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Thread: Nosler Ballistic Tips

  1. #1
    GunLoad Trainee
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    Default Nosler Ballistic Tips

    I have taken two critters using Ballistic Tips. The first was an Antelope at about 200 yds. with 150 gn. . 280 at about 2750 fps mv. Broadside shot and I spined it. It came in half when we cleaned it. The bullet didn't "fail", but jeez what a mess.

    Since then I had read several times that Ballistic Tips in calibers above .30 were built a lot tougher. They shoot good on paper, so I thought I'd try them again.
    This time I shot an Elk at 143 lasered yds with a 250 gn. BT. at about 2400 fps mv. from a 9.3 x 62 Mauser. Again a broadside shot about 3" behind his pointy little elbow. A 2 1/2" hole going in, shredded the heart, and exited like buck shot. This bullet really didn't "fail" either, because it killed the elk

    I realize that this wasn't a thousand round case study, but it was enough to convince me that there are better bullets for big game.

  2. #2
    Dogs Like Him versifier's Avatar
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    Default

    I agree. If I am going to hunt larger game with a Nosler bullet, it is a Partition I will load. Not always the most accurate bullet, but they were designed to fill freezers and perform on game, not to be match winners. The difference between a 2" and a 6" group at 200yds still makes meat. I hear no complaints from the freezer. With varmint bullets, it's up to the rifle as far as I'm concerned.

    FWIW, I don't own a single rifle in which Sierra hunting bullets won't shoot significantly smaller groups than any of the other commercial offerings. GK's from .22 to .30cal have performed well on game from woodchucks (at very long ranges) up to moose (at reasonable ranges). I always try a good selection of different available brands and weights when I work up loads for a new rifle, and it's a rare one that doesn't prefer bullets in the green boxes. (Maybe three in the last hundred.)
    "Stand your ground.
    Do not fire unless fired upon.
    But if they mean to have a war let it begin here."
    - Capt. Parker, Lexington Militia, April 19, 1775

  3. #3
    runfiverun runfiverun's Avatar
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    Default

    the ballistic tip is a good deer bullet, but as versifier said the sierra's are way more accurate.
    and work about the same.
    for elk i would use the partition.
    for deer and cow elk i just use the hornady core-lokt nice through and through no drama.
    and at 139 gr just right for the7x57 at 2750 that is what the wife likes
    i shoot the ackley version and can go 3000 but run at 2850-2900 both chronoed
    8' from the muzzle
    two years ago the wife shot one deer in the cest straight on dropped it
    instantly and the buck behind it went straight down also, with complete pass through.
    made her and my reloads instant celebrity here in town for about a month.

  4. #4
    Great Master kodiak1's Avatar
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    Default

    Nosler Ballistic Tips and Barnes Triple X is what I like. They are good bullets.
    I have also stopped game with the Sierra Bullets and don't have a problem with them what so ever.
    I am going to pay attention now and see if I see any difference in accuracy with the Sierra Bullets.
    Ken.
    Ken.

    Love to Live, Live to Shoot!
    Live by the Gun...Die by the Gun...

  5. #5
    Private C1PNR's Avatar
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    Talking More Testing Needed?

    I use the Nosler 180 BT in my 300 Win Mag and it's killed everything I shot at, many DRT. Of course, the Speer 165 SPBT out of the '06 has killed just as well, and both rifles shoot into < 1" @ 100 (at least since I put a scope on the '06).

    My good friend killed a Bull Elk with his 7 Rem Mag using a Nosler Partition, 175 gr, I think. He was "very disappointed" with the results with that bullet when we did the "autopsy," despite the fact that the elk died so close to where it was standing when shot.

    I don't know anything for sure, but I think I'm very satisfied with my loads. Maybe if I could do a 1,000 bullet test on game, I might change my mind.
    Regards,

    WE

  6. #6

    Default

    +1 on Hornady core-locks, we took 20+ deer last fall with them with good results. Dale

  7. #7
    GunLoad Trainee
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    Default

    I like Sierra

  8. #8
    Castpics and RR guy
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    Default

    In my 30-06 Vanguard the Speer 165 hotcor outshoots the sierra GKs by a good margin. Its all up to the gun. Kinda like arguing what tastes best, pretty subjective.

  9. #9
    Great Master kodiak1's Avatar
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    wiljen I don't know of a 30-06 that doesn't just love some make of 165 GRN Bullets, they are the shtuff for them.
    Ken.
    Ken.

    Love to Live, Live to Shoot!
    Live by the Gun...Die by the Gun...

  10. #10

    Default

    I shoot the150 gr. Ballistic Silvertips from my 7mm Rem mag, the last three shots at game resulted in three dead deer. I've also used the Sierra Gamekings, both the 140 gr. in the 7mm Rem Mag, and the 180 gr. from my 30/06 a.i.. I can't complain. It's placement......
    Tom

    Warning! Does NOT play well with others!

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check        

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