Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 162 A-Max vs. 150 NBT

All purpose hunting-mulies, elk, 'lopes, bears, and sheep+goats one day. Out of a 280 AI, so MV would be around 2950 and 3050, respectively. My shots are anywhere from spear-chuckin' distance to 600. Looks like the 150 gives up 3-4" of drift at 600.

Which do you choose?

Can't speak for the Amax, but the BT is a good bullet out of my 7mm saum. Tougher than you think.. Cheep, accurate as hell, and easy to find on shelves.

I remember the bull you killed with one of 'em....

That was a 140 accubomb.

I've killed a lope at 300 plus, and a few dinks at close to middling range. Surprised at the lack of grenade action on shoulder shots at close range.

What about the 150 LRAB? Best of both worlds? I realize there's no real data yet -- or maybe even bullets -- but worth a look.

I'd not fret the 150NBT at any range you mentioned above.

Would you fret the 162 at any of those ranges?

If I go to any other VLD, it'll be the 168 Berg...

No.

I have a buddy who shoots the 168 out of a 7mag. It's the only bullet he shoots. Near or far, it's never let him down. The up close shots do show some serious carnage, but it's always exited. Big holes out the back, little holes going in.

I'd listen to him Flounder. He's in Pre-Med.

Good to hear.

I can't imagine that there is a whole lot of difference between the 162 and the 168 on animals.

I'll do some research of my own in November and see what I see.

Speaking of Pre-Med, I'm seeing good things out of your 243AI Montana. The 105's look good with a tightish lug. If the crops weren't still in, the throat would be toast by your next trip down!

I'm happy with 1,2,3,4. Things were a little warm on #5 high and to the left..

Damn good vertical anyhow... That's what matters!

Skip the Gay-Max.

To me "all purpose" means the ability to penetrate to the vitals from the inopportune angles which are sometimes the only available shot, especially when hunting trophy game.

Add to that the elk on your list, and I'd think about a little tougher bullet.

When I think "all purpose" I think along the lines of an Accubond or Partition. You may give up a few inches of wind drift way out there compared to the Match type hunting bullets, but you gain some straight line penetration, especially when bone is encountered.

I won't buy any more Accubonds, after last year's [bleep]' rodeo with a mule deer.

Partitions on the other hand....

Dobrinski has killed a chit load of critters with the BT outta his 7mm whatever, which led me to believe he was on to something.

But I have BADD ( bullet attention deficit disorder) and have loaded up a pile of .284" 120 TTSX's for this season.

I hear you on the BADD. I got it...bad.

How quick were you shooting the 150s?

2950 fps mv or thereabouts.

Shoulder shot a WT doe at about 2945 fps to see what would happen and was pleasantly surprised.

[/quote] Would you fret the 162 at any of those ranges? [/quote]

I might!!! I shot a spike elk last year with my 708 AI muzzle velocity of 2830. shot it at 260 yards velocity at that range was 2457, hit behind the shoulder the 162 weighed 65.2 grains. hit one rib on the way in.

Hard to say what might of happened if I was using my 7 WSM with the 162s at a muzzle velocity of 3200 and shot it on the shoulder at lets say 75 yards and it was a big heavy bull. More testing needed for sure.

Tanner, at your velocities the 150gr NBT should work just fine. I typically switch to accubonds around 3200+.

What kind of issue did you have with the Accubond last year, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Hit a buck in the shoulder at 140yds with a 110 via 25/06.... It blew up after about 3" and never even made it to the other side.

I was lucky to find the buck and kill him. I'm not sure what happened, but it weren't pretty.