Seeking advice on Nosler 125gr in 308

[Jeffery8mm]

Just wondering if anyone here uses the Nosler 125gr Baliistic Tip in their 308win?? I am thinking of loading this bullet up for my daughter in her Howa 308. Any real world experience on deer with this bullet??  What powder/weight?? I have H4895 and am looking at loading around 40gr for her.
thanks
Jeff

[huntswithdogs]

I loaded some a few years ago  to play with but never used them on deer. I have used 110HPs and 130HPs  for deer with great success. I think 1 was Speer and the other may have been Sierra.


HWD

[bilmac]

I haven't used that particular bullet, but would be very suspicious of it. I have used a few ballistic tips in other weights and cals and have found them to open very fast. This might be alright in bullets heavy for the caliber, but in bullets lighter than normal I would  think it would have poor penetration even for deer.

I used to load 130 Hornadays and Speers in the 308, and I thought they worked pretty good for deer and antelope size critters.

[RT8]

I haven't used that particular bullet, but would be very suspicious of it. I have used a few ballistic tips in other weights and cals and have found them to open very fast. This might be alright in bullets heavy for the caliber, but in bullets lighter than normal I would  think it would have poor penetration even for deer...

He's planning on loading them Slow (~2,500fps) as a "reduced recoil" load for his daughter. The 125gr is to further reduce recoil.
 
IMO, the NBT is an ideal bullet choice for those reduced muzzle velocity, and I can't see how a 125gr bullet that opens reliably (without over-expanding) won't be plenty sufficient whitetail medicine.  I mean, the 30-30 and lesser (slower) rounds have killed a brazillion deer over the years.

[SHOOTALL]

I loaded some 125 bullets for 3006 . It was years ago and I don't remember load , would bet it was near max. It had no trouble knocking deer down. I don't remember recovering any though (bullets not deer  ). I have also taken deer with 7mm BT , 2506 BT (100gr) and 300 win mag (150 gr). Never had a problen anchoring one. I loaded some Hornady 130 pointed spire points for my daughter in law for the 308 . Load was 45.5 gr of 748. It was the starting load and mild . They shot well.

[Jeffery8mm]

Thanks for the info so far guys!! 
Hey RT!!!  Good to see you over here!!!!!!!!!
Jeff

[BBF]

What sort of distance are you envision?
 
I have different take on reduced loads preferring a 30-30 style(construction) bullet for a 30. cal cartridge and loading it down to the appropriate velocity.

[Jeffery8mm]

0 to 125 yards
Jeff

[shot1]

I use the 125 gr ballistic tip in all my 30 cal deer shooters. It is a GREAT DEER KILLING BULLET.  In my 308 Win I use 46 grs IMR 4895 in a WW case and CCI-BR2 primer and average 3000 fps out of my 21 1/2" barrel. It is a tack driver also. This is a hunting bullet not a varmint bullet. I use it in my 30X47 HBR at 2850 fps and my Contender pistol 14" barrel 30-30AI at 2670 fps. I have killed we will say in excess of 40 deer with this bullet and I have only had about 4 even take a step and they have not gone over 50 yards. Put one in a shoulder and have a sharp knife ready.  Oh I almost forgot. Recoil is much lighter with this full house loaded 125 gr than a 150 gr load. Actually my buddy turned me onto using this bullet in my 308 years ago. He loaded up some for his girlfriend for a little Ruger 77 carbine in 308 Win and the first deer she shot was a BIG 8 point buck at 200 yards and it just dropped in it's tracks. After that I tried it in my rifle and have used nothing else since.

[spinafish]

In my opinion, that is the bullet for reduced loads..here is some data from Hodgdon http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

[kynardsj]

I used the 125 gr NBT in a 308 for a while over a max load of IMR 3031. Really ugly when you hammer a deer with it and I ended up with a lot of bloodshot meat. Also used them when I shot a 14 " 30-30 Contender. Turns a 30-30 into a whole new animal. I agree that they perform best at reduced speeds.

[james]

Years ago I loaded some Sierra 125s with IMR 4895 to use on coyotes but they were not near as accurate as the 150 gr. in my Rem M788.  I have more experience reloading now and they would probably shoot much better with a different powder or seated to a different depth.   They would have been adequate up to 100 yards for deer, even with a 3" group.

[the jigger]

I used the 125gr NBT in a Savage Sierra 20" barrel for about five years. Loaded with a good dose of Varget it shot minute of Whitetail out to 200yds(never killed one farther out). Of the five that I shot with this combination only one bullet was recovered. IMHO for thin-skinned whitetails the 125 is an excellent choice, especially for your youngster.
Yes, if you hit shoulder bone the NBT will ruin that shoulder. Shot behind the shoulder, NO PROBLEM.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!!