Making the most of my .260

Telgriff · October 8, 2010, 02:33 AM

I'm looking at other projectile weights I can use for my .260. I am using 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips as the 'usual' round at the moment, but I am wondering if I can extend my rifles hunting ability by using it for smaller animals such as foxes (specifically because I worry about the .22lr only causing wounding and not killing the fox quickly)

120gr is obviously going to be too much for smaller animals so I am wondering what are some possibilities. I know the .260 is a fair bit over gun for smaller stuff, but if the result is pink mist, then that's fine.

I saw that Sierra has 85 and 100gr Soft Points, classed as 'Varmiter' are there any others that would be better? Also, anyone know if the 85grainers would be too light to stabilize in a 1in9 barrel twist?

GeauxTide · October 8, 2010, 11:18 AM

9" inch twist is fine for 87-100s. Faster twist is for 140s; however, my 9" 6.5-06 shoots 140 Hornadys just fine. I've also stuck with 120s in my 260 as I picked up 1000 Rem CoreLokts to use for the small stuff. Nosler does make a 100gr BT, also. If you've got a 22" barrel, you can really push them.

Telgriff · October 8, 2010, 08:35 PM

Yep, 22" barrel on mine.

So you said you are sticking with 120gr on the .260, did you mean you use the 120's on small stuff? Would be more concerned about over penetration (and thus fly out the otherside), with 120's on smaller animals.

Buzzcook · October 9, 2010, 01:32 PM

85gr is the smallest I've seen for the .260.
Gotta say that you'll get "over penetration" on small game with anything you use. You'd have to slow the bullet way down for it not to through a fox.

GeauxTide · October 9, 2010, 08:13 PM

Yep, your gonna splatter the small stuff up to dogs and yotes regardless of the weight. I just got the 120 Rems last year because they were ridiculously priced. I'm having Savage put togther a Weather Warror SS LH in 260, so I'm going to experiment with the 100gr NBT.

barthmonster · October 10, 2010, 06:00 AM

I'm currently doing 'reduced' or 'managed-recoil' handloads using both H4895 and Blue-dot, what about slowing it down with the 85's ??

You could even sight-in with regular ammo for 200 yards and find a load that sights in with 85's at a slow 100 or say 75...

Food for thought from an addicted hand-loader...

October 8, 2010, 02:33 AM	#1
Telgriff Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2008 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 261	Making the most of my .260 I'm looking at other projectile weights I can use for my .260. I am using 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips as the 'usual' round at the moment, but I am wondering if I can extend my rifles hunting ability by using it for smaller animals such as foxes (specifically because I worry about the .22lr only causing wounding and not killing the fox quickly) 120gr is obviously going to be too much for smaller animals so I am wondering what are some possibilities. I know the .260 is a fair bit over gun for smaller stuff, but if the result is pink mist, then that's fine. I saw that Sierra has 85 and 100gr Soft Points, classed as 'Varmiter' are there any others that would be better? Also, anyone know if the 85grainers would be too light to stabilize in a 1in9 barrel twist?

October 8, 2010, 11:18 AM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	9" inch twist is fine for 87-100s. Faster twist is for 140s; however, my 9" 6.5-06 shoots 140 Hornadys just fine. I've also stuck with 120s in my 260 as I picked up 1000 Rem CoreLokts to use for the small stuff. Nosler does make a 100gr BT, also. If you've got a 22" barrel, you can really push them.

October 8, 2010, 08:35 PM	#3
Telgriff Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2008 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 261	Yep, 22" barrel on mine. So you said you are sticking with 120gr on the .260, did you mean you use the 120's on small stuff? Would be more concerned about over penetration (and thus fly out the otherside), with 120's on smaller animals.

October 9, 2010, 01:32 PM	#4
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	85gr is the smallest I've seen for the .260. Gotta say that you'll get "over penetration" on small game with anything you use. You'd have to slow the bullet way down for it not to through a fox.

October 9, 2010, 08:13 PM	#5
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Yep, your gonna splatter the small stuff up to dogs and yotes regardless of the weight. I just got the 120 Rems last year because they were ridiculously priced. I'm having Savage put togther a Weather Warror SS LH in 260, so I'm going to experiment with the 100gr NBT.

October 10, 2010, 06:00 AM	#6
barthmonster Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 15	I'm currently doing 'reduced' or 'managed-recoil' handloads using both H4895 and Blue-dot, what about slowing it down with the 85's ?? You could even sight-in with regular ammo for 200 yards and find a load that sights in with 85's at a slow 100 or say 75... Food for thought from an addicted hand-loader...