Bobcats, hog, coyotes & recovered bullets

[Bobby Tomek]

I was able to take this double on bobcats recently using an Encore with a 26” MGM barrel in .260 Remington and shooting handloads featuring the 120 grain Ballistic Tip.

After popping the first cat, the 2nd lunged forward a bit, turned, smelled the deceased’s carcass for a split second and then attempted to head out in the opposite direction. But it was too late as another 120 grain BT was already on the way.

The load I am using is on the mild side, but the velocity is more than ample – and the accuracy is stellar:

But the 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip in my 24” 30-30 AI Contender provides eye-popping accuracy as well. No, they aren’t always this good, but I must say the accuracy makes longer shots on smaller targets – such as the large bobcat below taken at 297 yards -- a piece of cake. (The coyote isn’t too crazy about the load, either!)

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I took this cat at 266 yards after it turned and began walking directly away from me. The 150 grain BT entered its backside and was found protruding from the center of the skull during the skinning process.

I don’t shoot bolt rifles much (I prefer Contenders and Encores), and a .308 is not my idea of an ideal predator rifle. But it did the trick – and I certainly can’t argue with the results.

Here is another 150 grain BT kill along with the blood trail – a short one – produced by the BT. Some consider these projectiles soft. I’ve used them for many years, and in moderate-velocity cartridges, they penetrate exceptionally well. I’ve used that particular version of the BT to take several dozen hogs, and , given broadside presentation, exits have been the norm other than in some of the largest hogs.

Here are a couple of 6.5mm 120s from a few years back. I thought I'd add these in as, like I noted earlier, I don't tend to recover many of these at all.

 

[JD338]

Bobby,

Great pictures and detail on the recovered bullets, thanks for sharing with us!

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

NO doubt man. Thank you.

 

[DrMike]

Bobby,

Some great data provided together with instructive (and exciting) pictures. At reasonable velocities, the BTs will get the job done. Thanks for posting.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Very cool! I'm quickly becoming a believer in using big game loads for low pelt damage in the medium big game bores. Hoping now that I can get a 110-115 grain Nosler to shoot well in my 25-06 project gun. Will stick to lighter weighted/jacketed bullets for magnificent gymnastic performances :grin:

 

[rmarshall]

Bobby,
Awesome pictures, it's awesome to see the guns and animals harvested. How do you like your MGM barrel in the 260. I have been toying with the idea of have them build me one. I have been trying to get all the info i can on the MGM barrels. I live just up the road from there shop and have actaully visited them. what twist is your barrel? I love the 260 and i can't decide wheather to go to another bolt gun or a barrel for the encore. sell me-will it shoot any bullet you have put through it well. I would like to shoot the 120 TTSX, 129 SST and 130 AB.

 

[str8meat]

well done and get info with pics

 

[Bob in TX]

Hey Bobby,

It is great to see you over here. Your posts could be total BS, WHICH THEY AREN'T, but I would read and enjoy them just for your photos. :mrgreen:

As always, thanks for input and insight!

Bob

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Bob, that's a great pair of Cats. NICE JOB.

Thanks for the details on the bullets as well. Pretty hard to argue with those results.

 

[1Shot]

Good information. The problem people have with "the ballistic tips blow up" are those that are shooting them at magnum speeds. Keep them in the velocity range they were intended to work at and they really work. I have a Contender pistol barrel 14" SS MGM in 30-30AI and I just love it. I have been shooting the 125 gr Nosler BT at 2670 fps with 33 grs IMR 4198 and took 4 deer from 45 to 85 yards with it this season and it really did a number on them. Three were DRT one took three jumps and was dead when it hit the ground which was my fault because I shot it just a little lower in the front shoulder than I wanted to but it was walking at the shot. Bullet entered where the leg bone meets the shoulder blade and blew it's heart to bits and exited through the leg bone breaking it on the other side.

 

[Songdog]

Good information. The problem people have with "the ballistic tips blow up" are those that are shooting them at magnum speeds. Keep them in the velocity range they were intended to work at and they really work.

Been shooting the .25 100 NBTs at critters for 20 years now... never... not once... ever... seen a "ballistic tip blow-up"... and I've been running them at 3400. I've run the 120 7mm at 3600 into deer/bears... and they've always exited... even inside 100 yards. The 90 6mms... same story....

I think most of the problems that folks have with NBTs are related to garbage they read... not actual evidence or experience.

Put a ballistic tip into the clockwork... and find a sharp knife....

 

[Bobby Tomek]

Thanks for the kind words, fellows. I appreciate it.

Rmarshall-I highly recommend MGM, and for your purposes, a 1:8 twist will be perfect. My .260 is a 1:9, but I also have a 26” MGM Contender barrel in 6.5x30-30 AI (aka 6.5 Bullberry IMP) that is a 1:8 and digests everything from the stubby 85 grain HPs through the streamlined 140 VLDs with aplomb.

For the past several years, MGM barrels have been the gold standard in the industry, so to speak. Here are just a couple of reasons I prefer them:

 

[DrMike]

Again, some excellent pictures providing a sound testimonial of the craftsmanship of the rifle and the abilities of the rifleman. Good show.

 

[Desert Fox]

A double with a Contender! You my friend is one hell of a rifleman. Thanks for sharing and great picture. I love Texas. Can't wait to go back again.

 

[rmarshall]

if my plan is to mostly shoot 120-130 bullets, should i go with the 1:8 twist or like my factory remington 1:9. I do have some 100 PT's but maybe they will not shoot well in a 1:8. or maybe the the 1:8 is the most versitle. Whats all your thoughts. Bobby you say to get a 1:8. My plan is to shoot what i currently have on stock, 120 corelokts, 120 TTSX, 129 SST and 130 AB, oh i do have some 120 pro hunters, 120 match and 107 match. I would like to try the 120 BT, 120 GMX, and the 125 PT. I do have some 100 PT's that i have not even tinkered with yet.

 

[Larry in SD]

Welcome Bobby. As usual your knowledge, photos, stories and attention to detail are second to none.

Larry

 

[Bobby Tomek]

A 1:8 will allow you to stabilize some of the longer projectiles, but it will not hinder performance with any of the shorter/lighter ones. Within reason, you can't overstabilize a projectile, but you can certainly understabilize one.

With the short, stubby 85 grain Sierra HPs, my 6.5x30-30 AI (6.5 Bullberry IMP) cuts ragged holes for groups at 100 yards and consistently groups into less than an inch at 200, and this barrel is a 1:8.

While the 1:9 will serve you well for most applications, it certainly can't hurt to have the 1:8.