Looking for help with Nosler Partition load

[derrelw]

I'm trying to tweak a .260 Remington load for Deer and Antelope using Varget and 125gr Nosler Partitions. I cant seem to get groups smaller than 1" at 100yds. My best results to date have been w/ 38gr of Varget and 2.850 OAL. (2.904 is touching the lands).
Using 120gr SMK's and Varget this rifle will do .25" groups at 100yds all day long.
Savage 11 w/ 22" Douglas XX and 1-9 twist.
Any suggestions?

BTW I also have IMR-4350 & H-4350 on hand

 

[derrelw]

Ok can anyone suggest a more accurate hunting bullet? How about Sierra Game Kings?

 

[D.ID]

I Think you would have a lot easier time getting tight groups running a berger "hunting" bullet. They are great for dear and antelope. P.S. not saying anything bad about gamekings, but I would still look at bergers for a 260 dear round.

 

[Shortmagman]

I would try another bullet. My Remington Model 7 with a Hart barrel likes both 120 Barnes TTSX and the 130 grain Nosler Accubond bullet. The Nosler Partition has a reputation of not always being the most accurate bullet even though some rifles with shot it great and it is a great hunting bullet.

 

[tomt]

I've never loaded for the .260 Rem, but here are some observations. 38gr of Varget is 88% case fill, that leaves some air space that could be affecting MV. 43gr of IMR 4350 has 96% case fill and 43gr of H-4350 has 98% case fill. I would try the H-4350 because of the temperature stability of the powder. Remember the Partition is a flat base hunting bullet, if you can get sub-moa the deer won't notice the difference.

 

[derrelw]

Thank you guys I'll try all of the above and post back the results.

 

[derrelw]

OK I tried the Partitons with 43gr of H4350 & IMR4350 and still can't get better than 1" groups at 100yds.

I tried 130gr Nosler AccuBonds with 43gr of H4350 and got 1" groups.

Tried the same AccuBonds with 43gr of IMR4350 and got 1/2" groups at 100yds and 1 1/4" groups at 300yds.

I think I'll play with the IMR / AccuBond combo to see if I can tighten it up even more.

 

[Catfur]

Tried the same AccuBonds with 43gr of IMR4350 and got 1/2" groups at 100yds and 1 1/4" groups at 300yds.

I think I'll play with the IMR / AccuBond combo to see if I can tighten it up even more.

You can hit a deer in the eyeball with that at 300 yards. Why mess with success (unless messing around is the point)?

 

[derrelw]

You can hit a deer in the eyeball with that at 300 yards. Why mess with success (unless messing around is the point)?

I agree that this will be a great hunting round as is but I'm always trying to get every bit of potential out of everything.

 

[g0rd0]

try 140 grn partition a freind has a 6.5x 55 in a huskavarna and that is all he uses, it is a real tack driver

 

[derrelw]

try 140 grn partition a freind has a 6.5x 55 in a huskavarna and that is all he uses, it is a real tack driver

My rifle has a 1-9 twist so I've not tried anything bigger than 130gr. The partitions are tough to find these days.