260 Rem: 120 A-Max for deer?

BoilerUP

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Done a lot of searching but decided it would be best to start a thread...

I'm almost out of 120gr Nosler BTs for my Model 700 Mountain LSS in .260 Remington, which have proven quite effective for me on whitetail. I've run them between 2675-2800fps from a 22" barrel with spectacular results from 15-100 yards.

That said, I've got some 120gr A-Max on the shelf from earlier this year, which I stopped shooting in lieu of 123-130gr bullets in my 260 target rifle.

The Nosler is a purpose-made hunting bullet and a known performer both in terms of accuracy and terminal performance from my M700. I'm certain I can get good accuracy from the 120gr A-Max as well, but I want to know if anybody else has used this specific bullets on whitetail or other game animals (I've read good reports about the 7mm 162gr and 30cal 155-178gr A-Max).

I know shot placement is the most important aspect of a hunt and any bullet can kill a whitetail with a head/neck shot, but the last thing I'd want to do is try to save a couple bucks on bullets and experience crappy terminal performance through the boiler room with a "match" bullet.

Thanks...
 
In amax, the 140 should be fine, but the 120/123 may not be so much in your rifle.

120 BT
125PT
129SP (not SST)
130 AB
130 Berger Hunting

Last but not least, a bullet I'd shoot anything in NA -

Barnes 120 TSX/TTSX or the 130 TSX

The above cup/core bullets are listed in what I feel would be in increasing level of retention/penetration except the Berger, it may be the most fragile w/little doubt, though ok on deer.
 
No fear, approaching 200 deer with Amax now. Same results as the Nosler 120 BT (my previous bullet). I've used the 120, 123 and 140gr Amax with identical results.

I'll put out a few pictures Amax/Vmax through deer. (The wound channels give the same effect but are smaller with the Amax. I only shot some 25 deer with Vmax in a 243). As you can imagine, all of these deer dropped on the spot.

CAUTION: Contains blood & gore, hiding the picture behind links. Do not click unless you are prepared for dead deer.

Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
Bullet damage
 
Nice video. Also, your kill pics show alot of those hit in spine, most all look broadside. No doubt one will get kills.

I choose hunting bullets to work also from bad angles should one have a nice animal come out at a bad angle and not offer a better shot as I would rather shoot a harder bullet into heavier bone given choice.

Most all bullets will kill esp. when used w/in their limits, but the softer esp. soft + light bullets to me are less forgiving when the chips are down on shot presentation.
 
Yes, most of my shots are broadside but I run them through any agle except a Texas heartshot - I shoot them in the neck or head when facing front/back. As log as I can see the "armpit" and it isn't running I'm good.

I've stocked up 6000 140 amax now so that will be my bullet after I've shot out the few 123gr I have left.
 
WOW= you are going to drop alot of deer :)

The 140 I know has been said to drop Whitetails over 600 yds via 260/AI. It's a good one. Enjoy.
 
WOW= you are going to drop alot of deer :)

Nah, I'm not going to shoot THAT many. A season usually is in the area of 50 deer for me, but I shoot a lot of targets.

Due to how shooting is organized here, the 6,5mm Hornady 140gr Amax is half price of all suitable bullets for me. Bullets are expendables and they only get more expensive so I stack up as much as I can whilst they are cheap.
 
Nah, I'm not going to shoot THAT many. A season usually is in the area of 50 deer for me, but I shoot a lot of targets.

Due to how shooting is organized here, the 6,5mm Hornady 140gr Amax is half price of all suitable bullets for me. Bullets are expendables and they only get more expensive so I stack up as much as I can whilst they are cheap.


LOL, no doubt, I was joking but knew you had plans to get plenty, 50 per year is alot compared to here in the US.

Good hunting, and shooting.
 
I know this is an Older thread, I stumbled onto it looking for load recommendations for my new 260. I'm going to start with the 123 gr Amax. What are you using for powders?

Also, Roe, nice shooting, nice rifle. I wish we had that many targets to shoot at here in Maine. Either you are HUGE or those deer are small. What is the average weight of the deer you are shooting?

Thanks!
 
I know this is an Older thread, I stumbled onto it looking for load recommendations for my new 260. I'm going to start with the 123 gr Amax. What are you using for powders?

Also, Roe, nice shooting, nice rifle. I wish we had that many targets to shoot at here in Maine. Either you are HUGE or those deer are small. What is the average weight of the deer you are shooting?

Thanks!

I just watched some video and thought the same thing about the size when I saw two being drug at the same time, one handed, and that it seemed like a dozen fit in the pickup.

Some awesome videos and shooting. Interesting that you can shoot that many and in states like Pa, you can shoot one, maybe two in a lot of areas.
 
Roe and i are close friends, so i can answer. We hunt at the same place.

Roedeer are small (Roe deer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
body length of 95–135 cm (3.12–4.43 ft)
shoulder height of 65–75 cm (2.13–2.46 ft)
weight of 15–30 kg (33–66 lb)

If you take of the legs, head, fur and of course everything inside, the average weight are 15kg (33lb)
 
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