Author Topic: winchester ballistic silvertips (Read 538 times)

shootdonniebrook · « **on:** November 16, 2006, 03:21:36 PM »

I plan on useing these in my pro hunter encore w/ a 28" barrel 7 mm mag. They are the winchester supreme moly ballistic silvertips in a 150gr. What kind of performance can i expect on whitetail deer with shots from 40 to 100 yards?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:34:43 PM »

They will probably turn to shrapnel within the first 2" or so of travel. BTs just really don't work well at magnum velocities at close range. That's really NOT what they are made for. But if you hit the deer broadside in the heart/lungs it will be a quick kill. However if you make a bad shot and hit elsewhere, well maybe you'll still get the deer and maybe you won't.

If you must use BTs use the heaviest for caliber in the .30s and under caliber or better yet use a PT or AB.

Selmer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2006, 07:04:58 AM »

GB, as much as I LOVE Nosler BT's, I have to agree with you. We use them in .308's and .30-06's in 150 and 165 gr, respectively, and we have great success with them at the ranges you describe. Unless you can guarantee heart/lung bullet placement, don't use them at these ranges in the 7mm Mag, they will act like a varmint bullet. If you were talking 100-400 yds., I'd say go for it, it will be perfect. I can't help but ask the question....Why are you using a 7mm Mag at ranges of 40-100 yds? This seems like a perfect opportunity to use a different barrel in your Encore, like a .308 or 7mm BR. Of course, if it's the only rifle barrel you have, then by all means use it, but you'll like yourself better if you pony up and buy the Nosler Partition bullets for these ranges, guaranteed to run a deer from one end to the other and fully penetrate.
Selmer

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2006, 02:43:21 PM »

Guys...

The Silver Ballistic Tips aren't the same as the standard BT's...The jackets are drawn thicker...and the bases are a-lot thicker...GB is probably correct about a 40 yard shot...even broadside...but you stand a much better chance with a SBT...than a standard one...Move up into the 338 class diameter...even the standard BT's are rated for tougher game...A tougher bullet would be the Nosler Accubond or Speer Grandslam for those 40 yard shots...for not much more than the SBT's...

Mac

Selmer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:54:30 PM »

Mac, sorry, but all that the Ballistic Silvertip consists of is the the same bullet design as the standard BT, but combined with Winchester's proprietary Lubalox moly-free coating and a silver tip in all calibers. I've used them, they perform exactly the same as standard ballistic tips, fantastic on deer in standard calibers and normal ranges and magnum calibers at 200+ yards. The only exception I'd make to this is that they did redesign the ballistic tips in hunting calibers and weights with heavier jacket a few years ago, and the .338 and up calibers have a considerably heavier jacket than the original design
Selmer

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2006, 07:03:09 PM »

Quote from: Selmer on November 28, 2006, 02:54:30 PM

Mac, sorry, but all that the Ballistic Silvertip consists of is the the same bullet design as the standard BT, but combined with Winchester's proprietary Lubalox moly-free coating and a silver tip in all calibers. I've used them, they perform exactly the same as standard ballistic tips, fantastic on deer in standard calibers and normal ranges and magnum calibers at 200+ yards. The only exception I'd make to this is that they did redesign the ballistic tips in hunting calibers and weights with heavier jacket a few years ago, and the .338 and up calibers have a considerably heavier jacket than the original design
Selmer

Nope...You wrong my friend...Nosler & Winchester improved the design of the BT's...when they started Combined Technologies...and within a couple of years of that happening...Nosler reintroduced the solid base boattail BT...but the cores weren't hardend...nor was the jackets made thicker except from the .338 cal bullets and up...

Quote

CT Ballistic Silvertip™ bullets are aerodynamically efficient due to their impact extruded, boat-tail design that is made expressly to maximize long-range bullet stability and accuracy. In varmint weights they are constructed for instantaneous, violent expansion. In hunting weights, jackets have been thickened and cores hardened to blend generous expansion with judicious penetration ideal for light and medium game at extended ranges.

I've sectioned them before they reintroduced the boattail solid bases...and the bases are thicker as well than the standard ballistic tip...They don't fragment like a standard BT does...so...I guess one could say they are the premium ballistic tip offered by them...They are phasing them out in favor of the Accubond now...and I've been told they will eventually stop making them all together...So...stock up on your favorite caliber & weight while you can...

Mac

Selmer · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2006, 11:06:11 AM »

Thanks for the info Mac, I wasn't aware that they changed the Silvertip design at all after the revamped the Ballistic Tip. I'd be interested in the Accubond, but they only make it in 150 and 180 for my .30's and I shoot 165 gr from my .30-06 because that's the only bullet weight that it doesn't disagree with!

Selmer

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2006, 03:51:43 PM »

shootingdonniebrook:

What research led you to that bullet?