30-06 and nosler 125gr ballistic tip ?

[nomosendero]

here's my report on using this bullet at a good 1K less velocity than 30-06 generates.   I agree this bullet's place in an 06 case is as a reduced recoil load. At close range at high impact speeds I've not been entirely pleased with heavy b-tips performance.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,155958.0.html

Good report & about what you would expect at that vel. with a 125BT.

[Bigfoot]

I've been reading reviews on this bullet for a while. I intend to use it for itty-bitty blacktail deer at around 2600-2800 fps.

Here are a couple of threads about it that I've saved the first one has a post comparing it's construction to the other 125s.

http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9687&highlight=bigfoot

http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9303&start=0

[jro45]

I've never shot the 125GR Nosler bullet but it sounds like it might be a good deer bullet. I've always used the Hornady 150gr bullet. It kills the deer dead.

[skarke]

I get about 2250, if I recall correctly, out of 38 gr 748 in a super 14 30 30, which is the only load I ever shoot anymore, since it has worked so well for me.  It fills the case to the bottom of the neck, maybe a little more, and is pretty accurate.  What I like about the nosler 308 125 bt is that its terminal ballistics at that velocity are excellent.  Don't recall ever having a poor wound channel, bullet usually passes right through on a lung shot with a gaping hole out of the other side, and they rarely take more than a step.

I can't testify to higher velocities.

[454Puma]

My '06 loves these bullets- very accurate. I haven't used them on deer, shot a yote with it at 250+ yards either by wind drift or the fact he moved just as the trigger broke the bullet miss going into the chest and took the off side shoulder- completely out! Practically amputated his leg! Now I run them fast 3100+fps!  if I was to use them on deer I'd slow them up some maybe 2800 fps jus in case I got a close shot! Now I'm thinking of trying them in my 30-30 should be able to get 2300+fps and they should make a great round for deer!

[quickdtoo]

The Nosler 5th lists the 125gr BT at up to 2349fps from a 14" barrel in their pistol data, it should do close to 2500fps in a rifle barrel. I get 2330fps with factory Rem 150gr ammo in a 22" barrel. 

Tim

[Coyote Hunter]

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't use the 125g BT on any thing bigger than a coyote.

Yes, they can provide dramatic kills when all goes well, but I'm always concerned about what happens when things go south.  Heavier bullets may not shoot as flat, but that is rarely an issue with deer-sized game.  By contrast, the heavier bullets can retain more energy downrange and provide more consistent resutlls ar ranges near and far and when things don't go quite as planned.

[SHOOTALL]

They should work the 125 winchester do as do my 7X30 waters with 120 gr bullet . I use a 100 gr BT in my 25-06 for deer and it has never left one standing .

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I have to make another note on this bullet. I love ballistic tips, and have shot everything from gophers to elk and black bear with them. BUT I shot only one antelope with the 125's. It was with my heavy barreled .300, it wasn't far maybe 125 yards,  a geyser of hair shot into the air for 10 feet, the bullet I would say blew up on contact, it took another round to get him down, and it was not pretty. I vote with Coyote Hunter, there are too many excellent game bullets to screw around with a marginal one. I was hunting coyotes and just happened to see this buck. He was unusual so I tried him.  Never again. )

[nomosendero]

I have to make another note on this bullet. I love ballistic tips, and have shot everything from gophers to elk and black bear with them. BUT I shot only one antelope with the 125's. It was with my heavy barreled .300, it wasn't far maybe 125 yards,  a geyser of hair shot into the air for 10 feet, the bullet I would say blew up on contact, it took another round to get him down, and it was not pretty. I vote with Coyote Hunter, there are too many excellent game bullets to screw around with a marginal one. I was hunting coyotes and just happened to see this buck. He was unusual so I tried him.  Never again. )

"Never again"? I wouild say never to begin with
Very predictable performance. A person just can't expect a short for cal. BT to do well at mag velocities, that's been stated over & over & Nosler would tell you the same. Match the  weight?SD to the vel & animal to be shot.

[kynardsj]

While I've never used the 125 NBT in an 30-06 I did use the 150 NBT. Loved it. I did use the 125 NBT in a 308 with great results on Alabama whitetail. Where this bullet really shines is in a 30-30 Contender or Handi Rifle. Turns a 30-30 into a whole new gun with very impressive downrange performance.

[sk330lc]

A good friend of mine is a  Farmer and Has Got 10 Kill permits for Crop damage. He Used My rifle with, my 125gr Ballistic tip Loads . He shot a big old doe. the  shoulder hit went through and through At about 125yards.  Man did it do some damage it was a Bang flop.    it will Kill them just Fine But after seeing the damage I don't think the  125gr Ballistic tips are the way to go with the O6.  As said, a heavier better constructed bullet is better for deer. But for groundhogs and yotes what a round.

[poncaguy]

I used Barnes TTSX 110 in my 270 WSM to take a nice doe last year at 325+ yards, she went about 20 yards.

  I think 125's in an '06 would do just as well...............

[BBF]

at that distance "prolly"  Yes !
At 50 yards however

[john keyes]

this thread since it has been up always reminded me of a Bob Milek article in an old Lyman Reloading handbook.  I had just bought my first rifle (a 30-06) and just started reloading.  A friend gave me the old Lyman book and of course I spent hours and hours and poring over it
Anyhow ol Bob always had these stories about the city slicker hot shot who had a newer better way that his pro buddies in the local pub had told him.....the hunter showed up to hunt with some 125's in his 30-06, after a lot of effort Bob put him on the buck of a lifetime....the hunter took the shot and the bullet exploded on the deer's shoulder and they lost it.  Bob followed with stern warning about not using light for caliber bullets.
Later I was looking at 270 and 25-06 data and wondering what is the difference between those two and a 30-06 with a 125?

 

Bob also said to cycle all handloads at the house before going hunting and you bet your a$$ I do do that now (and then)

[Coyote Hunter]

... the hunter showed up to hunt with some 125's in his 30-06, after a lot of effort Bob put him on the buck of a lifetime....the hunter took the shot and the bullet exploded on the deer's shoulder and they lost it.  Bob followed with stern warning about not using light for caliber bullets.
Later I was looking at 270 and 25-06 data and wondering what is the difference between those two and a 30-06 with a 125?

 

Bob also said to cycle all handloads at the house before going hunting and you bet your a$$ I do do that now (and then)

The major difference is sectional density - the .25-06 120g and .270 130g will have longer shanks than the .30 130g.   They may still blow up but they won't do so as quickly.

Also. most hunters I know that use the .25-06 or .270 use Partitions or other premium bullets.  These days you can get a .308"/130g  TTSX but I'd be willing to bet that hunter used a cup-and-core.

[poncaguy]

A good thing about the Barnes TSX and TTSX is they retain their weight and penetrate very well, but still very explosive to the heart/lungs....................I'll never use another bullet.....and another plus, they are super accurate in my rifles..........

[skarke]

In my opinion, I think that the guys at nosler, when they designed the 125s, designed them for lower velocities like those seen in a Contender.  I've looked at the jacket on a bullet that I found in one of my kills, and I can see where 3000 fps would cause a problem if the thing hit a bone at that speed.  That's why I posted earlier about the slower velocity performance, which has been absolutely excellent for me.

Again, just opinion, and everybody has their take, but I, personally, will leave the 125s to 2200 fps, and get a nice 150 for the 308.  Those Barnes are just excellent bullets, but make me whimper at the cash register.