Finding the Best Bullet?

[BearClan]

Need help. I want a hunting bullet with the best combination of accuracy, velocity, and expansion, in that order (expansion and "bang-flop" kills is less important - I live in the tundra so tracking is not an issue).

I have narrowed the field to Nosler Etip, Barnes MRX, Nosler AB, Barnes TSX and TTSX (and Hornady GMX, if and when they create a 180 grainer).

My question - is it a fair comparison of these bullets "inherent accuracy" in my particular gun if I use only one a) powder, b) load c), case, d) primer in finding the best bullet for my gun? The only variable that I would change was to use an OAL that each bullet seems to like based on the general consensus (e.g., .100 off the lands for the Etip, .050-.100 for TSX, etc).

So far, I have only compared the Etip and MRX. The Etip was more accurate than the MRX, but I am somewhat disappointed that my max velocity with the ETIp will only be about 2840 ft/s (max loading if Nosler recommendation followed - i.e., use mid range load a max).

 

[Richracer1]

IMO, the best bullet is the one that shoots the most accurate from my particular rifle. Of course, you need to initially choose a bullet that is suitable to the game you're hunting.

My primary concern is accuracy. I won't give up accuracy to achieve more velocity, so for me the velocity is what it is.

Since you mentioned 180 gn bullets, I'm assuming you're shooting them out of a 30 cal something. Any of the bullets you mentioned will do the job on NA game if you, the shooter, do your part (which is the most important part).

 

[JD338]

BearClan

Not sure what caliber you are shooting or what game you are hunting but I would go with a 180 gr AB for everything. You can get exceptional accuracy, as well as expansion and penetration with the AB bullet.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Bearclan, it's probably not fair to base it all on one power, one primer. Barnes bullets are notorious for just not liking certain powers. In my experience, Nosler bullets are less fussy, but each bullet will have it's own quirks.

For the combinaiton of elemets you are looking for, I agree with JD. The 180gr AB is hard to beat. If you did want more expansion and bang/flops, I'd try the 180 BT.

 

[Guest]

I'll say this about it, it all depends. If you've already developed fairly accurate loads for your rifle with the one powder, then you may be satisfied with the results of testing across the range of bullets with just one powder. As well, if you're just looking for a 1" group at 100yds, you may be well satisfied. If you're thinking in terms of consistent .5-.75moa groups, you may need to experiment with more than one powder. I'll also add that I've had much better results with the E-Tip going to a slower powder than comparable weight bullets. The slower rise of the pressure curve seems to reduce the inherent pressure spike those bullets bring to the table to the point of allowing good velocities without as much risk. Every rifle is different, of course, but I've seen the E-Tips respond to slower powders very well in multiple rifles.

If you're shooting something that can use IMR7828, I've had beter results across the board with the ssc version versus the regular, just for the record.

 

[Greg Nolan]

BearClan

You mentioned maximum velocities. Are you shooting over a chronograph or going by the manuals? I have found that the manual's stated velocity and the actual velocity are usually different. Sometimes quite a bit so. I have also found that with a chronograph I can load up to and sometimes beyond without any pressure signs. It will depend a lot on how slippery the bullet is. It changed the way I looked at load development and velocity and a Shooting Chrony is only about $80 if you don't already have access to a chronograph.
Good luck on your loads and keep us posted. I
m interested in the unleaded bullets too since I live in California.
Greg

 

[1Shot]

What game are you going after? What caliber are you shooting? If it is deer size a Nosler ballistic tip or a Sierra bullet is perfect. If it is larger than deer in the elk size I would go with the Nosler Accu-bond or partitions.

 

[bobbyrum]

Amen to the 180 AB, but don't change more than one variable at a time. Ring it out & if not satisfied, make one change at a time, ie. bullet or powder or primer etc., then go back at it again. The last time I did this routine, I discovered that the suggested powder did not work that well for me so I switched to one that wasn't even listed in the manual as one that would be worth trying, & it turned out to be the best choice :grin: Have fun, that's what it's all about :wink:

 

[BearClan]

If I forget some of the questions asked, my apologies.

1) - I am shooting a .300 WSM

2) - I bought the gun for moose hunting, but caribou will be my most frequent quarry becasue of where I live (caribou hunting an hour snowmobile drive away vs. the 4 hour flight for moose hunting/once every 2 yrs). I figured a 180 grainer covers these - although I am open to 165 grain bullets, but only if it is adequate for moose. Based on other posts on this site, 180 grainers are the recommended bullet weight for moose.

3) - I am using a chronograph, but accuracy is my primary concern (I listed a chronographed max for the etip for illustrative purposes - the most accurate load was actually half a grain below the max for RL19 = chronographed vel. of 2784 ft/s ave for 3 shots).

4) - I will be happy with 1" groups/3 shots (consistent). While a sub-MOA gun would be awesome, I am not going to burn out my barrel trying to find it.

5) - Although I would never take a "texas-heart shot" as a first shot, for the worst-case scenario, I want a bullet with exceptional penetration just in case this in the only option for follow-up shot (again, this gun is a moose gun first). That is why I didn't include the 180 grain Nosler AB - is this a mistake (i.e., is it adequate for a worst case-scenario moose shot?).

As I have only one powder available to me (RL19), I was hoping to create a "fair-test" for different bullets using this powder (i.e. taking a mid-range load of RL19 to test all bullets).

Also, I am also running out of Fed215 primers, and as everyone knows, they are near impossible to find these days.

 

[caribouhunter]

i just started reloading this year, and the first bullet i tried was the barnes ttsx 168 grains. (300 rum) i too was hoping to get 1" @ 100 yard.
i was happy to get that accuracy on the first try. for my second try.
i put my coal to magazine lenght and since then i get all my 3 shot groups
between .300 and .700.
an awesome bullet as far as accuracy goes

 

[DrMike]

The 300 WSM is an excellent cartridge for moose and caribou. A 180 grain bullet will be an excellent weight for the game you listed. Perhaps you could get by with a 165 grain bullet, but the 180 will give a little extra insurance should you need that difficult shot on a moose. The AB will work just fine on moose, as will any of the others you list. The 180 grain AB will penetrate to the vitals of a moose from almost any angle.

Should you run out of F215 primers, don't hesitate to work up a load using any large rifle primer with RL19. They will work quite well for you.

While a velocity of ~2800 is a bit less than one could hope for with the 300 WSM, it is certainly adequate for moose to 300 yards and perhaps beyond, depending upon accuracy.

 

[JD338]

BearClan

You should be able to reach 3000 fps with the 180 gr AB.
This will give you a flat shooting rifle with a lot of down range energy.

JD338