Author Topic: Nosler ballistic tip bullets (Read 873 times)

Redhawk1 · « **on:** April 27, 2004, 09:51:27 AM »

I want to get feedback from others that use Nosler ballistic tip bullets. I have great success using them in my 30-06. I am now loading them in my 300 Win Mag (165 gr.) for a Caribou hunt coming up, and the people at Nosler told me the ballistic tip 165 gr. bullets would be fine for Caribou. I am having great accuracy with them in my gun and feel very confident with my shooting ability. I just do not want the bullet to fail. I asked if I should use the partitions and I was told the ballistic tip would work just fine.

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2004, 02:55:58 PM »

Out of your 300 I don't think I would take any shoulder shots. I too like the ballistic tips. I have had great success with them for accuracy and both of my boys and I have used them for whitetail and antelope. None of the animals have ever gone far . . . and the exit holes have been BIG. We use them in 7m-08, 30-06 and 7mm. Because of the hugh exit holes I am going to try Hornady Interbonds or load up some of my partitions (which have worked very well in the past). I would trust Nosler with what they said as it would do them no good to tell you to use a bullet that could fail. But for myself, I would go with the partition. Then I know that at whatever angle I needed to shoot a caribou I would have great penetration and not an exit hole the size of a grapefruit.

long

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2004, 06:29:23 PM »

If I were spending the money on a caribou hunt I'd sure not trust it to 165 BTs in a magnum. Really not even in an '06. I'd use 180s even in the '06 if it were to use BTs at all. Personally I'd not even think about them tho for such a hunt. I'd go with PTs if you use Nosler bullets or maybe the new Accubonds.

Now I realize my views on this subject differ from those who actually own magum rifles but to me the ONLY excuse for owning a .300 magnum of any persuation is to push 200s to the same speed the '06 pushes 180s. I'd never even think of using a bullet lighter than 180s in a magnum. But that's just me.

GB

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2004, 07:02:57 AM »

I just ordered some 165 gr. Nosler partitions. I did not want to take the chance with the ballistic tips on Caribou.

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2004, 07:06:05 AM »

Good move. I agree with Graybeard. I think the ballistic tips would be OK on a long shot, which you might get on a caribou hunt. But I would definitely use the partition myself.

Wlscott · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2004, 09:13:11 AM »

You can't go wrong with the 165 grain Partitions. I load them in my 300WSM. I've taken elk cleanly with them. One was a broadside shot that put a 750lb cow down within 15 feet of where she was hit, another was a facing shot, hit in the center of the chest at about 250 yards. The bullet penetrated all the way through the elk, and exited just above the tail. Messed up the loin a little bit, but it put her down "right now".

New Hampshire · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2004, 11:58:27 AM »

I too recently decided on the Partitions. I planned on mainly deer hunting with my '06 and planned on reletavily short shots (at least as far as the 06 is concerned.) So I was looking at the polymer tipped bullets from Nosler and Hornady. But I realized there is a possiblity of black bear in the future, so I decided hands down that the PT was the way to go. Ive heard too many things about less than stellar performance, penetration wise, to risk it. So 165 gr Partitions now sit on the shelf.
Brian M.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2004, 03:13:31 PM »

I will use the 165 gr. Ballistic tips if I do a Deer hunt. I had great success with the 150 gr. Ballistic tip in my 30-06. I will use the partitions for the Caribou. Thanks for all the feedback.

Selmer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2004, 05:33:12 AM »

I use Ballistic Tips exclusively in y .308 and .30-06 for deer, but if I were to pay good money for a caribou hunt I'd shuck out a few extra bucks and shoot the partitions GUARANTEED not to fail! Trust me, I took out a a transfer case on a Suburban with one out of a .243, don't ask, long story, but I recovered the bullet with 65% weight retention!!!
Selmer

tony212 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2004, 03:31:31 PM »

Hi Redhawk;
I used 150 grain ballistic tips out of a .300 win mag last fall on a pronghorn and they worked perfectly. But, even in the Nosler load book they tell you not to use them on animals over 400 lbs. If I were going Caribou hunting I think I would rather use partition bullets. Either 150 or 165 grain.
Tony212

smoky · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2004, 04:59:28 PM »

Redhawk,

My 7 mag loves them (.25" groups at 100 yards). BUT, They do not perform consistently at high velocities close in. Two examples.....

1. 160 lb. 8 pt.- shot in the shoulder at 35 yards. Never took another step, but bullet penetration was less than 4" and turned to scrapnel. Velocity was 3,150 fps.

2. 165 lb. 8 point- shot through both lungs at 25 yards. Only went 25 yards, but small entrance and exit holes, not much blood.

So they did indeed kill, but bullet performance was not quite what I expected. So now I use the 140 grain BT in my 7 mag which is set up as a "bean field rifle" for use out of shooting houses. Generally, I won't see a shot of less than 100 yards in this situation and the BT performs great.

In my 7-08, which I use for woods hunting, I prefer the sierra pro hunter. I am also working with some other rounds as well, but no BT.

Good Shooting,

Smoky