. Had to get a 308 and have the barrel replaced, but I have what I want now and I really like it. And Brother...will it shoot.
As for bullets, I have decided - after use of 100 gr bullets and 120 gr bullets - that I do believe that the 120 grainer is more effective on deer. But, I have about a zillion of the 100 grainers and will continue to shoot them till I run out. Somebody in this chat, I think, mentioned that the caliber wasn't a good varmint caliber. Not true. I was having problems putting down medium sized pigs with my 220, which is why I ramped up to the 260. And varmint use is originally why I went to the 100 grain bullet. Works great on pigs and coyotes and I just shot a real nice buck that traveled about 75 feet from where I hit him.
I hate myself for leaving my great old Sako 270 and the Ruger 220 in the gun safe and always taking the 260 to the woods, but I just like that Tikka 260 that much. Super accurate and now I have a Vortex Viper 4-16x50 PST ffp on it. I must be getting a rep among the woodland varmints. Had a pack of coyotes howling on the other side of the fence this evening, but not one of them crossed the darn fence. The word is out.
