Nosler Ballistic Tips For Whitetail Deer ?

[Fred McIntire]

I have a Thompson/Center Encore with a 15" barrel in 7mm-08 caliber. It will be used almost exclusively for Whitetail deer in Indiana. I purchased a box of Nosler 140 grain Ballistic Tips to handload for this pistol; however, after reading some postings here and on other sites, I am beginning to have some concerns about using the ballistic tips.

I was planning on going with 46 grains of IMR 4350.

My questions are as follows:
What primer should I use for this load?
Can someone calculate the ballistic data for me on this cartridge?
Is this bullet really going to do the job on Whitetail Deer?

Thanks,
Fred

[Redhawk1]

Use them and don't think about it. I never had any problems with Ballistic Tips on deer. I have used the 150 gr. in my 30-06 Encore pistol barrel and had great results. I know a lot of people using them on deer without any  problems.    I also use the 120 gr. Ballistic Tips in my 7mmBR and they work just fine.

[Possum]

I am using them in a 270, 30.06, and 250-3000 Sav.  I have not lost a deer yet because of the bullet.  My 30.06 (165gr) is running about 2500 fps out of a 15" barrel and it drops them where they stand.  The 270 (130gr) is doing about 2850 fps out of a rifle barrel and it smokes them.  The 250Sav is 100gr and it puts them down well with a chest shot.   I am more concerned about shot placement than the ballistic tip bullet itself.  By the way, accuracy is very good.  Hope this helps.

[HappyHunter]

I use them in my Encore 25-06, also in Indiana.

Only great performance and never any trouble, I have broken shoulders and still gone all the way through.

This is the only bullet I will use in a deer round.  Love those little blue tips.

Good luck,

Fred

[Lloyd Smale]

120s have worked well for me in the 7 waters.

[palgeno]

Contender pistol: 120's in 6.5 JDJ and Encore pistol: 150's in.308 ---have worked well for me on deer----the 7-08 140's should work equally well---probably best not to try to shoot through the shoulders, though---place the shot well and you will be pleasantly surprised at the result. BOOM----down!  :eek: pg