25 Cal 85 gr BTips vs CT 25 cal 85 gr Ballistic Silver Tip

rquack · May 12, 2012

The general Nosler rule has been if it's sold in a 50 pack it's a hunting bullet, if it's sold in a 100 pack it's a varmint bullet. Does this rule of thumb hold true for the 85 grain 25 cal CT ballistic silvertips? They're sold in a 50 pack; but the "regular" Nosler Btips are sold in 100 packs. Are they the same bullet with just a different color exterior, or are they different in construction and terminal performance characteristics?

I'm looking to begin experimenting with several loads for the new Bob soon and I'm trying to learn about my options.

Ridge_Runner · May 12, 2012

same bullet with a lubalox coating.
RR

JD338 · May 12, 2012

rquack,

They are one in the same bullet. Nosler uses a Silver polycarbonate tip instead of a blue one and sell them to Winchester, who adds the Lubalox coating. The .257 cal 85 gr bullet is a varmint bullet and is not intended for big game.

JD338

300WSM · May 12, 2012

The CT 85 gr Nosler is 100 percent for varmints.

Only difference being Lubalox coating which I have shot loads of them in several different calibers and to be honest, if I'm using a ballistic tip bullet in any caliber I always get the CT version as that lubalox if nothing else does make the fouling less. If it doesn't make fouling less it makes it easier to get rid of the foreign matter in the bbl. Either way the end result is getting the rifle cleaned easier. So if you are very picky about keeping the rifle clean and can swing the extra little bit go with the CT.

As far as being faster this is where it gets a little gray. Maybe it is 10-20 fps faster. Nothing of significance here. It won't make it any slower!

rquack · May 13, 2012

Thanks for the knowledgeable insight into this bullet. Sounds like I may need to get a few for target and plinking.... Or else I'll have to take up varmint hunting. But I'm going to be concentrating on the hunting loads first. I need to get this thing shooting the inventory of 100 gr BT's and PT's that are sitting on the shelf..... But wait... I need to get the gun delivered from the gunsmith first. I love this anticipation thing...