Hunting & Fishing .260 for elk and mule deer what bullet?

[Cnewhouse48]

I’ve been drawn for mule deer and invited on an elk hunt in October this year and am starting to get some loads developed. I’ll be taking my .308 and .260. The mule deer shots have been past 400 yards in the past on this property and the elk are usually killed inside 200 yards.

So what bullet would you choose?
I’m looking at:
140gr partions
140 VLD hunter
140 accubonds
140 eldx

Any one have first hand experience using 260 for elk? I’ve seen a few post here about using 260/6.5creed for elk so I know some of y’all have.

 

[bullseye13]

All you listed are good choices. I would add the barnes ttsx out to 400yds to your list. Shoot what's most accurate.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

All you listed are good choices. I would add the barnes ttsx out to 400yds to your list. Shoot what's most accurate.

I’m trying to narrow down to what people have used so I don’t have to buy one of each. Thanks for the seggustion.

 

[bullseye13]

If you plan on having the guns for awhile it would be worth it to know what your gun shoots best and stick with that ammo. Advice that's worth what you paid for it.?

 

[mudpig]

I like the Hornady GMX. They are very accurate and will blow clean thru an elk.

 

[L. Perry]

I have used the 140 gr Berger Hybred hunter in my 6.5x284 on quite a few elk and they work very well.

 

[nathan.s.]

If you plan on having the guns for awhile it would be worth it to know what your gun shoots best and stick with that ammo. Advice that's worth what you paid for it.?

I'll second this.

i've taken several elk and mule deer with a lot of 6.5's (Creed, 284, PRC, SAUM) going anywhere from 2900 - 3150 with VLDs, Hybrids, VLD Hunting, 140/7 ELDM, and 143 EDL-X.

Out of those, I'd look at the 140 & 147 ELDM and 140 Hybrid. But bottom line is that at those distances, most any bullet will work. Good luck!

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I just picked up a Ruger American predator in 260 and I currently load 260 for my ar10.

My load is 140gr BTHP over some 4350 and I’ve killed deer great out to 350 yards bullets have performed well but I want some extra assurance that my bullet won’t fail on heavy game like elk.

Why do you recommend the eld m over the eld x or other more bonded bullets?

 

[Liberator52]

140 Hornady SP interlock always gets the job done well for me. Shoots well in all my 260s. A friend uses the SSTs and it works well for him.

 

[daylate]

All you listed are good choices. I would add the barnes ttsx out to 400yds to your list. Shoot what's most accurate.

Second the Barnes....and they have been very accurate for me ....

 

[nathan.s.]

I just picked up a Ruger American predator in 260 and I currently load 260 for my ar10.

My load is 140gr BTHP over some 4350 and I’ve killed deer great out to 350 yards bullets have performed well but I want some extra assurance that my bullet won’t fail on heavy game like elk.

Why do you recommend the eld m over the eld x or other more bonded bullets?

I've found that the ELD-X and even the "hunting" line of VLD's often don't hold together well at closer shots where the bullet is still moving fast.

The ELDMs have preformed well at all distances out to 750, which this bullet was recovered from a mature bull.

 

[Munchchop]

.260 Rem, 120 or 130 TTSX bullets should do for hunting elks.

 

[stello1001]

ELD-X has a history of being very unpredictable. Some have good results and some do not. This is a pic of my brothers kill with an ELD-X, granted, it's not a 140. It was taken with a 145 grain .277 cal but still ELD-X, I would not like those results on something I will eat.

 

[FCS]

Swift Scirocco
Barnes TSX / TTSX
Accobond
Scenar

Shoot the bullet your rifle likes best, the bullet that can be put where you want, on demand, every time at the longest distance you will be taking a shot on animal.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I have some eldm I’ll start loading up today and test I’ll pick up a few boxes of other bullets to see what I can come up with.

I’ve killed a lot of hogs and deer with eldm out of a Grendel and they worked well for them. Just wasn’t sure on elk.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

Was that slug from a 260 or creed what velocity and distance?

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I’ll vote for the 139 Scenar or the 130 VLD hunting.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

@psinclair has a lot of dead critter pics with a 260....

 

[nathan.s.]

Was that slug from a 260 or creed what velocity and distance?

That was a 147 ELDM at 750 yards out of a SAUM running at 3080. Shot was right behind the shoulder and was recovered pushing the offside hide. He went about 20 yards and piled up.

 

[WB300]

For Elk inside 200 yards, I'd choose .308 factory loaded Barnes 150 grain TTSX. Even if your rifle doesn't like them (ie 2.5 moa), it wont matter on an animal that big. I like the ability to drive through a shoulder to the vitals if it's the difference between a harvest or tag soup.

I wont comment on the 260 since I've never owned a .264/6.5.

Good luck and keep the thread updated with pics and the results of your hunt.

 

[45.308]

Don't own a 260 but my bullet of choice for hunting is Partition. May not fly like some of the new gens but they never fail.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

First group after zero. 3 shots 140gr eldm good group but velocity sucked only 2550-2560. Second group looks decent with 3 shots in a clover leaf and two out side the group not sure if it was the load/gun or me.

I shot about 4-5 loads and didn’t find anything I’m crazy about but I learned with this rifle I can really up the powder charge compared to my other 260.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I plan on ordering some partions and Barnes soon.

 

[Jack's Dad]

.260 Rem, 120 or 130 TTSX bullets should do for hunting elks.

I've killed several elk with a 6.5 Grendel and these bullets. They mushroom nicely and stay together so you don't end up eating lead. The BC is not the best but they are effective.

 

[SkyScrapin]

136g Scenar-L works great. Bang flop.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I've killed several elk with a 6.5 Grendel and these bullets. They mushroom nicely and stay together so you don't end up eating lead. The BC is not the best but they are effective.

What distance have you killed elk at with the Grendel? I was considering taking mine.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Less than 150 yards. Lung shots. One ran 75 yards. Others just fell over.

 

[stello1001]

The HPBT I've used by hornady has done some serious damage from what I've seen with my experiences. My two bucks from last season both had lots of internal damage which is critical to stopping an animal dead in its tracks. I will however mention that one of my bucks, despite its massive bleeding and massive damage, managed to travel about 85 yards in thick south Texas brush. The other one fell down to a few kicks and died right away.


Deer #1

Deer #2

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I’ve had the same results on white tail and hogs I won’t stop shooting that bullet I’m just not 100% confident in shooting elk with it, unless some one has first off experience.

Nice deer btw.

 

[rope]

127 LRX and 139 Scenars shoot great and kill like Thor’s hammer. Use them in 2@ 260’s and SUAM.

 

[rope]

I just got the phone call from the taxidermist my 2015 moose is ready. This moose charged and was shot at 5 yards and closing fast. 6.5 SAUM with 127 LRX, thankfully I had the barrel pointed at the right spot as he ran at the muzzle.

 

[gkempf]

Shot a dandy mule in Idaho last year with my .260. Was using a 140gr. A-Max at 2760fps. Shot was broadside at 435. DRT. Was very pleased with the bullets performance.

 

[isofahunter]

I am going to try the swift AFrame in my 260 next time. For elk I used AFrames, Speer Hot core, Partition, trophy bond and will be shooting a TLR this fall.