125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in 308 win

[JohnD386]

So I have a Browning A Bolt Medallion in 308 win with a 26" barrel and 1:12 twist rate. I have a few fields on my lease where shots on whitetails average 150-200yrds. I was have decided to put a 4-12 power scope on this gun and use it on my longer shots. I'm new to reloading and wanted to know if the 26" barrel, 1:12 twist rate and the 125gr BT would work well together? I have seen great reviews about the 125gr BTs but want to make sure it will perform with the above factors before I get to far into to it.

 

[jmad_81]

While I would say that a 125 Bt would surely work, I would think that you would be better served with a 150 AB/BT/PT. I don't think you would have any issue with a 1:12 twist, but I'm not to sure with the .308" bullets. I have never owned one.

If you are stuck on the light bullet, I have seen the 130 TTSX do some things that impressed me a bit out of a 308 win. Think my brother was getting 3150-3200 out of his 26" 308 with them. Took, a speed goat, WT buck, and nice bull elk with them.

 

[onesonek]

I'm not sure the choice for 125's? Is it speed?,,,,,not really needed for under 300 yds., in my opinion. But they will work, providing a broadside with not much for bone impacts. I agree with jmad in going with a 150 gr., but I myself wouldn't go less than 165gr. just in case you have no choice but a quartering shot. And then I still might prefer a 180 in the BT line. Otherwise, again 150 PT would do quite well for most.
Fwiw, most of the guys I know using the 125 gr BT, are hunting deer with them, but in pistols where velocity is reduced.

Oh,,and the 12" twist will be fine, and Welcome to the forum as well.

 

[rick smith]

I have used the 125grBT in a number of different 30cal rifles but the velocity was not as high as you would get with the 26" barrel. All were shorter barrels and some with smaller cases. The bullet performed quite well with velocity 2800fps or less. With your range 200yds or less, I don't think you will need a lot of velocity nor as high a power on the scope, just personal preference.Rick.

 

[JohnD386]

I was more concerned with speed. The whole twist rate is something I have never paid much attention to prior to reloading. I realize it has to do with stabilizing the bullet. I'm still doing my homework to figure out which grain bullet works best with the twist rate of a given barrel of any caliber. I have a 7mm-08 that will not shoot any 140gr bullets. Drop down to 120gr 3/4" groups. I may be over thinking the whole twist rate thing. What do you guys thinks?

 

[onesonek]

While twist is important, however most production guns are set up with twist to handle the heaviest bullets, ,,,but not always. When you start pushing extreme range's, then it becomes more a factor. Your .308 12" is good for most up 180, and even some 200's. Most 7mm's I'm guessing are 1-9's for the most part, and will handle most any hunting bullet, with the exception of the heavy VLD's. It sound to me with the 140's, that you just haven't quite found the the powder it likes to get the harmonics tuned.

 

[JohnD386]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess i'll give the 150gr BT a try. I have a report in late September when it finally cools down enough to go to the range an in enjoy it.

 

[SJB358]

I ran the Sierra PH's out around 2900 and they worked well on deer. I think the BT's will be better. I believe it is a tough bullet having a short, thick jacket.

 

[1Shot]

I have been using the 125 ballistic tip for years on deer in many different caliber rifles and Contender pistols. It is a great WT deer bullet out to 300 yards. Just keep your impact velocity under 3000 fps. My 308 load that has been used by a number of people I load for or given the load to just praise it for in their tracks kills of deer. I use 46 grs IMR 4895, WW case, CCI BR-2 primer OAL 2.742. The 125 ballistic tip is not a thin jacket varmint bullet. It is a light game bullet which means perfect for the average WT deer if kept within it's design for velocity. Impact velocity UNDER 3000 fps.

 

[onesonek]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess i'll give the 150gr BT a try. I have a report in late September when it finally cools down enough to go to the range an in enjoy it.

I will advise again, due to the short to modest range's you are looking at,,,,things can happen pretty quick. Meaning not always giving you the perfect broadside shot. A 150 gr. BT wouldn't be my first choice, if having to punch through the shoulder, etc.. The 150 gr. Partition would be much better, if wanting to stay with that weight. Speed is not necessarily your friend for all range/placement senario's. The faster a bullet impacts, the faster it opens up, the less penetrates. Then construction design is critical. Penetration is always your friend, and the PT's will out penetrate most others of the same weight, unless you add in the Mono's to the equation.
If wanting to stay with the less costly BT's, I would still go with 165's. And honestly, I would even prefer the 180's. They will still open all that is necessary on broadside's, but give you insurance if otherwise. The speed even at a modest 2600 fps with a 180 PT will give you 5" point blank range of right near 250 yds.. with an on the hair hold at 300+. But should that buck of a life time step out, only giving you a peek at the shoulder, you know then you have enough bullet. Otherwise it's wait and hope game, that he gives you a better oppritunity. That be my thoughts, and save the lighter weights for more open terrain, that most often gives you the time advantage of waiting for the shot you want.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

He's shooting whitetails not elk.
150gr BT at .308 velocities will kill them just fine, and maybe even kill them better then a Partition.

 

[onesonek]

I know that,but the difference is,,,,
I prefer to be prepared for the worst, or if something should go wrong at the time, hence better is always subjective. And so, I will advise as much. But like anything else there are points of no return. However, if a bullet of heavier weight and or construction on such game will open, I will take it's better chances of exiting every time. Most certainly, the .308/150 BT will kill any whitetail, but maybe not under all circumstances,,,or at least not better than some others in all circumstance's.

 

[FOTIS]

It will do just fine. I have ran them at 3200 fps with complete success.

 

[bbearhntr]

I have a 30-06 that preferred 150g bullets over 180s. Before I started hand loading all I ever shot through it was Win 150g soft point bullets. Those cheap factory rounds accounted for dozens of whitetails from all sorts of angles. I wouldn't hesitate at all to use a 150 Nosler BT at 3200 fps. Last year I worked up a load for the 125g BT and I am anxious to get a crack at a whitetail with them. I agree, "what can go wrong will go wrong" but they are a thin skinned animal and lack the muscle mass of larger game.

 

[Oldtrader3]

A good 150 gr or 165 gr bullet will pass a 125 at about 300 yards. Plus, the heavier bullets, particularly the 165 gr will penetrate and kill deer better at longer ranges because of weight and sectional density. I always used 165 Ballistic Tips in my .308 for deer. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[clearwater]

On whitetail, there won't be a spit worth of difference between the 125 and heavier from a 308 at
your ranges. Shoot the one that shoots best in your rifle so you have confidence in bullet placement when you take the shot.

 

[onesonek]

I don't know, as I haven't used the 125 gr. on deer, and most likley won't. But I do question, whether if it is the only oppritunity presented, or by inadvertent placement (murphy's law), if the above is true if the front knuckle is hit?

 

[SJB358]

I don't know, as I haven't used the 125 gr. on deer, and most likley won't. But I do question, whether if it is the only oppritunity presented, or by inadvertent placement (murphy's law), if the above is true if the front knuckle is hit?

Dave, I know your aversion to lighter bullets, but I really think that 125 BT is pretty tough. Looking at a few of the tests conducted here, with a 30-06 at higher speeds, I am thinking it would get through. It seems to have a very thick jacket at the rear.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=16551

I ran the 125 Sierra Pro Hunter for a few Northern NY deer, it worked well at around 2900 out of my wifes 308. I think the BT is tougher yet than any Sierra.

 

[onesonek]

Good to know Scotty, I hadn't seen those reports.

 

[1Shot]

As I said in my other post about this the 125 ballistic tip is a GAME bullet not a varmint bullet. I have killed well over 50 WT deer with the 125 BT in various caliber rifles and Contender pistol. If you keep your impact velocity under 3000 fps it does it's thing. At impact velocity around 2800 fps and under it will exit through both front shoulders of a deer and leave a quarter size hole. With a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps out to about 150 yards it will go through both shoulder blades and you will find the jacket just under the hide on the off side. Beyond 150 yards it has slowed down enough that it will exit. Between 50 and 100 yards a shot placed in one shoulder will exit if the other shoulder is not hit. I helped my buddy do crop damage eradication of deer for 15 years on a huge farm in NC and we had to kill 100 deer a year. We learned a bit about what bullets work and don't work on killing deer. The 125 ballistic tip has a better track record of in their tracks kills than any 150 or 165 gr bullet I ever used. I still hunt the land that we used to do the control shooting on but they quit farming it a few years ago and now my buddy and I just do our regular deer hunting on it. I shoot most of my deer now days with a 14" barrel Contender pistol in 30-30AI and use the 125 Ballistic Tip at 2670 fps average and it smokes deer.