Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles "it's not the headstamp, it's the projectile"

So, just in time for hunting season reloads, I'm starting to "experiment" again. I'm curious about who's SO happy with their chosen bullet that they don't use anything else.

I know about all the variables of caliber, speed, distance, BC/SD values.., for this question let's assume we all know how to put the bullet where it belongs. I care about terminal performance.

I've spent ten years with boat-tail ballistic tips, and been very happy. I'm considering the switch to hollow point flatbase for better short range (>300yds) accuracy.


Who's settled on "the best", and why? Who's still experimenting, and why?

...oh, whitetails, and yes, I know they're easy to kill, even with a pointed stick or rock.

and blacktails will give you a anger management issues.

I'm still in the "trying different things" phase. I've only been reloading about 5yrs and collecting rifles for a few more. So far I haven't found anything that doesn't work on our small southern whitetails, but I'm careful not to use frangible bullets in small calibers. I have found that Nosler Ballistic Tips and Sierra Gamekings tend to be the easiest to get to shoot accurately in most calibers.

Any of the following bullets at 3k and you are done:

.277 140gr NAB or 150gr NPT

.284 160gr NAB

.308 180gr NBT

.338 200gr NBT/AB

Me....

I prefer the pointed stick..

Partition, what else is there?

Jim

which bullet?

Thanks Antelope Sniper,
I've spent some time thinking speed is the key too, and You are using bullets on the heavier end of the caliber.

I'm looking at mostly 2750-2900fps from short action calibers + standard weight(for caliber) bullets (277130g, 284140g, 308150g, 358200g).

I am in that category. 150 Hornady Interlock in my .308s, 160 Partition in one 7 mag, 140 Abs or 139 Interlocks in the other 7 mag. 100 Interlocks in my 6mm Rem, but that rifle is soon to be a .260. I plan on the 129 Interlock in the new rifle.

JeffG, I hunt with one rifle exclusively. And,since around 1992 have used one bullet exclusively. However, as the bullet evolved,I followed it's evolution.And, until last year had used the same bullet weight. But, I wanted a bullet with a higher BC, while staying with the same manufacturer. Since it was not offered in my preferred weight,I was forced to change to a lower weight. This brand has never disappointed me in all these years. From Pronghorn,to elk,moose,bear,with an occasional fox or coyote thrown in. Oh, I failed to mention, it's a Barnes! memtb

First thing,the whole boat tail thing is just a marketing ploy and you really have to stretch the distance to achieve any better accuracy out of one vs a flat base. Manufacturing techniques and quality control have more to do with accuracy than the BT. In fact,many rifle shot the flat base more accureatley than the boat tail.If you find better accuracy with the flat base,that is probably the reason

JeffG,
I think you are in the right spot for velocity. I usually like to keep things in the 2750-2800fps zone for deer also. For bullets we are in an unleaded zone (soon to be statewide) so Barnes is the obvious choice. No complaints, everything ends up dead, the vast majority with 1 shot DRT.

Nosler Partition......mostly.

I don't switch around. I use works for me and I stock up on those bullets. I'm not trying to hit a specific hair on an animal so 1.5" (or less) 3 shot groups is good to go. Shooting distance is usually under 100 yards.

Jeff, Velocity helps with quick expansion, and mass aids with penetration. IME NBTs perform well up to about 3k, but above that, it's time to switch to a more substantial design, such as the AB or Partition.

For a "one and done" bullet, I find the biggest NBT/AB you can throw at 3k generally works really.

I shoot a lot of lighter, faster bullets as well, but those are usually reserved for deer and antelope and not for when Elk is in on the menu.

Great answer Bob. All I can say is me, too. Partition, that is... mostly.

I am going thru the process now, wife & I are planning out first elk hunt so I have done a lot of searching. I think I have made a decision as of this morning at the range. My Sako 30-06 likes the Nosler Accubond 165 with 60-61 gr of RL-22. The Browning 30-06 seems to prefer the Hornady Interlock SP 165 with 61 gr of RL-22. Now to figure a way to keep them separated in a way that they will not be used in the wrong gun, not a problem if they do, just a loss of accuracy.

Prwlr:

Easy way to roll. One of the most consistent BG bullets in existence.