Solid Base Bullets Stand on Solid Ground for Ballistics

[147 Grain]

Field Report:

Nosler's Solid Base (SB) 180-gr. 30-06 bullets in Federal's Vital Shok line-up are extremely accurate, while achieving 7/8" to 1 1/8" groups at 100 yards in my sporter hunting rifle. Cudo's to Nosler for bring back a ballistically efficient bullet that achieves a high BC of .491 even with exposed tips!

Who else out there has a more efficient 180-gr. lead-tipped bullet?

Conversely, I love Ballistic Efficient bullets because they provide more velocity / energy downrange; any gain in accuracy is a plus, but increased energy is what I love in boat tailed projectiles - not just their longrange accuracy. (Flat based bullets work great up to 200 yards.)

In comparision with the competition, the SB's BC is a whopping 108 points higher than a 180-gr. Remington PSP Core Lokt at .383 and 117 points higher than a Speer Grand Slam 180-gr. at .374 (50 points more than 180-gr. Hot Core) and 66 points higher than a 180-gr Hornady Spire Point at .425

Furthermore, other Nosler rounds are efficient too: I.E. 180-gr. Partitions have a BC of .474, AccuBonds = .509, and Ballistic Tips = .507 - all in 180-gr.

That's the thing I love about Nosler; all their projectiles are aerodynamically efficient; who else make bullets with high BC's across such a diverse line-up? :roll:

No-one!

 

[147 Grain]

Example of how ballistic efficiency can upgrade the caliber you're shooting - using 30-06 and 300 Win Mag in comparison:

On page 13 of Winchester's 2005 Ammo Catalog, you'll find the following 300 Win Mag data:

* Super X 180-gr. 300 Win Mag Power Points leave a 24" barrel @ 2,960 fps muzzle velocity (MV) / 3,501 muzzle energy (ME). At 300 yards, the figures equate to 2,182 fps / 1,902 energy.

On page 10 of Federal's 2005 Ammo Catalog, we find the following 30-06 data:

* Federal Vital Shok 180-gr. 30-06 Solid Base leaves a 24" barrel @ 2,710 fps muzzle velocity (MV) / 2,935 muzzle energy (ME). At 300 yards, the figures equate to 2,180 fps / 1,905 energy.

Moreover, going back to page 13 of Winchester's 2005 Ammo Catalog, you'll find the following 30-06 data:

* 30-06 Winchester Supreme 180-gr. AccuBonds leave a 24" barrel @ 2,750 fps muzzle velocity (MV / 3,022 muzzle energy (ME). At 300 yards, the figures equate to 2,239 fps / 2,004 energy.

* 30-06 Winchester Supreme 180-gr. Basllistic Silvertip leave a 24" barrel @ 2,750 fps muzzle velocity (MV / 3,022 muzzle energy (ME). At 300 yards, the figures equate to 2,237 fps / 2,001 energy.

 

[147 Grain]

Summary of 30-06 versus 300 Win Mag using more efficient bullets:

At short ranges with standard bullets, the 300 Win Mag clearly has the edge, but at longer ranges around 250 - 300 yards, the 30-06 shooting higher BC bullets pass the Win Mag in performance.

At 300 yards, a Power Point has 1,902 ft. lbs in energy, while the same weight bullet that's more ballistically efficient, achieves 2001 (Ballistic Tip) / 2004 (AccuBond) respectively. Even the 180-gr. Solid Base = the Win Mag's Power Point with 1,905 versus 1902 ft. lbs.

Steve

P.S. All Nosler bullets are more heavily constructed and will penetrate more than Power Points, to include the Ballistic Tip (especially the 180-gr. BT).

 

[FOTIS]

Actually given the same caliber and weight the Accubonds do have a slightly higher BC than the Ballistic tips. :wink: Splitting hairs here but nevertheless.......

 

[147 Grain]

Right!

509 (AccuBond) BC versus 507 (Ballistic Tip).

 

[147 Grain]

POP or Anyone:

Any first-hand experience with using the Solid Base round on Big Game?

 

[rick smith]

I used solid base for years until they were discontinued. When they came back I loaded for a new 308 and used it to take eight whitetails last year. I consider the solid base to be one of the best cup/core bullets for hunting. I am having my third 30/06 built now and the first bullets it will have down the tube will be 165gr Nosler Solid Bases. I have killed a lot of deer and hogs with the solid base, ballistic tips and partitions. I have confidence in all three.Rick.

 

[FOTIS]

I have a buddy who has a 30-06. When he heard years ago that Nosler was ending the Solid Base line he went out and bought every 30 cal 180 SB box he found in all of Cheyenne! He has used them in everything from antelope to elk with awesome results. Hestill has a couple of hundred loaded and squirreled away!