Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Nosler .30 cal. 165 gr. bullets,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I loaded up some Nosler 165 gr. bullets for my .30-06, same powder charge, half were Ballistic Tip and half were Accu Bond. Side by side testing from the bench the Accu Bonds produced a tighter group than the Ballistic Tips. My question is this,
what has been your experience with these bullets on whitetails, which would you choose?

The construction of the 165 BT has been stiffened considerably over time . I wouldn't go to the additional expense of the AB for deer.

When you say side by side testing what do you mean? How many groups of how many shots each? Tighter by how much? Same loads with bullets same distance from the lands?

I've only taken one animal with the 165 gr. Accubond, a fat juicy cow elk. Bullet entered just behind the last rib and pulverized the left lung. She ran maybe 30 feet and collapsed. She did need a finisher. Bullet was not recovered and probablt was in the goo that was the left lung. Cartridge was the 30-06.
Paul B.

KISC (Keep it stupid cheap) - go with the Ballistic tips if all you are hunting is whitetails.

The Ballistic Tip is great for deer.I've used both the 165 and 168gr in my 30-06.Either one will certainly get the job done for you.Side by side testing bullets of different construction can vary and could be something as simple as seating depth and length of the bullet.165gr Nosler BT is 1.2985 in length.The 168gr Nosler BT is 1.3100 in length.I usually get about 40fps more velocity with the 165gr using the same powder charge as the 168gr.You wouldn't think the 3grs in weight would make that much difference,but combined with the length difference,I guess it does.It may or may not make a noticeable difference in the way they shoot,it really depends on the rifle and the load.

The group with the Accu Bond was about 1" @ 100 yds. for a 5 shot group, the Ballistic Tip group was 1 1/4". I believe my choice will be the Accu Bond though from the comments received I would have confidence in the ability of either bullet to get the job done. Thanks to all for the input.

I like them both and for deer or even bigger stuff neither will leave you wanting. After seeing the 165 BTs and ABs in action on elk and deer it really does seem about perfect in the 30-06.

A few years ago I worked up loads for a friend 30-06 Ackley Imp, the 165 BT shot like a lazer and the 165 Np almost as good. Since then he's killed about a dozen bull moose and lots of caribou with the BT and has never felt the need for"more" bullet. For my personel hunting Hornady Interlocks serve me well, for guiding when shot placement isn't always what we want a superpenetrater is the way to go, ai NP, A-F,NF, ,, Jim

I have not shot the NBT in more than a few years from my 30-06. Used them religiously at one time and accuracy was great found them more destructive than any. Is your experience better today than say 10 or so years ago? I would go back I think there's not a lot of difference in the 2. Don't really know that it merits much consideration.

When were talking 1" and 1.25" that's not much they're probably shooting to the same hole. I would not think their ogive or boat tail are dissimilar at all.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob