Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Is the .30 cal 125 gr Nosler BT a game bullet?

What do you think-- Is the 30 cal 125 gr Nosler BT a big (say, deer sized) game bullet or is it a varmint bullet?

Also, if you have some favorite loads for any 125-130 gr bullets in .30-06 I'd like to hear about them. I'm interested in getting them going fast. What kind of velocities can I expect from a 22 inch sporter at reasonable pressures?

Any experience you would like to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

In Noslers #4 reload manual is a .30-06 brief by Bob Robb. He says that the 125gr BT even at velocities over 3100 fps is ideal for varmints,and works nicely on smallish Coues deer and Pronghorn. Although Nosler got a top velocity of 3258 fps(24"bbl),top accuracy for ALL powders used was obtained at 3112 fps or less. Here is the data for their 3112 fps load which was also the most accurate load for that powder:
Winchester case and WLR primer
24" bbl 1-10 twist
Powder- IMR4831
start- 57.5 2942
59.5 3027
max--- 61.5 3112(most accurate w/this powder)

Here's their top velocity load:
Powder- N140
start- 53 3068(most accurate w/this powder)
55 3163
max--- 57 3258


til later

I've heard that the 125 makes a fair game bullet at 30-30 velocities and that some folks use them in various .30cal handgun rounds. I'd imagine the 125 from an '06 to be deadly if stuck in the lungs of a deer/goat/antelope, but it likely wouldn't be my first choice. Have killed a fair amount of stuff with the 150BT in various .30's.

It's a big game bullet at lower velocities, where I've always loaded them. In fact, I've gotten evidence of good expansion on deer down to 1800 fps out at 350 yards or so. I'd be leery of what they'd do at close range and the speeds noted above; the little pill would likely red mist much of a deer.

In general, light bullets at extreme velocity do not make for a satisfactory big game combination.

They work just fine as long as you're not taking raking shots.

So POP, you'll use this little varmint bullet on Deer but not a SMK of heavier wieght. Interesting to say the least..

It's made for longer range shots, where the terminal velocity is a lot less than the muzzle velocity. If you were shooting up close, why would you use it with a full load of powder? I'd use a mild loaded 150, 165 or 180 gr bullet.

I find the 125s work well for practice (loaded to same speed as 165 and 180-gr hunting loads), and as light hunting youth loads in the .308 and .30-06. The BT and Sierra make a super 200-yard target load for the Garand.

PS: The 168-gr SMK is not a fragile bullet, and will blow through deer at 300 yards. I don't use them, but a friend does, from his Ruger 77 heavy barrel .308. His dad uses them and the Gamekings from a Model 70 SS with 24-inch barrel that shoots 5 into .625 inches at 200 yards. They mostly hunt over their soybean field, where shots are 250 to 500 yards.

I thought Sierra says on their website that SMKs are not designed as a game bullet.

Chinook-I've taken (and seen taken) a small handful of deer/lopes with a 125 NBT out of an 60 pushed by R15. Make no doubt about it it'll do what you wish it to do.

The other option here would be the 130 TSX if you have any doubts. I've used the 125 NBT and I have no doubts whatsoever.

Good luck to ya!

Dober

a lot of the lighter bullets in the various 'deer calibers' will also fit this description.. hunters need to understand their bullets construction and its design parameter limitations.. unfortunately few do...

for kid loads, you'd be surprised of the lethality on the average deer with a 110 grain V Max at 30/30 velocities.... or 300 Savage Velocities.. same with the 125 grain TNT

I have had a few local kids have some good luck with 110 and 115 grain Speer varmint bullets in 7/08s and 7 x 57s fueled with a charge of 25 grains of SR 4759 with an MV in the 2300 to 2400 fps range..

That's what Sierra says. Since Sierra sells millions of the SMKS to the Military for use in Sniper rifles, means that Sierra will never recommend them for hunting. One of the reasons that the SMK is considered to be an acceptable FMJ (according to the Military definition) is because the bullet was not designed as an expanding bullet. The SMKs initial design is for extreme accuracy. The fact that the SMK does in fact expand and or fragment is well know and documented by the Military. The SMK is not the only military FMJ to do this nor the first.

I believe that NOSLER lists this bullet as a game bullet.

Bob