Thread: Tikka T3 Varmint 260 Rem vs Nosler 120gr Partition

Hi guys I am trying to work up a load for this combo using Lapua brass. It is proving difficult to find an accurate combo. I have tried AR2209 from mid to max loads with results being very disappointing. Has anyone gone down this path before me and had better results? I did this years ago for a 7-08 and the 120gr partition and found a great load with w760. But this seems to be different kettle of fish.

As an aside this rifle loves the Lapua Scenar 139gr which are going to be used as a long range completion load but for Red deer was hoping to use the Nosler as they have never let me down in the past
Thanks

I would probably try a faster powder in 260 with 120s. In my model 7 I used 2208 with 120 amax and 120 Sierra prohunter to good effect, kept the 2209 to use with 139 scenars.

+1 Ryan.

H414 which is w760 goes good with 120g in my 260 mod 7. I run 120 nbt's at 2970 from a 20" barrel, shoots about 3/4 no prob

I tried 125 nosler partition in my sako 85 260. Only tried 2209, results were pretty dissapointing around the 4inch mark. Barnes 100gr ttsx were also tried with similar results. Had much better results with 130 berger and hornady 143 eld x, both shoot under an inch....

Thanks guys Ihave a good load for the 7-08 and 7mm Mag but this bugger will not shoot them. I might have to try a slower powder but not anticipating a great improvement. Soon to be appearing on Trademe a part box of Nosler partition. By the time I find a load either the barrel will be shot out or the box will be empty.

Don't go slower on the powder 2209 is plenty slow for 120s in a 20"+ 260

Originally Posted by Dermastor

Thanks guys Ihave a good load for the 7-08 and 7mm Mag but this bugger will not shoot them. I might have to try a slower powder but not anticipating a great improvement. Soon to be appearing on Trademe a part box of Nosler partition. By the time I find a load either the barrel will be shot out or the box will be empty.

Your barrel just may not like them, I'd look to find another pill it does like.

I find that the Sierra 120 pro hunters and the 120 NBT don't seem to be fussy and work well

Partitions aren't known for stellar accuracy.
I'm a strong believer in bullet-barrel match. Maybe another powder will give better results, maybe your rifle just doesn't like those particular bullets.

I run H4381, under both 120 Btip and 125gr patrtion, in my .260 Kimber

Try 46 - 47 gns of RL-19. Very good load in the .260 with 120 - 130 gn pills. Good velocities too.

Try 46 - 47 gns of RL-19. Very good load in the .260 with 120 - 130 gn pills. Good velocities too.

I have a Tikka T3 Varmint in 260 that sits in a KRG X Ray Chassis. I use it for Steel plate shoots and long range goats. My load is a 130 grain Norma Diamond Line over 45gns of 2209. Accuracy sits around .6 for 5 shots. Velocity is 2890 FPS. 2209 is a very suitable powder. Try altering your seating depth, this has a s much if not more of an impact on accuracy as a powder change. Also look at 130 grain bullets I think that 130 is the right weight for a 260. BTW I run an AI mag so I can seat my bullet out quite a bit more.