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Hello all,
I’ve read here of the reputation the Nosler 7mm 120 Ballistic tip has earned on Whitetail deer and larger game at velocities from around 2,400 FPS and up. Is the 30 caliber 125 Ballistic tip more of the same? Or is it constructed more like one would expect a 125 gr. 30 caliber bullet to be?
I’m on a mission to load for a small stature young shooter for his first Whitetail hunts. I’m thinking he should be able to handle velocities in the 2,400 to 2,600 FPS range and distance for him will be limited to 150 yards, and most shots less than 100 yards.
Any experience with this bullet in similar velocities. Is it the big sister to the 7mm 120? Or structurally less bullet?
Thanks for your help,
Rick

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Deer.

Don’t overthink it.


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They are hell on deer.

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works well in 3030. hogs hate it. 4 deer later still haven't caught a bullett.

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I am loading the 125NBT in several of my 30-06's and they work great, at least on the last two large bucks I have killed with them. I did recover both bullets inside hide on opposite side of deer but both were no perfectly broad side and both bullets made contact with bone. The bullets looked like they should be used in an add for perfect bullet performance as they were mushroomed perfectly. I load them with a middle of the road charge of IMR 4350 and the load has worked great in 4 different 30-06's that I have tried them in. It is my deer bullet of choice when I am after a big buck, I break out the 25-06 after I have filled my buck tag and after a few meat does.

I think back when Nosler first put out the 30cal 125gr NBT they marketed it, or people assumed, that they were varmint bullets but I have read numerous times that the newer bullets have a thicker jacket and are designed for deer sized game. My experience has proved to me that they are great as neither buck moved from where he was last standing before bullet hit him. I have never cronyed them but I would assume they are right at 3000 FPS.

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They are wonderful! I even loaded them for a friends 30-06 and he used it exclusively in WA for coyotes and mule deer! I had going right at 3100 and recoil was minimal. I would try for 2500-2600fps, no need to go slower.

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No problem . I load a lot for my granddaughters and daughters in law. I generally use Nosler Bal tip in light for caliber weights to help control recoil. Another valuable tool I use Hodgdons reduced recoil load formula to further reduce the recoil. Hodgdon says you can use as little as 60% of H4895 maximum listed for a given caliber and bullet weight. I have had no problem using this method in finding an accurate load. Go to their website and check it out. https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf
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Thanks for all the help and replies. I have a small stash of the coveted SR4759 which was made just for this purpose. I’ve also found IMR4227 to be a good substitute. Not sure where I’ll end up velocity wise in his rifle but 2,500fps or a little more should be doable. It’s my understanding Remington uses a powder similar to 4198 in their Managed recoil loads which should give a bit more velocity but I haven’t worked with that powder nearly as much as the other 2.
It sounds like I’m on the right track with the 125 Ballistic tip!
Thanks again,
Rick

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I killed 2 antelope with 30 cal 125 grain BTs 2 seasons ago. Both at about 140 yards. One bullet exited and one didn't. Both antelope dropped at the shots. The one that didn't exit broke up and the jacket was against the neck skin with a several pieces of lead. Slight angle, with the bullet striking behind the shoulder and going forward stopping at the base of the neck, about 4" in front of the opposite shoulder.

The rifle as a 308 Winchester and I chronographed the speed at 2914 fps at the muzzle. At a bit slower speeds I bet the rounds would go somewhat deeper. I'd bet you'll be just fine.

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Yeah put in the lungs.

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I'd keep it in the lower velocity range you mentioned. It's a wonderful "youth" load bullet at 2400 - 2600 fps. I used it in my .30 Herrett Contender pistol at slightly less zip and it performed well. You didn't mention the cartridge, Rick, so no loads here.


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It’s a youth model 308. His dad has him shooting full house factory loads. Not sure if 150’s or 180’s. He weighs about 80 lbs and is 10 years old. I’ve already cautioned about a flinch and dad says he’s already pretty good at that.
I volunteered to help. When my boys were young they hunted with a 308 with 150 grain 30-30 bullets and 2400 powder. The longest shot I remember any of them taking was probably a bit less than 100 yards and it worked well for several deer. It should have as a 30-30 with 150’s work well under the same circumstance.
Thanks for all the help and comments,
Rick

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It will work just fine. A bud of mine used the 125 Ballistic Tip in a 308 with a full tank of 748 several years ago.

He shot one antelope twice, even though the first one was a killing shot but the does had him wanting to stay alive so he gave him another and another bud used the same rifle later in the day to kill his antelope.

I think they recovered 1 bullet and it was a perfect mushroom. I wouldn't be one bit scared.

If you were a little worried step up to the 130 grain accubond.


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They will be great, consider the H-4895, it works well!

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It’s hell on deer in my sons model 7 300 blackout. I have no qualms using them at all. Deer aren’t exactly hard to kill anyways. Wound channels have been very impressive for moderate speeds the blackout produces

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I'm not sure of the powder, but I shoot 125 grain BT's in my .30-06. I was trying various loads and they happen to shoot the best. I've never had any issues with recovering deer. I don't have a chrono, but I imagine they're coming out pretty fast. Let me know if you want me to look up the exact load.

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Killed a few with neck shots out ofa300BO. They all crumpled.


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I shoot the 125 Acubonds out my LR-10 16" at 2850. They work great on deer and hogs. I think the BTs will work fine on Deer. But if you are worried about it use the Acubonds. Little more money but you aren't shooting allot of them.

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I shoot them at 2300 fps in my 300 bo. They will work well from there to 3k FPS, in my limited experience.

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Rick,

The 125 BT on top of some 4198 (either flavor) will be perfect for this application.

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