Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles ?Roundnose vs spitzer?

I know that we've been over this before, a little bit, but I'm just wondering. Using a 6.5x55,7-08,7x57,308 at close to factory FPS, is there any advantage to roundnose bullets over spitzers, or vise-versa? I'm talking about pigs/deer up to 200lbs and under 150yds, using the 7mm 154gn and the 308, 150gn. thanks, capt david <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Given similar weights and jacket/core construction, there's not really any benefit to either bullet type at the ranges you mentioned. The RN does do a little bit more damage near the entrance because, usually, the nose expands over caliber diameter a bit quicker than a spitzer does. However, the difference is so small it's almost indistinguishable. Basically pick what you like best and use it.

A while back, either Rifle or Handloader did a penetration and weight retention test of the available 30 cal, 180 grain bullets at that time--1997 I think. What was suprising was the the round nosed, conventionally constructed bullets held together and penetrated very well--better than the conventionally constructed spitzers and almost as well as the Nosler Partition.

I'd hazard to say with non-controlled expansion bullets, round-nosed bullets will have a bit better terminal performance than spitzers at close and medium ranges. However, the controlled expansion spitzers win hands down over conventionally constructed bullets--either round-nosed or spitzer--because of their combination of terminal performance and ballistic efficiency.

Having said that, deer are usually very easy to kill and most anything works decently if reasonably placed. Hogs are a bit tougher, but either bullet you mention has and will work well for deer/hogs up to 200 lbs.