advice for bullet choice in .260 please

[AZ Dan]

Just got into handloading and love everything about it.  I was hoping to get some help from people who have been there done that.  I will be using the 260 model seven for deer (under 250 yards) in ND, coyotes in AZ, and alot of plinking around.  Should I use the same round for everything so I can keep it simple?  I was thinking of 120gr core-lok, hornady 129 sp, 129sst, or 120 nosler balistic tip.  Or should I do something like a 125gr partition for deer and a 95gr v-max for everything else?  I think the twist rate is 1 in 9.  Thanks for any advice.  AZ Dan.

[Propdoc03]

Hi Dan
For what its worth I had just moved to the 129grain SST's for my SS Model Seven. I had been using the 140grain Hornady Spire points mainly because they just shot so well out of my rifle and it was primarily for close quarter pig hunting. I had a chance to harvest a hog with the 140's and they worked quite well. Just this season I decided to go with the SST's. I read a few articles on them and to me they sounded perfect for the little .260 and my model Seven. My intentions are just about exactly the same as yours as I am now going to be using if for Deer hunting and am seriously thinking about trying to get into Coyote calling. I chose the SST over the 120 Ballistic Tip as it had a bit more weight and sounded like it was designed to penetrate better. I never felt that my little 260's velocity and my hunting applications never warranted the Partition, just my opinion.

PD

[AZ Dan]

Hi Propdoc.

I was also interested in the 129 sst.  If it's tougher than the 120 balistic tip, the sst seems ideal.  The B.C. is awesome.  Just wondering if you've tried to load lighter bullets like 85 or 95 grainers.  If you did, could your 260 stabilize the smaller bullets?
Thanks.  AZ Dan.