What bullet for 260 Rem for white tail deer

[Bob the Cynic]

Given similar accuracy, which of these bullets would you choose for whitetail deer hunting?  Range will be 100 yards or less and velocity will range between 2900 fps (muzzle) and 2520 fps (100 yards) Rifle is a Remington Model Seven in .260 Remington.  
 
125 grain Nosler Partition  
140 grain Nosler Partition  
140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw  
140 grain Core-Lokt Ultra  
140 grain Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point
 
Thank you for your feedback

[Buffalogun]

Bob,

You may have missed one of the best bullets for std velocity .264 cartridges. The Hornady 129g SP is one fine bullet for the .260 Rem. or my favorite, the 6.5x55. It will be significantly less expensive than the bullets you listed, too!

With 120-129g bullets, your target velocity might be reached, but unless I'm missing something here, you may find it difficult to reach 2,900 fps. with 140g bullets, out of the short barrel of the M7 Rem.

Good caliber!

Buffalogun

[Graybeard]

You are clearly dreaming if you think you're going to reach 2900 fps from that rifle with any of those bullets at anywhere close to safe pressures. Ain't gonna happen.

[jackfish]

NOSLER 125 GRAIN PARTITION Accurate Powders 24" barrel
Start/Maximum
Powder Charge Velocity Pressure (PSI)
4064 34.6 2430/4064 38.5 2762 59,000
2700 37.8 2439/2700 42.0 2772 56,700
4350 40.5 2584/4350 45.0 2937 60,000
3100 43.2 2563/3100 48.0 2913 58,700

[huntsman]

I have to agree with GB on the velocity. Out of the model 7's 18.5" barrel, the muzzle velocity even with the 125 grain is going to max out in the 2600 fps neighborhood, and with the 140 grain more like the 2400 fps range.

But, to your original question, I would like the 140 corelokt out of your choices because it will give you great results and cost a lot less than all of the others. Even at 2300 fps muzzle velocity, it would be deadly on whitetails inside 150 yards. I would stay away from the TBBC unless you just happen to enjoy swabbing extra muck out of your barrel at every cleaning (moly-coated bullets).

I will second BGs recommendation of the 129 grain Hornady bullet, except I prefer the interlock rather than the soft point (more likely to ensure an exit wound and blood trail, IMO). Accurate, deadly bullet; my favorite for whitetails in this caliber.

[Bob the Cynic]

Hi all,
 
I was just using the velocity info from factory loads for comparison sake.  With the short barrel on the model 7 I'm well aware that actual velocity will be lower.  The 2900 figure is what Nosler is claiming for their custom loads with the 125 g PT.
 
Thanks all for the feedback so far.  I'm going to try and make it to the range today so I will report back on how some of these rounds shoot.

[onesonek]

Yep,,,in anycase (no pun intended) a 125 gr NP will do the trick out too 200 yds, even if started at 25-2600 fps.
Dave

[flintlock]

Bob...I have a buddy that bought a .260 three years ago...it shot both the Remington Priemier Partitions and ballistic tip factory loads very well...He killed deer with both, both worked....It just won't group any factory 140gr loads....This year he has tried the Remington Accutips....they don't group well at all....He actually got into reloading last year, specifically for this gun...He is reloading 125gr Partitions...has adjusted bullet to about .006 off lands...is neck sizing his used brass...and has worked up loads with IMR 4064 and Reloader 19...I can't recall his powder charge...I do remember he has it loaded pretty stiff...I shot a  one inch 5 shot group
last night with his gun...We do have to let this gun cool between every 2 shots...it is real sensitive to heat....I would start with the 125gr Partitions...
Good luck...flintlock
btw...his is satinless/black stock model...I believe it has a 20 inch barrel

[Bob the Cynic]

Hi all,
 
Thanks again for all the feedback.
 
I spent a little time at the range this afternoon and here is what I found out.  I already knew the Core-Lokt 140g shot well so today I shot the 125g Nosler PT and the 140g TBBCs.
 
The Bear Claws stunk, wouldn't group at all.  The PTs shot pretty well.  They  grouped at just over 1.5" for three shots.  So I'm definitely leaning toward the PTs but I'll play around a little more and see what works.

[arky65]

 I'm new to your forum but been into the .260 since it was 6.5/08 wildcat. you  will be best served with bullets up to 129 grains. american gun manufacturer use 1:9 barrels and they don't quite cut it with the heavier bullets. I have tried bullets all the way up to 160 grains. Unless you have a custom barrel stick with the 120-129 grain bullets. They will give you the best m/v&m/e vs accuracy, for deer hunting applications

arky65

[Bob the Cynic]

Finally picked up some Cor-lokt Ultra and made it to the range today.  So the final report is:  Both the PT and the CLU shot about 1.5", the TBBCs stunk up the joint, the regular old Cor-lokts shot pretty well but far and away the best accuracy came from 120g Nosler Ballistic Tips  :cry:  Too bad I hate the BTs.
 
So it looks like I'll be shooting the PTs next month when deer season starts.  Thanks again for all the advice.

[Lawdog]

Bob the Cynic,

My wife is using the Barnes 130 gr. TSX in her 6.5mm Swede with great results this year on Mule and Blacktail deer.  Accuracy is much better than the older XLC bullets.  Lawdog
 

[Buckeye]

I like a 6.5X55 with 160 Hornaday bullets myself.    

[riddleofsteel]

I am also a fan of the fine 129 grain Hornady SP. I shoot it from a 6.5-.284 Model Seven with a 20" custom barrel. My best load to date pushes the 129 grain to 2985 FPS with H4831 and a Bench Rest primer. Accuracy is always less than MOA if I do my part. Keep in mind the 6.5-.284 is closer to the 6.5-06 than the 6.5-08(.260 Rem) in capacity. I do not see how you could get 2900 FPS from a .260 Rem with a 129 grain bullet unless the barrel is a lot longer than mine.

[leverfan]

A couple of years ago, I tested a 24" barrelled 260 with all available factory loads and a bunch of handloads.  All loads were tested for expansion, accuracy, velocity, and penetration in saturated newsprint.  My favorite all-around bullets were the 125 grain Nosler Partition, and the 129 grain Hornady.  The gun also handled bullets from 85 to 160 grains very well.

The one bullet that performed very poorly was the Nosler 140 grain Partition.  At long range, it lacked the velocity to open reliably.  In this test, long range was only about 200 yards.  The tips of the bullets didn't expand evenly, causing the bullets to tumble and penetrate backwards.  The "forward" portions stopped, and the rear cores exited the jackets and travelled on a short distance, even showing some expansion.  This happened every time at long range.  Sure, it would have killed a deer, but other bullets performed far better.  

It may have been a bad batch of bullets, and the 140 grainers performed well at short range, but I think that 140 grain Nosler Partitions are best reserved for larger cased 6.5mm rounds.  The 6.5mm-06 class and larger would be fine.