Killing time at the range

[TackDriver284]

I finally stocked up on 165 grain Ballistic Tips a few weeks ago that will last me for years, was not able to find the 168 Ballistic Tips, its been several years since I used the 165's / 168's. It's my favorite bullet next to the 178 ELD's. I wanted to stick with the 165's, so I whipped up some charges of Varget in .3 grain increments from 44.8 to 46.0 grains, bumped .020" to fit magazine. Looks like my fast node is at 45.7 grains at 2840 fps. I would love to run this through some jugs @100.

6BR with Varget / 95 grain Berger VLD's at 2825 fps. .005" jam into the lands

 

[JD338]

Looks great Mark.
Run one through the jugs and let us know.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Nice shooting! You are very near one of my favorite 308 loads. I settled on 45 grains of Varget. Learned that those bullets are essentially as accurate as the 168 grain match bullets I'd been competing with.

Ah, one of my favorite general purpose hunting bullets from either the 308 or the 30-06!

Ran one into the jugs years ago, 2012 I think. The thread also has 165's recovered from bear and mule deer:

.30 cal 165 gr Ballistic Tip & recovered bullet from bear

Got out with a favorite rifle today, and tested a favorite load & bullet, the same combination I used to take a young whitetail buck a few months ago. Used the 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip from my .308 Win, loaded in a Federal case, with 45 grains of Varget and a CCI 200 BR primer. Muzzle...

forum.nosler.com

In 2016 those things gave me antelope, mule deer, cow elk and black bear.

I think Mark, that you're going to like them.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

Nothing wrong with the accuracy of the load you show us.

 

[TackDriver284]

I think Mark, that you're going to like them.

I already love them. I love how it mushroomed at 20 yards in your jug test. It's a solid performer for sure.

 

[xphunter]

That is some tight shooting.

 

[noslerpartition]

I think they redesigned the base quite a bit some time ago on the BT.
Cut open, it looks like the AB, just without bonding. Wall thickness is substantial at the base, so unless the bullet tumbles, it should retain quite a bit of the core.

Ah - just saw in the other thread that someone said almost the same....

If you don't go for fast impact on heavy bone at short distances (with moderate speeds), it should do the trick
Btw: nice group!
Cheers
Frank