Sierra 120 Pro Hunter or Nosler 130 Accubond?

[Rol Page]

The Sierra 120 Pro Hunters handloaded to 2800 - 2900fps. (published velocity in the reloading manual) group around 3/4 inch @ 100yds. while the Nosler 130 Accubond @ about 2800fps. (also published in the Nosler manual) are grouping around 1" - 1.5".
I know from experience last year that both bullets will take deer 50 /- yds, the range that I typically shoot at.
Does anyone have a preference or prejudice for either of these bullets at similar velocities?   All comments are welcome.  Thanks in advance.

[swifty22]

Rol, For impact at  50 +- yds I would use either but load them at about 2300 fps otherwise there WILL be a VERY large hole and a lot of blood shot meat. Possibly the 130 will make a little smaller hole and penetrate more but you are talking impact at about 2700 to 2800 at 50 yds, a very messy event on a deer.-Muddy

[Rol Page]

Swiffty, thank you for your thoughts..  2,300fps is below the published minimum in the Sierra and Nosler manuals.  I agree that the bullets are devastating and leave a big hole.  Fortunately last year I had vital hits without meat loss.

[swifty22]

Rol-Look in the Hodgdon website as to reduced loads w/H-4895. IIRC you use 60% of the max load w/H-4895 for the given bullet weight. USE THE HODGDON DATA FOR THIS!. I just looked and I assume you are loading a 260/6.5x55 or something along those lines. The Hodgdon site has 7mm/08 and 7x57 data w/ 130/140 gr bullets so you should be able to interpolate something for 2500 or so anyway. good luck-Muddy