Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Nosler E-Tips - anything at all will help at this point

I've tried two different E-Tip bullets (.30 150gr & 168gr), four different powders at numerous charges, two different primers, everything from 0.050" jump to 0.200" jump and so far have gotten only one group that was barely acceptable (1 MOA).

For reference, Federal Premium with the 165 TSX (Wal-Mart here carries this) shoots 1/2-3/4 MOA from this rifle. I've been able to find handloads that consistently turn in sub-MOA performance from every rifle I've ever loaded for, but am out of tricks on this one.



Anybody been successful getting the E-Tips to shoot well? What did you do to make it happen? I have close to 500 of them and want to be able to use them this fall for elk.

Rifle is a Rem 700 stainless in 30-06, btw. It is bedded into a Ti takeoff stock. Lugs have been lapped & it wears a Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 scope.

Thanks

why not use TSX's?

Just curious. Why wear out a barrel trying to make something shoot that the rifle doesn't like?

For all the rounds needed for hunting why not use something you already know will work.

Jim

The 150 E-Tip will maintain 2000fps for right at 200yds further than the 165 TSX. I may end up using the TSX, but I'm looking for info on succeeding with the E-Tip before I give up. I shoot extreme long range for both work & fun and have a hard time giving up yards that I know I can command if the bullets will cooperate.

Any info from those who have found a good recipe with an E-Tip?

Using seating depths of kissing, .05. and .1 in a 243 I saw 1.5ish with .05, 3"ish with .1, and to stacking bullets kissing the lands.
I'd try kissing the lands before you give up even if it is only "to know" at this point.

+1 on seating closer including kissing lands.

Haven't tried the lighter pills in the '06, but am getting great results with the 180's and H4350. Easy to get them close to the lands because they're so long and find close to max book loads work best.

Tried IMR4350 and H4831 before settling on the H4350.

My friend's Savage 30-06 shoots the 150g Etips very well with IMR4064 right at 3000fps. I have him loaded close to the lands though.

the last thing I would try before I dumped the bullets in the classifieds is to load up what gave you the best group so far and try seating the bullets closer to the lands. If that don't work, your rifle just don't like them. And if you are going to buy something like TTSX's to try, don't buy 500 until you know they work.

CLB

I found the 150 nosler to be "ok" but the 180 e tip was really tough to get to shoot in most my guns. Don't run off and buy a bunch of hornady gmx either...those seemed even worse than the etips.

MOLY

I have been lucky in that I have tried e tips in four guns(.277,.308) and each and every one has shot them well with minimal fuss. Two of the guns have long throats so I just loaded them to max COAL. The other two are seated just off the lands.

Are you getting good velocity with the 1" load? If so Id run it in a heart beat.

Chrono is down, but I have one lined up to use later in the week. Am going to try some bullets seated as close to the lands as I can load them and still keep the bullets in the cases. The throat on this rifle is so far out there I'm worried the bullets will fall out of the cases if I touch the lands.

50 grains of Varget with the 168 E- tip, .010 off of lands

Just loaded up a few 150s at 0.010" jump and 0.30" jump with H4350. We'll see what those look like if I can get time to shoot tomorrow. There ain't much bullet left in the neck!

Interested in your results.

Didn't make it to the range today, but here is a pic of the seating depth at 0.010" jump. They won't fit in a 30-06 ammo box.

I bought a huge supply of 150gr Etip seconds at Nosler last year and my results have been similar to yours. I have tried quite a few different powder and primer combinations and the best I can do with them is around 1.5" at 100 yards. The 165gr Accubond shoots VERY well out of that rifle so I have gone that route. Good luck.

+1 for 165AB for a 30 caliber rifle.

Today with the 90 grain e-tips - 41.5 gr IMR 4831 set 0.1" of lands resulted in 3 3-shot groups (I had loaded them before hearing to kiss the lands)

1st group 2"
2nd group - buddy's model 7 - 2"
3rd group - buddy shooting my gun - 0.4" - go figure?

On second note, the 85gr BTHP shot lights out in the two guns with Re15, Re19, and H4350.