Ballistic Silvertip? What is it?

[Anonymous]

Looking at various ammo options in the .270 and have ran across the "Ballistic Silvertip"

Anybody know what this thing actually is? It doesn't look a thing like the previous Silvertip bullets I've got.

Is it a NBT with coating and a different colored tip? It doesn't have the "CT" logo like the AccuBond CT.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

They are one and the same except the Lubalox coating and the different colored tip.

 

[FOTIS]

Made by Nosler for Winchester. As stated other than the coating they are the same as a BT.

 

[JD338]

The BST is indeed a Nosler Ballistic Tip with a different colored polymer tip. Winchester buys these bullets from Nosler and adds their Lubalox coating prior to loading.

Nosler manufactures bullets for several other companies, including Federal, Weatherby, and Norma. This is also why we have seconds available from Shooters Pro Shop. Usually they are over runs.

JD338

 

[Anonymous]

That's what I was thinking.

I haven't shot the BT at game in years and years. Have they toughened them up any? Some of the ones I shot years ago detonated like hand grenades. Behind the shoulder was unbelieveably deadly but raking shots and through a shoulder was out of the question.

I generally shoot a much tougher bullet than what the BT used to be....but I've found some of these and wonder if they'd be a decent caribou/deer bullet.

For moose in the .270 I'd probably stick with something tougher like a PT or AB.

 

[JD338]

hodgeman

Nosler has refined the BT over the years and they are excellent bullets.
From the .308 180 gr on up, they are as robust as they come and are more than enough for game the size of elk and moose.
I have used the 7mm 140 gr BT on caribou and they performed flawlessly, leaving exits the size of a quarter.

JD338

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I too shied away from them based on results with the 130gr BT in .270Win and 100gr BT in 25-06 many years ago. I loaded some 115gr BTs up this year for the 25-06 and they were very effective at 3220fps. Two WTs taken with two slightly quartering-towards shots that both went through the near shoulder and exited rear ribs. There was alot of trauma internally. There wasn't much left to both of the impact shoulders but they weren't total write-offs. Oh yeah, the deer died.

 

[DrMike]

I have no problem using the 140 grain BST in my 280 for deer and similar sized game.

 

[SJB358]

That's what I was thinking.

I haven't shot the BT at game in years and years. Have they toughened them up any? Some of the ones I shot years ago detonated like hand grenades. Behind the shoulder was unbelieveably deadly but raking shots and through a shoulder was out of the question.

I generally shoot a much tougher bullet than what the BT used to be....but I've found some of these and wonder if they'd be a decent caribou/deer bullet.

For moose in the .270 I'd probably stick with something tougher like a PT or AB.

I have had excellent luck with the 150 BT's in the 270WSM. I have a ton of the 150 seconds with grey tips, made for Winchester and they are AWESOME in my rifle. Pretty tough bullets too, at least the 150's. Very thick base. Plus, I think they are a twin to the 140 AB, minus the bonding. Gotta run some into the jugs one day, but I feel pretty good, just the way they are.

 

[SJB358]

I too shied away from them based on results with the 130gr BT in .270Win and 100gr BT in 25-06 many years ago. I loaded some 115gr BTs up this year for the 25-06 and they were very effective at 3220fps. Two WTs taken with two slightly quartering-towards shots that both went through the near shoulder and exited rear ribs. There was alot of trauma internally. There wasn't much left to both of the impact shoulders but they weren't total write-offs. Oh yeah, the deer died.

That's great to hear CC, overall, it seems really hard to beat a decent weighted BT for deer.

 

[JD338]

The BT and the CT BST is perfect for deer sized game.
They are also very accurate bullets. IMHO, if a rifle doesn't shoot BT's, there are problems with the rifle.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Very well stated Jim. My experience mirrors yours.

 

[DrMike]

The BT and the CT BST is perfect for deer sized game.
They are also very accurate bullets. IMHO, if a rifle doesn't shoot BT's, there are problems with the rifle.

JD338

And the targets you post lend credence to your statement.

 

[Guy Miner]

If you'll refer to the posts made by me and Steven about our Wyoming hunt (along with his wonderful wife, Storm) you'll see that we all relied on Ballistic Tip bullets.

Steven used a .280 Rem with 120 gr Ballistic Tips, Storm used a 7mm-08 with 120 gr Ballistic Tips and I used my .25-06 and Ballistic Tips. Each of us tagged a mulie buck and a pronghorn. Six shots, six animals down. Each was a one shot kill. Each bullet exited. Accurate? I also shot a coyote at a lasered 420 yards. Oh, he was a one-shot kill with an exit too... :grin:

Since then Steven and Storm have been hog hunting in Florida, during which she managed a pretty impressive string of one-shot kills on hogs, all with the 120 gr Ballistic Tip.

I shot a small whitetail buck last year with the 165 grain Ballistic Tip at 2750 fps muzzle velocity from my .308 Win. Instant drop and an exit.

Yes, They're plenty tough enough for deer sized game, and accurate too.

There are also a fair number of Ballistic Tip bullet tests in the Bullet Test section, with impressive results.

I'll see about posting some links. Shouldn't take long to find them.

Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

Steven's account of the hunt: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21064

And more from Steven re the Wyoming hunt: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20985

Steven on the 7mm/120 gr vs Florida hogs: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22431

Some of my photos and info on the success we had with the Ballistic Tips can be found here:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17678&start=165

Yup. Great bullets for deer and deer size game. Absolutely. Also, a buddy of mine took some 180 gr Ballistic Tip/.300 Win mag ammo to Africa on a Plains Game hunt. He and the PH were very favorably impressed with the quick kills he made. He is an excellent shot, but still, the bullet has to do the job.

Regards. Guy

 

[300WSM]

That's what I was thinking.

I haven't shot the BT at game in years and years. Have they toughened them up any? Some of the ones I shot years ago detonated like hand grenades. Behind the shoulder was unbelieveably deadly but raking shots and through a shoulder was out of the question.

I generally shoot a much tougher bullet than what the BT used to be....but I've found some of these and wonder if they'd be a decent caribou/deer bullet.

For moose in the .270 I'd probably stick with something tougher like a PT or AB.

H man,

This question was raised about 18 years ago frequently. I don't know the time frame so maybe Fotis or JD can chime in on this but it was a problem and Nosler took the proper steps to make the bullet Deer sized game worthy. In some cases bigger than deer.. What exact year they made the bullet in the heavier weights thicker/tougher I don't know...fotis, JD????
Mind you this is only for the 243 heavier weight bullets, 25 cal heavier weight bullet...and of course all caliber up from there. I use the 30 cal 180 BST almost in every 30 cal magnum or non that i load for. It is a proven winner for sure at the range or afield.

All smaller and lighter bullets still hold true at flying apart.

You are correct though in your thinking about it being a problem. It was at one time. Nosler addressed it and all is good.