Rem 260 Elk load

[260 Rooster]

Ok, Time to get my feet wet, this is my first on the Nosler forum. :?
I'm getting some option loads worked up for my old 260 Rem 700 BDL, with a fresh 26 " Brox barrel, 1:8 about 125 rounds from new condition, reworked original action, trigger and pillar block installed. Overall great shooting rifle so far.
What I'm going to ask is opinions on what Nosler bullets is best suited for my first Elk cow hunt in NM this November. I have had great luck with Nosler, Hornady and Lapua on paper with a few coyotes in between.

My current options for now are; 120 Gr. Ballistic tip, 129 AccuBond LR, and the new 142 Gr AccuBond LR. I've been told that most my opportunities will be in open range 150 to 325 yards as a average shot. Thank you for your time!

 

[DrMike]

First off, welcome aboard. Always glad to see another shooter joining in the fun. My grandson is carrying a 260 Rem for hunting moose and elk this fall. His load launches a 140 grain A-Frame, which will work very well on elk out to ~200 yards when the opportunity is provided. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either of the ABLR bullets, though I tend toward heavier for calibre. Either will provide the integrity required to ensure the bullet reaches the vitals when placed where it belongs. Best of luck on your hunt this fall. I'm sure we'll all enjoy joining you vicariously on this hunt.

 

[Blkram]

Either of your two ABLR choices should work just fine, with correct shot placement on cow elk at the distances mentioned. But I would recommend the heavier bullet. The 130 AB and 140 NP would also be fine choices, as would the 140 A-Frame, 140 SGK.

Just stay behind that heavy shoulder bone. A wounded elk with a broken shoulder can cover an unbelievable amount of ground in a short hurry. Hunters with more experience than I will tell you that it takes a heavy 338 caliber bullet at magnum velocities to consistently penetrate that heavy shoulder bone, and make it to the vitals for a killing shot.

Best of luck on your hunt!

 

[sask boy]

I have been fortunate enough to shoot a number of Elk using my 270win and I have used either the Nosler Partition and in recent years the Nosler AccuBond in the 130gr. as blkram has stated shot placement is key and in the boiler-room is your best bet !
Also welcome to the forum I am sure you are going to enjoy this site as the members very knowledgeable & a lot of fun!!
PS. You could make a number of us quite happy by looking at obtaining a 35 Whelen, then most of your problems would be solved :mrgreen:!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Bonz]

Given you state up front what your bullet options are, I take that to mean other bullet options are not available for the load development for this hunt.

Go with the 142 AB LR and lay that long, aerodynamic bullet out there into the wind with confidence! A cow elk can and does run 400-500 lbs, there is no replacement for displacement and sectional density combined with weight retention for larger animals.

With that said I throw in a good-hearted vote for the 35 Whelen. I shoot a 35 Whelen Ackley Improved for elk and it is a decisive tool!

 

[Dwh7271]

I know you didn't mention it but my 260 AI shoots the 140 AB lights out. RL17 is the powder for that load.
I go with the others on heavy for caliber bullets, I would think that 142 ABLR would be the ticket.

 

[345 kv]

I have not shot an elk with a 260 but think it will work. The 140 gr AB has worked well for me on deer and antelope with my 260 and 6.5x284. Complete pass through with lots internal damage. I use H4831 in the 260 with the 140 AB. The 142 gr ABLR shoots well in my 6.5x284 but have only punched paper with it so far. I would go with the 142 gr ABLR

 

[preacher]

I'd also take the 142gr...I imagine a properly loaded 260 would be every bit as good as the 6.5x55 Swede and look what those guys do with them...moose, even bear! have a ball dude. When you get back, and you are itching for a new project...get a 35 Whelen Ackley Improved! ha

 

[JD338]

Welcome to the forum.
Don't overlook the 140 gr PT.

JD338

 

[Wis65x55]

I will start out by stating that I have no experience elk hunting. When you use any 6.5mm bullet for elk hunting, you need the highest sectional density bullet that you can find. I would eliminate any 6.5mm bullet from consideration weighing less than 130gr. As for me, I would choose the 140gr pt over the AccuBond bullet. The one concern that I would have in regards to the ABLR bullets overall length is long enough that that it will restrict powder capacity in a 260 Remington.
Keith

 

[260 Rooster]

First and foremost, Thank each and everyone for the welcome and great feed back!

I'm going to be playing on paper for a short with the 142 gr. and I have some great verities of what is working in powders. I'm very strict about vitals placement as a seasoned bow hunter that's a big 10-4. 35 Whelen, I remember from many years ago and might know were one is still parked in his cabinet. Thanks again

 

[SJB358]

The 125 PT is an excellent bullet as well, along with the 130/140 ABs and the old 140 PT. All of them along with the ABLRs will work for elk if the shots run true. I think the heavier PTs and ABs give you a better chance of smashing off side leg bones and exiting though. Unless your shooting really long I'd skip the ABLRs and run the plain old AB. They have looked great on near full muzzle velocity out to over 500 yard elk recoveries.

 

[Teknys]

My son killed a 6pt bull with 130gn Scirroco. Tight behind shoulder and broke the off shoulder. Bull was down right there. Need a kill shot in neck.

Like others have said already - Heavy bullet - stay off that shoulder bone - Boiler Room shot and you will have an elk.

Elk are just UNFORGIVING to a bad shot no matter the caliber. They die like any other with a good shot. With the larger / heavier properly constructed bullet - bones break and you will get thru the shoulder to where it matters.

 

[Bonz]

What was the internal damage from the first shot, from what sounds like a great double-lunger and maybe heart as well. Interesting how the bull went down right there with a shot behind the near shoulder and broke the off-shoulder, to need a finisher in the neck.

 

[SJB358]

You are correct. I've seen them take 210 PTs from a 338, 180 PTs from 300 mags and a few other combo and still live longer than I would have ever thought. The Whelen with the 225 TSX was sorta slow on a rib shot but still dead nonetheless.

 

[Wincheringen]

125 or 140 Partition. I'd probably lean towards the 125 myself. The 120 grain E Tip also looks like a good bullet.

 

[Blkram]

What was the internal damage from the first shot, from what sounds like a great double-lunger and maybe heart as well. Interesting how the bull went down right there with a shot behind the near shoulder and broke the off-shoulder, to need a finisher in the neck.

Elk are extremely tenacious of life, and it is amazing to see what they can take and keep on moving; where any other animal would have succumbed to their wounds immediately. But just like people, every animal also has their own character and will fight to survive longer than others of the same species.

But in my experience with elk (22 of my own , plus guiding or assisting others on another half dozen), bullet placement is the key! And I've seen shots that appeared to be in the right place have little to no immediate effect on the elk, especially those that are worked up and full of adrenalin when in the rut and called in, or when spooked and on high alert.

 

[PJGunner]

I go along with the others, use a heavy for caliber bullet. Those who said get a .35 Whelen ain't kidding. That cartridge just flat out hammers elk. I do a cow elk hunt in New Mexico up at Raton. I hunt on Ted Turner's Vermejo Park ranch. Usually hunt late December, early January. I've taken five cow elk so far, four with the Whelen and one with a 30-06. I just might try with a 7x57 this year due to shoulder problems. Just have to wait and see what works out. Probably go with a 150 gr. Partition.
I believe if I was using a 6.5 anything, I'd give a 140 gr. Partition a hard look.
Good luck on your hunt.
Paul B.

 

[salmonchaser]

Welcome to the forum. Several years ago I happened upon a hunter with his arm in a sling, packing a 260. Apparently he had emergency shoulder surgery just a short time before elk season opened and had drawn what amounts to a once in a lifetime any bull tag. I didn't want to bust his hunt, with only a spike tag so we sat and visited about how I could slip out of there, maybe help him out, and not bust a bull he had been watching for a week before the season. About then the bull came out, 300 yards or so away. The 140 grain bullet took out the heart and lungs, the bull was down before a second round was delivered. The guy waited until the bull took a step forward, completely clearing the vitals before he shot.
I'm an advocate of breaking the big bones, I shoot elk with a 338. Shot through the heart and lungs you're going to be eating elk tenderloins. Good luck.

 

[SJB358]

Welcome to the forum. Several years ago I happened upon a hunter with his arm in a sling, packing a 260. Apparently he had emergency shoulder surgery just a short time before elk season opened and had drawn what amounts to a once in a lifetime any bull tag. I didn't want to bust his hunt, with only a spike tag so we sat and visited about how I could slip out of there, maybe help him out, and not bust a bull he had been watching for a week before the season. About then the bull came out, 300 yards or so away. The 140 grain bullet took out the heart and lungs, the bull was down before a second round was delivered. The guy waited until the bull took a step forward, completely clearing the vitals before he shot.
I'm an advocate of breaking the big bones, I shoot elk with a 338. Shot through the heart and lungs you're going to be eating elk tenderloins. Good luck.

Was that up on Mt Emily? That must've been cool to see that fella give that elk the good news...