I just purchased a Ruger compact SS in cal 260. It has a 16 1/2 " barrel would appreciate any advice on buletts and powders and that shoot well. I will use the rifle to hunt whitetail in VA and NY where shots longer than 150 yards are rare. I am looking for a combination of accuracy, penetration and knock down power. Any one with experience loading and or using this weapon who could comment would be appreciated.

I just purchased a Ruger compact SS in cal 260. It has a 16 1/2 " barrel would appreciate any advice on buletts and powders and that shoot well. I will use the rifle to hunt whitetail in VA and NY where shots longer than 150 yards are rare. I am looking for a combination of accuracy, penetration and knock down power. Any one with experience loading and or using this weapon who could comment would be appreciated.

Thomas,

My two favorite loads for this firearm:

120 gr SP Speer, with 41.5gr of 4831; mv of around 2600
140 gr SP Speer, with 40.0gr of 4831, mv of around 2500

Nice, mild loads that will smack down whitetails at 150 yards and not kick you into the next county with that little Ruger. I have one, too, and I love the rifle; a great carry around weapon, but with it's light weight, I found that heavy loads were really punishing. I'm a wuussss, by the way.

gunwriter

i have used a 16 1/2 bbl. Mannlicher in 6.5x54 on our local blacktails with great success. That was 45 years ago., but 156 to 164 gr. rnd nose bullets worked best. That caliber is not nearly as hot as the .260. I had a .260 Rem. in a stainless Ruger 77 MkII with 22" bbl. Best loads were all using Rem. cases, CCI 200 primers, Min. trim length.:
H4831...44.5 gr. OAL 2.79" W/ Nosler 140 gr. PT
RL 19...47 gr., OAL 2.855, W/Hornady 129 gr. SST
Instrumental velocity-2795 fps.
RL 19...47 gr., OAL2.775, W/Nosler 125 gr. PT
Please start 10% below these loads and check to make sure bullets are not seated out so far they touch the lands in your barrel. These loads worked will on deer and since heavy bullets give better relative velocity than light bullets out of short barrels, you will get best game results with medium to heavy bullets that open fast but have controlled expansion. 129 gr. Hornady SST bullets are cheaper, accurate, and will work very well on deer with the velocities of your rifle. Use 140 gr. Nosler on bear, and shoot well.

Thomas- At the ranges you are discussing,and for the terminal effects you are looking for,I would give the 160gr. hornady rn. a try. It is my absolue favorite in my md.94 6.5x55 carbine,this bullet not only expands well,it has such a high S.D. that it out penetrates many larger caliber bullets.

I am a 6.5x55 swede-a-holic (hence my moniker) but there is no practical difference between the two cartridges.

I use a Nosler 140 gr partition over 40.5 gr of IMR 4064...pushes out over 2500 fps. Never had that load fail me yet. Shot through a big northern whitetail...through the chest lengthwise and out the ham(ouch). Love that .264 cal penetration.

I also favor a 120 gr Sierra boattail spitzer over 42 gr of IMR 4064. Pushes out at 2600 fps.

Both these loads are as mild as my swede is...no excess pressure...and both have been deadly accurate for me.

hope this helps.

swede

Gunwriter you gave me some 260 Rem loads you use in your Ruger 260 CR that I would like to try, but before I do I need to know the name of the manufacturer of the powder. Were you refering to H4831 or IMR 4831. I currently have IMR 4831 and IMR 4064. Please reply. Thanks