Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .243 Nosler Ballistic Tip for Whitetail?

New hand-loader here and was wondering if the current production Ballistic Tip bullets are suitable for whitetail or should I stick with the 80gr Barnes TTSX?

The rounds will be loaded for my youngest's .243Win

No personal experience here, but by all accounts the 95g NBT was specifically designed for that application and is reported to be an excellent deer bullet.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...a-243-ballistic-tip-95-grain#Post4576253

In fact the guy who designed ithe 95 BT for Nosler used it quite successfully on a number of good-sized bull elk. It definitely works on deer.

It is the perfect deer bullet for the .243.

While I didn't shoot any deer with them, I can tell you that both the 90 and 95 grain BTs are stout enough to shoot completely through medium-sized hogs. (Now you have me missing the 6mm-06 Encore barrel I used to have )

My boy is shooting these bullets in his 243. They are very accurate, and hold together well. He shot 2 deer with them this fall, and has killed a couple coyotes as well. You will like this bullet. If you are reloading,try 41 grains,of H 4350. It is working well.

The 95 grain Ballistic Tip works great on my lease for deer and pigs. We don't seem to have the armored deer some places do.

Sure would be fun if Federal offered a 95 B-Tip 6mm Creed load from the factory.

They definitely kill with aplomb. You might consider staying off the shoulders unless you're fan of strawberry jello.

Both bullets kill deer very well.

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I stopped my search for the perfect deer bullet several years ago because I think I've found it or at least it's close enough to perfection to suit me. It's the Nosler BT. I have three basic requirement for deer bullets. They must be accurate, must expand readily, and must more often than not make two holes, one in and one out. I can depend on the NBT's to do this.

I never shot a deer with the 95 BT that didn't exit. I do think it's the perfect 6mm deer bullet.

Others have a sleeker profile but I like the 95 BT best for killing.

It kills them just fine, granddaughter uses them.

Re: both kill well, indeed, but if you are shooting long distance, say over 300 yds, the 95 BT is going to hold it's speed longer and expand better.

Guy I know dumped a deer at 540 yds with a 243, and 95 BT..........I would not try with a light mono, may pencil thru.

IME, the 95 is VERY hard to beat, will drill both shoulders of a WT Deer at 100 yds broadside......and still expand way out there.

Oh, I have shot 1/2" groups..........at 200 yds using them. Other bullets can do very well in 6mm, killed deer with 70 TNT in 6BR and 243, on up thru 100 Partition.

The 95 leaves me nothing wanting, near or far.

Are you sure ? Higher retained energy, yes, but velocity & therefore trajectory bleed faster.

I'm a 95gr SST guy.

I believe the comparison was between the 95 BT and the Barnes 80gr TTSX. In that case, the TTSX should bleed off velocity faster, although not by much.

If you start the Barnes off at 3100fps, its .331 BC will see the velocity drop to 1789fps at 500 yards with a drop of 43 inches (assuming a 200 yard zero). If you start the Nosler at 3000fps, its .379 BC will give a velocity of 1872 fps at 500 yards and a drop of 42.5 inches with a 200 yard zero.

Data taken from trajectory tables at the back of Nosler and Barnes reloading manuals.

my wife has used a 90 or 95 grain BT to kill 8 Muledeer from 60 yds, out to 300.

I haven't shot a whitetail with one yet but they sure work well on antelope at all ranges I care to shoot them. Good expansion while holding together, broke bone when needed and exits without excess meat loss. If I could only shoot one 6mm bullet a 95gr Ballistic Tip would likely be my choice.

What’s the difference between the 90 grain and 95 grain BTs? Besides the 5 grains, of course.

Agreed, but if you start the TTSX off at 3350fps (as it's factory Vor-tx offering lists), its .331 BC will see the velocity drop to 1993fps at 500 yards with a drop of 35.5 inches (assuming a 200 yard zero). If you start the Nosler at 3000fps, its .379 BC will give a velocity of 1872 fps at 500 yards and a drop of 42.5 inches with a 200 yard zero.

At the 300 yards stated;

80gr TTSX approx. 2500fps, 1100ft/lbs energy & 5.7" drop. vs. 95gr NBT approx. 2300fps, 1130ft/lbs energy & 7" drop.

Pretty similar.

They 95NBT works, but I'd stay away from bone and not expect exits on shots with much angle. If you can work with that, you'll be fine. If you want increased odds of exits with quartering shots, go with the Barnes.

90 grain BT - SD = 0.218, BC = 0.365, OAL = 1.071"

95 grain BT - SD = 0.230, BC = 0.379, OAL = 1.115"

Difference - SD = 0.012, BC = 0.014, OAL = 0.044"

Doesn't look like much, but maybe it is.

John,

I remember reading somewhere that he designed them to be tough enough to specifically hunt elk in the speedy 6's, up to the Weatherby. Am I correct in this, John? You seem to be our resident expert fact-checker, as well as favorite writer.

I think they are the same except for weight.The 90 grain will stabilize in the slow twist 244 Remington. Just shoot the one that groups the best in your rifle.

The bullet was designed by Chub Eastman,according to Dogzapper here at the fire. Steve(Dogzapper) saw Chub wack some big critters up to and including Moose with this very bullet according to some earlier posts by Steve. This all assumes that I am remembering the story correctly,but I think I got it pretty close to the truth.

Which is the best a guy can hope for around here anyway.

The guys at my hunting camp have asked me to inform anyone considering the use of a 95 NBT on white tail deer to just say no. It is totally ineffective to the point that it actually bounces off even the Bambiest of Bambis. They then pick it up in their teeth and turn it into an unwelcome suppository for whomever shot them with it. Seriously, don't even consider buying this bullet for deer hunting. Most especially don't buy it in blem/over-run form from Shooters Pro Shop.

My experience is you can hold on bone all you want. The bullet is plenty tough enough to handle it.

I used a .243 for one season just for fun and shot 4 deer with the 95 ballistic tip. It performed very well. 2 deer dropped on the spot. One ran 20 yards and one ran 40 but he was hit pretty far back. If I used a .243 again I would definitely use the 95BT.

Here is dogzapper's post concerning the 95 BT:
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The .243" 95-grain Ballistic was designed by Gail Root. Gail was perhaps Nosler's most talented ballistician.

Gail is and was a .243 Winchester NUT and he designed the 95-grain to be HIS big game killing bullet. Goodness only knows how many big 6X6 bull elk Gail took with the 95 and most of them with a single well-placed shot.

I know of at least one record-class Nilgai bull that Gail killed with the 95. Nilgai have the well-earned reputation of being almost bulletproof. The bull fell at the shot.

Gail also used the 95 to collect his magnificent B&C typical whitetail.

Gail was proud of the 95's performance of big game; it's great penetration, superb accuracy and killing performance is amazing. This is one bullet that never had to go back for re-design.

Yes, I've killed big game with the.243 95-grain Ballistic ... maybe thirty head of assorted mule deer, whitetail, antelope and one quite decent black bear. And, YES, one raghorn 5X5 bull elk that measured about 285 B&C. I've never had to shoot any big game animal more than once and the animals either dropped in place or struggled for less than 20 yards.

The single bull elk I killed with the 95-grain fell as if electrocuted. I was using a Runger Number One in 6mm Remington Normal.

Naysayers will cuss and discuss the Ballistic Tip ... and that ain't my problem. I'm only telling you what I know for a fact and I have considerable experience with the 95-grainer and have found it to be a superb big game bullet.

Steve

PS. If I was shooting foxes, coyotes and bobcats, I WOULD NOT use the 95-grain Ballistic Tip. It is for this purpose that Gail designed the 70-grain Ballistic. Gail was justifiably proud of both the 95 and the 70 ... they each were made for a specific purpose and they both accomplish their goals wonderfully.

By the way, Gail pretty much killed stuff with two rifles. Literally ALL of his big game was slain cleanly with his .243 Winchester Normal.

Paul - you're right. I got the starting velocity wrong with the 80 TTSX.

Thank you, I appreciate the replies.

Thanks for finding the post. It was Gail Root and not Chub. I do think there is another story involving Steve and Chub,but I got it mixed up.

This 95 BTip must be a heckofa bullet....everyone on the ‘fire seems to agree!! That’s rare!

While I've not harvested a whitetail with the 95 gr NBT yet, I have them loaded up in a 6x47 Lapua. Shooting sub .5" groups. I don't know the velocity. 34.5 gr of CFE223. I'm sure if I do my job, and place the bullet in the right spot, they'll do their job and take care of business.

Jeff

Start calling it the FFP 95 Btip. Then [bleep] will get real.

Found the story,Chub was the one who sold Steve on the 120 grain Ballistic Tip in 7mm . Chub and Steve hunted together and Steve used the 120 Ballistic Tip in his 280 Ackley on plenty of deer and bull elk. Steve even used it to kill a moose at close range.

I knew there was a Chub story in my brain somewhere involving Steve and Ballistic Tips.

Nosler offers a BT in 90 and 95 grain, but then offers a 90 grain AB. I didn't think they did that if the BT were as good? Does that mean that the 90 grain AB is a tougher bullet?

It means Noslers marketing department is good at their job. They know certain guys will believe new=better. As long as new=as good as the proven original, hey, no harm done.

We shot 3 whitetails this fall with the 243 using 70 grain BTips. Reduced velocity loads. All exited, including breaking leg bones on one of them. The 95 is just more better.

How slow did you have to go to get them to expand and not blow up?

I would estimate they were leaving the muzzle at 2600. BTips blow off the front end but always have the base intact. The 70 grainer base+remaining jacket usually weighs about 30 grains.

Dober used to mention that he would break shoulders with the 55 grainer out of his 6-06.

I killed an "big" (maybe 90 pounds on the hoof, smaller whitetail comparable) antelope doe at 150 yds with a 90 NBT started out around 3500fps. It was a high lung shot and made a 5" exit hole. This was from a 6mm/284 and I felt it was a bit harsh on the little animals. They are a whole lot like whitetails in the SE and Hill country, pretty delicate. Now the 125 PT was OK on them with the 6.5/284 with 120NBT was too on small exotics ( Blackbuck and such) smallest caliber I've used on them besides the 6mm. I am getting a little Sako Forester .243 and thought to start out I'd try the 90NBT and the 90 NAB and see what I get for accuracy. No more than I hunt coyotes and bum around rock shooting I don't mind the cost. I figured I would "hedge my bet" on mule deer with the 90 Accubond, and hopefully my next trip to Texas, whenever that happens. Any of you die hard .243 lovers see anything wrong with that set-up for the .243? Just curious, hopefully I'm not hijacking the thread...?

Just go with the most accurate. Then be happy and don't worry.

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I must have a bad box of them. Shot a sample of two white-tails with my 6x47L and was not satisfied at all. Won't get into the Campfire pissing match so take it for what it cost.

I'm not interested in an argument either, but if you would elaborate on why you were dissatisfied I'd appreciate it for informational purposes.

MM, bullets hit ribs going in and splattered for the most part. One at distance and one around 50 yards. Both took an extra shot to humanely put them down. First game I had ever shot with them. I know they must work well normally, based on lots of credible testimony. That is why I tried them. They also shot real well.

Thanks.

I don't remember off hand what MV I'm getting, but I'm typically shooting about 41 grains of one of the 4350's out of a 20" barrel. My camp mate is doing the same with 95 grain SST's and he hasn't caught one, yet there have been reports of them blowing up too. It's hard to be right if you say anything will always do this or always do that. The minute I say one won't ever blow up it'll cost me a big buck or something.

Bout as good as it gets in a non premium bullet. Like peas and carrots, white tails and 95gr BT equal dinner. I fantasize about the perfect projectile and it would be a Barnes inside of a BT jacket with just a little lead core over the top and then the color coded tip. Those tips don't taste too good but I guess they have a purpose.

Just Received 600 95.B.T'S In The Mail. And a New To Me Montana in 243AI.. Gonna Shoot Lots Of Stuff, I Also Picked Up 5 Pounds Of Varget And R-15,R-22 And Pound Of RL-25.. Hope To Make Good Things Happen..

When I lived in Montana, Me and my family used this bullet (95 BT) in a 243 to take lots of deer. Works great. It sure can make some lung soup.

A good charge of R23 a WLR primer and a 95 gr BT from my Tikka gives me almost 3200 and half inch or less groups.... I have killed many with both the 90 and the 95 gr over the years. Never a problem.