30 cal 180gr Ballistic Tip Vs 165gr Ballistic Tip

[firstshot]

The 30 cal 180gr Ballistic Tip is much thicker than smaller BT's, like most Ballistic Tip's, it has gone thru 4 or so redesigns. Each one better than the previous. This still doesn't make it an elk bullet. Some people would argue, but it is designed for deer size game.

Nosler

I'm currently handloading 165gr Partitions for my new BAR 30-06 which I got this past spring. I am getting good accuracy with this load.....avg 3/4" @ 100 and plan to use it for this my first season with this gun.

Over the summer, I also worked up a load for the 180Grn Ballistic Tips. I'm also getting sub MOA with the 180BT's, but was a little concerned that the 180's might be too heavily constructed for deer size game (Whitetails).

You mentioned in the "30 Cal Ballistic Tip" thread that the 30 cal 180 BT is "much thicker" than smaller BT's. Am I correct in assuming you are refering to jacket thickness and not bullet diameter?

You also say that the 180 BT is "designed for deer sized game". Is the 30 Cal 180grn BT any "thicker" than the 30 Cal 165grn BT or are they constructed the same with only bullet size/weight being the difference?

Assuming like construction, same caliber, and both constructed for deer size game. Other than flatter trajectory for the 165BT or how accurate each is in MY gun, what advantages / disadvantages would the 165BT / 180BT have other each other? In other words, why would I pick one over the other?

Thanks

Firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

 

[FOTIS]

Good question! If loaded in the 30-06 would the 180 BT's do for elk?

 

[NOSLER]

Even though the jacket is thicker, I would NOT advise you to shoot them at Elk sized critters.

In answering which one is the better bullet for deer, which ever one shoots better in your gun.

Both will open up reliably at 3000fps, and at this point it comes down to a little more bullet at impact.

 

[FOTIS]

Thanx!

 

[firstshot]

Thanks Nosler! Appreciate the reply!!!!

In AR we can only take one buck with modern rifle this year, and I've already taken a bear with my muzzleloader, so I'm going to stick with the 165gr partitions this season. Will probably use the 180BT's next year.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

 

[NOSLER]

A wise man once said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

 

[badaxeriverman]

I thought Nosler only went through two different design changes with the ballistic tip? I know they’ve changed the pictures on the boxes, but the actual design just went from the original thin jacket to the current one, which is thicker going towards the base with a nice thick base now.

If there were any other changes through the years, can you please specify? All I know is the ones that I bought back around 2000 for hand loading are probably one of the best bullets to take deer off their feet in the .308 180’s out if my 30-06 and 90 grain in my 243! Great bullets that I can get to shoot accurately than any other projectile in just about any gun.

 

[FOTIS]

I loaded some 165's last month for my buddy's 308 with varget. He killed a nice Wyoming 6x6 elk last week at 130 yards or so. Double lung completely through. Same deal for me a few years ago . Cow elk at 150 yards 30-06 165 BT

 

[Guy Miner]

I loaded some 165's last month for my buddy's 308 with varget. He killed a nice Wyoming 6x6 elk last week at 130 yards or so. Double lung completely through. Same deal for me a few years ago . Cow elk at 150 yards 30-06 165 BT

That's the bullet I used in 2016 with my 30-06 to take cow elk, black bear, mule deer and a pronghorn antelope. It's a game-taking bullet!

BTW - looks like we have dredged up a TWENTY year old post.

Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Yes sir. I remember that!

 

[badaxeriverman]

BT....ballistic tip....not boat tail im assume

 

[Guy Miner]

BT....ballistic tip....not boat tail im assume

Yup. We've dug up a 20 year old post - which is fun - and here "BT" usually means we're discussing the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet. I'm a big fan of 'em by the way. Accurate and lethal.

Regards, Guy

 

[badaxeriverman]

I always abbreviate as NBT’s…. good to know when I’m searching here on other posts

 

[TackDriver284]

165 BT for my 308 and 180 BT for my 300 are my go to bullets. Deadly accurate and reliable.
Old post indeed.