Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 150 vs 165 grain Ballistic Tip from a .308?

It looks like mail order is getting to be about the only dependable way to get the Nosler loaded ammunition that I like. With my experience with the 140's from my 7mm-08, I've convinced my step-son to change into the NBT camp for his .308 Winchester. He isn't so disciplined to wait for an ideal shot presentation where he hunts, so I'm a little concerned with deep enough penetration for complete pass through with those 150's. Do the forum guys think that there would be an appreciable difference in performance between the 150 and the 165 grain Ballistic Tip from his .308 inside about 100 yards?

I’m hoping Brad is able to chime in here - I imagine he’s walked this trail before.

My experience with cup & core bullets-

Lung shots with 150’s will get pass throughs, shoulder shots 50/50. I’ve never caught a 165.

I use 150 gr ballistic tips in my 308 fist size exits are normal

No idea how big the animals are that are being hunted, but for added insurance on close-range shots and poor angles, I'd just go with the 165's. They're quite stout.

Considering I got a complete pass through from front to back with a .243 and 100gr bullets about a month ago, I’d not be too worried. It was the really premium federal blue box power shok.

You’re over thinking.

I vote 4 165!

The only bullet I’ve caught was a 140gr federal fusion from a .280 that went front hard 1/4 and found it in the offside ham just pushing out the skin. Shot was about 10 yards on a decent sized MN buck.

Otherwise I’ve had pass through on 55gr, 90gr, 100gr, 117gr, 120gr 130gr, 140gr, 150gr 165gr, 175gr, 180gr.

By far the most destructive was 180gr spire point Rem Core-lokt from a .308 win.

I’d go with the 165.

A behind the shoulder broadside lung shot, the 150 will be fine. Otherwise use the 165.

The 150 NBTs are tougher than some other common cup and core bullets. I get exits even at short range from various 300 mags. Plenty of penetration. If he hits a shoulder the deer probably won't be going that far anyway. Completely different bullet from something like an SST.

I think the question was which ballistic tip.

Sectional density will predict penetrating ability.

S.D . Above .25 is desirable 4 bigger game.

Still working from 100 cou t boxes I bought from a closing store, but those old 165s are
perfect I'm my 308. Rarely find one, deer rarely leave the immediate area, the few I've needed to look for left a good trail and quit in less than 125 yards.

The newer ones are supposed to be tougher, I'd probably go 150 to pick up somne speed.
Just a guess though.


When I run out, 150 or 165 Sierras will be the replacement.
Or, if they make them, 150gr Hornady.
Might have most of a box of those somewhere.

I have shot several deer with a 20" 308 using a 165 BT at just under 2700 fps, all have fully penetrated and no excessive damage noted.

I don't think so.

Might want to try the Barnes TTSX 130 or 150’s, the TTSX not the TSX

A young nephew shot a 210# buck front shoulder to opposite side rear leg with a .308 Win and the 130 TTSX just last month. Recovered the 130 from inside the opposite rear leg, likely the 150 would have gone on through the opposite rear leg too.

https://youtube.com/shorts/mGIhYAWZOP8?feature=share

Federal Premium 30-06 150grn BT pulled from a 140lbish WT my son shot this year. He shot it through the front shoulders and this was just under the hide on far side.

I've taken the last couple of whitetails using 165gr. bullets, never recovered any all were complete pass throughs. Little 6pt. buck went 50yds. or so, doe was DRT.

I apologize I get these abbreviations confused with nosier products.

I was confused with thinking nosler partitions we’re reccomended.

Thanks mathman I am in error.

I prefer the 150 to the 165 ballistic tips. I've been using the 150's in the .308 for a lot of years and almost always had a exit. Not sure I remember any that didn't exit, and some of them have been at hard angles. The one I remember most was at an angle through a front shoulder from an elevated stand...busted shoulder, traveled through a lung, stomach, and exited the off side lower gut. Messing gutting job but I thought it was impressive to still exit, especially after going through a shoulder then full stomach.

I used some factory loaded 165's this year in a .308 that I picked up on short notice. They worked just fine on one buck but I can't see a reason to go with them over the 150's.