Round nose 180 grain in .308 Winchester - 11/15/11
I shot two does Sunday and have my meat in the freezer. This was not exceptional hunting but I will no longer treat round nose bullets with disdain.
I have been using 165 grain Ballistic Tips for a long time. All my current .308 Winchester barrels have a 1 in 10 inch twist and I wanted to go to a heavier bullet. The round nose 180 grains fit in the magazine while allowing the maximum powder charge. I loaded up several brands, settling on the Sierra 180 grain round nose with its crimping groove for my Krieger barrel with the shorter throat. After changing scope mounts I got acceptable accuracy. So off I went to fill my freezer.
One doe was 150 yards away walking up a hill. The first hit her a bit high. She wasn't going anywhere but was still standing. At the second shot through the lungs she collapsed on her forelegs then rolled down the hill.
The second doe was in the woods about 50 yards away. She collapsed in her tracks at the shot. The round nose bullet broke both shoulders and took out part of the lungs. It left a large exit hole.
These were both large does. My guide was very impressed. "Hammered" was the term he used. He said most of the deer he sees shot go about 50 yards after being shot.
These seem to provide penetration, exit holes, expansion and shock just like the books say. I can't tell if they allow a blood trail because there is no trail.
I know that the military went from round nose to spitzer bullets for long range machinegun and massed rifle fire. The military bullet is designed to wound and all the bullet debate is about designing pointed bullets that perform well for hunting.
As near as I can tell I am just as well off staying with the original round nose bullets at the ranges I will be hunting.
GrimJim
I have been using 165 grain Ballistic Tips for a long time. All my current .308 Winchester barrels have a 1 in 10 inch twist and I wanted to go to a heavier bullet. The round nose 180 grains fit in the magazine while allowing the maximum powder charge. I loaded up several brands, settling on the Sierra 180 grain round nose with its crimping groove for my Krieger barrel with the shorter throat. After changing scope mounts I got acceptable accuracy. So off I went to fill my freezer.
One doe was 150 yards away walking up a hill. The first hit her a bit high. She wasn't going anywhere but was still standing. At the second shot through the lungs she collapsed on her forelegs then rolled down the hill.
The second doe was in the woods about 50 yards away. She collapsed in her tracks at the shot. The round nose bullet broke both shoulders and took out part of the lungs. It left a large exit hole.
These were both large does. My guide was very impressed. "Hammered" was the term he used. He said most of the deer he sees shot go about 50 yards after being shot.
These seem to provide penetration, exit holes, expansion and shock just like the books say. I can't tell if they allow a blood trail because there is no trail.
I know that the military went from round nose to spitzer bullets for long range machinegun and massed rifle fire. The military bullet is designed to wound and all the bullet debate is about designing pointed bullets that perform well for hunting.
As near as I can tell I am just as well off staying with the original round nose bullets at the ranges I will be hunting.
GrimJim