125 BT in 308win

[chet]

well folks..... I was trying out my new cam lock bullet puller (never gonna use the hammer again!) and I decided to pull some 125bt's out of their 300 win mag hosts. The bullet was fun out of that cartridge, but really quite useless.... and I hadnt shot any for 5 or so years....

My 12 year old wants to use my Kimber 84m 308 to shoot his first deer. To be quite honest, a 150-168 gr bullet gives this lightweight rifle quite the kick. I wanted to tone it down some for him, so i figured I'd give these 125 bt's a try.

46gr Varget, seated to mag length 2.750"....... 3 shots = .65" group!!! @ 2850 fps.
AWESOME!!!!! however I only have about 12 bullets left.......

question #1 These bullets were bought about 15 years ago. Does any body know if Nosler changed them at all? (If I buy more, will they shoot the same?)

question #2 Will they make a good deer bullet at these velocities? (I think they'll be great, just want your opinion)

 

[SJB358]

well folks..... I was trying out my new cam lock bullet puller (never gonna use the hammer again!) and I decided to pull some 125bt's out of their 300 win mag hosts. The bullet was fun out of that cartridge, but really quite useless.... and I hadnt shot any for 5 or so years....

My 12 year old wants to use my Kimber 84m 308 to shoot his first deer. To be quite honest, a 150-168 gr bullet gives this lightweight rifle quite the kick. I wanted to tone it down some for him, so i figured I'd give these 125 bt's a try.

46gr Varget, seated to mag length 2.750"....... 3 shots = .65" group!!! @ 2850 fps.
AWESOME!!!!! however I only have about 12 bullets left.......

question #1 These bullets were bought about 15 years ago. Does any body know if Nosler changed them at all? (If I buy more, will they shoot the same?)

question #2 Will they make a good deer bullet at these velocities? (I think they'll be great, just want your opinion)

Chet, that is awesome, That is the EXACT same load my wife shoots out of her 308. I am using the Sierra 125gr PH's, but have some BT's to try out. I used that load on a doe a few years back and it is magical. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Don't throw away your kinetic puller puller; there is a place for it. While I use my cam-lock frequently, there are times that recovering w/o a mark is important.

The 125 will work for deer. Verify the new bullets you buy. It'll give you ease of mind, and it doesn't take all that long to load up a series and shoot them.

 

[rick smith]

I have used the 125gr BT in three different rifles, 308x1.5Barnes, 300Savage and a short barreled 308Win. Kills deer without a problem.Rick.

 

[chet]

While I use my cam-lock frequently, there are times that recovering w/o a mark is important.

I'm actually quite surprised at how minimal marking occurs with this puller. Adjusted properly, it works beautufully!

I ordered a box of 125's, I'll compare as best I can before loading. If nothing else, POI should be close.

 

[FOTIS]

Actually it makes a great bullet for the 308 and believe it or not for the 30-30 (as a 2 shot) one in barrel one in magazine.

 

[Bigfoot]

Best post ever on the 125 BT.

One Shot.

Thanks for the great report.
I load the 125gr BT's in my 7.62x39, but haven't shot anything with them yet. I'd also considered loading them in the .308 as a reduced recoil load for my girls. I've only heard good things about their on game perforance, but numbers like yours can really up the confidence factor. We have a friend that shoots EVERYTHING with a sporterized Enfiled, and the 125gr NBT. This including a 6x6 bull elk under 100 yards. Bang, flop, bull never knew what hit him. It's not my first choice for an elk bullet, but it works for him.

From this thread last month. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15539

 

[1Shot]

I have used 46 grs IMR 4895 with the 125 Nosler BT 3000 fps in my 308 Win to take deer out to 300 yards with no problems at all. I have used it in my 30X47 HBR (shoulder pushed back 10 thousands on 300 Savage case) at 2850 fps to take deer out to 200 yards with no problems at all. I have used the 125 ballistic tip out of my Contender Pistol 14" barrel 30-30AI at 2670 fps to take 4 deer this past season out to 100 yards with no problems at all. Killed some were around 35 deer in the past few years with the 125 ballistic tip and I have only had two take a step after taking one in the shoulders and those two did not go over three jumps. The 125 ballistic tip is the deer bullet in 30 cal for me as long as you keep it under 3100 fps muzzle velocity.

 

[martineta]

The 125 BT has been my go to bullet for a 300 whisper and plenty of deer taken loaded to 2400 fps. I have been loading 150 BT for the .308 but think I need to try some 125's. Thanks to everyone that has responded.

 

[wildman]

This bullet is all I use in my 308 ,don't understand how it works so well but this bullet is simply unbelievable on deer size game .They work very well ... :grin:

 

[atmoshpere]

Great post! I ended up trending towards lighter bullets in my 308 as well and had very good success. I always wondered about the original BT, but was concerned about toughness as i wanted an all around hunting load to use for elk as well. Ended up using 130 TTSX at 3250 fps. Great game load; I killed antelope, deer and elk with it. Nice to know the BT's get the job done too!

 

[FOTIS]

Elk? No not for me. Deer? all day long

 

[JD338]

I have a friend that loads the 125 gr BT in a 30-30 for his daughter. She has taken 3-4 deer with this load and all were DRT with exits.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Thanks Bigfoot.
I appreciate the complement.

 

[Guy Miner]

I recently loaded 50 of the 125 gr Ballistic Tips for a young lady heading into her first hunting season, with her first rifle, a Sako in .308 Win. She shoots them well, and I hope she'll meet with success afield.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I agree with POP deer or speed goats all the live long day but not elk. Even in a 308, thats not heavy enough in my opinion. I like at very least a 150 PT but more likely a 165 or 180 AB or PT.

 

[Gm weatherby man]

I loaded the 125 bt for my 340 in 30-30 with 36grn r-15 wlr primer, great accuracy. Now if I just remember to pick it up for a doe tag hunt and try it out and see how she fairs. MakIng her a one shot for the bt has a large taper leaving oal lenght to long for the mag.