http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosl...totype-fb-tipped-bullets-blem-100ct.html




Nosler 7.62x39 (.310 Diameter) 123 Grain Limited Edition Prototype FB TIPPED Bullets (BLEM) - 100ct for 18 bucks.

I have a couple boxes on the way.

Should be fun to try in the AK.

accurate bullets in an inaccurate gun. Could be a wild combo. LOL

Some of us have single shots and bolt guns in 7.62x39, so a Nosler's worth trying

Yeah, I've got a little Mini Mauser in 7.62X39 that would probably benefit from them. I doubt I would bother running them in my AK though.

yeah, but OP said AK....

I have a friend that had a... ugh,.. ruger bolt in x39.. it was a sharp little gun that was very accurate with 125 ballistic tips.

My nephews AR is very accurate with 125 ballistic tips also.

Interesting but I don't see any info that describes the performance intent of the bullet. Anyone know if it is a varmint or big game bullet?

Yes,

I said AK. So far my reloads with .308 bullets have failed to mesure up to event the Wolf .311 bullets.

I want to see what these will do. Sure I don't expect the same accuracy as my AR, but it will be fun to see what it will do, and another excuse to go shoot some new loads.

any excuse to shoot is a good one.

Even if its only an AK its better than the best day at work.

I bought a box, we'll see how it works in a single shot.

I bought some of the Nosler prototype .310dia 123gr. I don't have a semi-auto rifle at the moment in that caliber, but I do have a Ruger #1 chambered for that cartridge. It was a very hot humid day today, so I didn't shoot a lot, but the groups are at least as good if not better than any of the other hunting bullets sold for that application. The #1 managed around an 1 1/4 for 3 shots, and normally they don't do very well on hot days. That's with a relatively low powered scope with heavy crosshairs, and I am sorely out of practice. That's at least as good as the Hornady SST, the previous champ, and I suspect the Nosler will be better on game.

I'm using an RCBS seater; I prefer Forster and Redding comp dies, but they don't make competition dies for the cartridge. I didn't check my runout gauge but there is some visible misalignment in seating, so this is an area of possible improvement. The Lapua brass was brand new, not fireformed in that rifle, so I'm hoping that can be improved later on.

I need to do more testing at the range this fall, and will try them on deer & hogs later this year. If you want to get a 7.62x39 shooting better the Noslers seem to be worth a try.

They are now $15.95/100. I ordered 500 to feed the new Stoner upper.

my nephews AR loves 125 ballistic tips... model one sales cheap upper, shoots an inch or so. And slow enough that they open but don't do the typical blow up that BTs are known for. Obviously talking .308 diameter..

Let us know how these work on game!

The only game I'm likely to use them on would be groundhogs. They may not do the same damage as a BT at higher velocity but I predict it will still be an ugly scene. Di-section to inspect the wound cavity will not happen.

bumping an old thread, since I had a chance to shoot a pig with the Nosler 123gr Ballistic Tip (prototype/seconds)



The entry wound is visible on the shoulder of the above pig, which dropped in its tracks. The bullet did not exit, and we were able to recover a very mangled Ballistic Tip. About 8-9 inches penetration, is my guess. MV was about 2550, and range was about 75 yards.

My take, based on a sample of one, is that the bullet would be good for 2 or 4 legged varmints out of an AR or AK. For hunting deer or pigs I'll probably try a heavier bullet, for the above rifle, or for the various 7.62x39 bolt guns.

How do you think that bullet would do on rib shots from an AR on hogs and deer? Still marginal if avoiding shoulders?

Just wondering if 6" less of barrel would help enough to make that bullet a deer/hog option.

Without getting stupid on the loads, a 22" barrel probably makes ~150-200 fps over a 16" barrel. I was seeing 2550, working at the top end of published data, and Lapua brass. Case life is fine, and the Ruger can take anything the brass can take. The velocity difference probably hurts penetration some, but I don't think it's going to be a huge difference. It would probably do better with rib shots, but catch the bone on a bigger animal, and you might have a tracking job. Of course, go too far behind the leg on a pig, and you'll miss the lungs; maybe not find the pig.

Thanks!

The recovered bullet, 58.6 grains:

Seems like they made em a bit soft like a lot of the typical BTs have been, to explosive for my tastes.

Did you get that runout issue straightened out?

The little CZ in 7.62X39 is calling my name.

The 527?

At 75 yards, that bullet from your #1 would have been going about 2350 fps, same as I'm hoping for at the muzzle from my AR.

I'm inclined to try it out on deer and pigs, in the ribs. Will see if I can find some time to do so soon. Thanks for the picture.

Sorta. I dug out the Hornady Case runout gauge, and found a few rounds that were .005" out of round. I seated the bullets a hair deeper, which seemed to help, then I 100% checked & straightened 50 cartridges. They all shot accurately.

Hornady does make a seater die with a floating seater plug, which might also help runout. Wish Forster would make one, however.

That would be the one.

Ruger made a run of Compact Hawkeyes in the caliber, but they also made a run of M77 MkII's with 22" barrels. The MkII's are semi-collectible.

Figured. Nice gun. One of the few they make in LH config.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/628381248

Much as I still have this despise for Bill Ruger, they made a boat paddle in x39 many moons ago. That would be a nice little rifle to have. Seems like 125 old 308 ballistic tips did good work on pigs from that gun for friends and dang good out of my nephews x 39x308 barreled AR....