Quick Answer
Sufficient energy for deer at 300 yards with 260 Remington is achieved with a well-placed shot that delivers at least 1,200-1,500 ft-lbs of kinetic energy, taking into account deer size and shot placement. This typically requires a bullet weight of 90 grains or higher. A 100-grain bullet is a good starting point.
Bullet Selection
For effective hunting at 300 yards with a 260 Remington, choose a bullet with a ballistic coefficient (BC) of 0.5 or higher. This will ensure a stable flight path and sufficient energy transfer. Look for bullets made from a single piece of copper or lead, as these tend to expand more consistently upon impact.
Kinetic Energy Requirements
To achieve a humane kill, you need to deliver at least 1,200-1,500 ft-lbs of kinetic energy to the deer. This translates to a velocity of approximately 2,200-2,300 ft/s and a bullet weight of 90 grains or higher. A 100-grain bullet traveling at 2,300 ft/s will deliver around 1,400 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.
Practical Shooting Considerations
When shooting at 300 yards, consider the wind and elevation changes. A 5 mph crosswind can throw off your shot by 3-4 inches, so try to compensate with a 1-2 MOA adjustment. Additionally, ensure you’re using the correct rifle sight or scope height to account for the bullet’s drop at 300 yards.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.