260 rem. ammo. Where can I find some variety?

[Flyrodder]

I have a Model 700 Mountain Rifle in 260, all the ammo I can find in a reasonable driving distance is the 140 gr. Core Lokts.  I would like to get some very light bullets for varmints and some that are about 100-120gr. for higher velocity deer rounds.  If you could point out some good online sources I would surely appreciate it.  Anyone know why Remington chose those loooooong 140's for this caliber?


           Thanks!!!

[rich5674]

Check out Natchez, Remington makes 120s and one other company loads 260, I think speer. I've only handloaded. If you dont like your choice you might even try a Lee loader.

[beemanbeme]

I THINK Federal loads a 100gr.  The reason they load the 140 core lokt is because they kill deer like the Hammer of Thor. 
I also reload and choose the 140 core lokt over the higher priced spreads because it is so sudden.

[Graybeard]

Nosler probably makes the widest selection of ammo for it of any manufacturer. Of course it all uses Nosler bullets but then that's not a bad thing at all. It's not cheap but it is mighty fine ammo.

[loaded4bear]

Try here for "custom" loads from Conley Precision Cartridge (CPC). They produce excellent handcrafted ammo at a reasonable price. Eighteen different loads for the .260 ranging from 85 gr to 140 gr.

http://www.cpcartridge.com/260remP.htm

[Slamfire]

At one time, Hornady loaded their excellent 129 grain bullet, I don't know if that's still true. My rifles think it's the best bullet every put through them, but that's handloads.

[hillbill]

amen beeman! if the 260 shoots anything like the 6.5x55 with the 140 i dont know why yu would want anything else.

[Cougarz]

To bad no one loads 160 grainers.  Then it would do it all!

[TLARbb]

I just ran across this thread.  I, too, have a .260 REM in a 700 VLS no less.  The variety of factory ammunition for it is just barely adequate.  But, that does not keep the .260 from being a good cartridge.  Its main problem is it really did not fill a niche that needed to be filled.  And, it is late on the scene at that.  The 6.5X55mm Swiss is ballistically and performance wise its twin.  The Swiss has a "nostalga" following.  Unfortunately, the .260 does not.

I am not trying to bad mouth this cartridge at all, just to point out that has not caught the public's imagination and not many guns are being chambered for it now.  Kind of like the 6mm Remington in a way; it too is dying out because it lost ground to the .243 Win and just has not been able to overcome the lead.  Remington seems to be content to let it die.  Hope that doesn't happen to the .260.  At least you can make cases for it from .308 win or 7mm-08 if you have to. 

Your best bet for variety in this cartridge is to handload for it.

EJ

[Slamfire]

When Ken Water's was workin' on it, there was only the .243 and .308, he didn't have the luxury of neckin' 7mm-08 cases down to form his .263 Express. So he necked up the .243s. Now with standardization, just score a couple hundred cases, that'll last you a lifetime. 

[TLARbb]

You are right.  I thought about adding that in, but somehow left it out.  Using 243 brass is an option as well.  Still and all, handloading is the real answer to variety in .260 Rem.  Nothing wrong with the factory offerings as far as they go, but .260 is sometimes hard to find on the shelves in more than one load at a store.

EJ

[Lone Star]

Current offerings in .260 Remington:
Remington
120 AccuTip
140 PSP
140 UltraBond

Federal
120 BTip
140 BTSP

Nolser
100 BTip
100 Part
120 BTip
125 Part
140 Part


.

[nomosendero]

Current offerings in .260 Remington:
Remington
120 AccuTip
140 PSP
140 UltraBond

Federal
120 BTip
140 BTSP

Nolser
100 BTip
100 Part
120 BTip
125 Part
140 Part


.

Then of course the Conley options as stated above, which are many.

I thought the cartridge was in trouble, but not as sure now. Some of the long range shooters have embraced the round & of course
they are a minority, but they are volume shooters & shoot many times more ammo than the average shooter, which is obvious by the amount of match bullets sold. The 260 & 308 are very comparable in ballistics until 500 yards or so, after that the 260 starts pulling
away with bullets like the 140A-Max & beat the 308 bad for targets from 800-1,000 yards. Many are switching over from 308 to 260
& now some of this is carring over to hunters as well. DPMS has just came out with their AR in 260 for this reason.

A very good sign is that Black Hills is currently developing a Match load in the round & it is supposed to be out soon. A select few are getting it for testing now. The Guns Annual has a good article on the 260 for a tactical/sporting round & it is well written.

[kenjs1]

TLARbb - I must be nuts because 2 of my 3 deer rifles are a 6mm and a 260 and as yet I don't handload.  I am looking for a 222 which proves I am stupid becasue where can you find ammo for that combination?  After working on my 260, an A-bolt, I got my only ever 1 shot 3 hole 100 yard group using 120 accutips.  I didn't want to use them on deer so I tried Federal's 140 Sierra gameking btsp.  They shoot very very well.  I took a deer (finally) with it this year at about 130 yards.  Several deer fled at the shot and I started to track one.  I walked to the spot he was standing and looked down, it was already dead.  I never saw it after pulling the trigger it went down so fast.  Double lung broadside with completee pass through. Say what you want but those gamekings, in less than hyper speeds (or slightly longer distances which amounts to same), in heavy for caliber bullets are pretty awesome.  Youv'e seen the list of what ammo is out there and I have tried them all.  The two I mentioned have been the best for accuracy.  Usually I get mine on-line.

[safetysheriff]

speer recommends their 140 gr' bullet for large deer.  its ballistic coefficient(bc) is just under .500!  it may not start out with the greatest muzzle velocity; but with a bc' like that it hangs onto the velocity it does have!   no wonder it works on deer.

i'd personally agree with "slamfire" who likes the 129 gr' hornady, however.   that would be my hands-down choice as the first bullet i'd try in that caliber for deer of any size.    (hornady spire points are great on deer from what i've seen!)    sierra game kings do have relatively thin jackets and they do make excellent deer bullets in many calibers under that moniker. 

i'd look for loaded ammo' from our 'GBO' sponsors; and then i'd learn to handload and buy those items from our sponsors.

the .260 is a great long-range cartridge.........and handloading will help you realize more of its potential in YOUR rifle.   

take care,

ss'

[nomosendero]

Funny you mentioned the 129 Hornady, my Wife harvested a Doe this morning with that bullet out of the ballistically simular 6.5X55.
I had to go see a customer this morning, she called me from her cell phone whispering that she killed a Doe & she would hunt awhile
longer as she still has a Buck tag. She retreived the cart out of the truck, field dressed the Deer,carted it to the truck & somehow got
it into the bed, slid it up from the cart I suppose. She cranked it up on our rack in the back yard, quartered it & iced it down in a cooler. When I got home this evening, she had a big supper waiting. HECK OF A WOMAN!!! I wonder if any other surprise may show itself this evening!!!!! 

[safetysheriff]

i've heard that a deaf and dumb woman who owns a liquor store would be the ultimate wife!   


i now think that was wrong.   

you've found yourself one heck of a good girl!   

blessings upon you,

ss'