Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Winchester XP3 or E-Tip Loads

The E Tip is by far the best bullet I've launched from a rifle barrel.

I did the test a year or two ago and to be honest didn't shoot all of those bullets into the exact same test media. It was basically the same setup each time so results can be compared IMO.
The TSX went the furthest(a couple inches more than the Partition), followed by the Partition, E-Tip, Accubond and XP3.
Impact velocity was right around 2920fps for the 180 grain bullets and probably about 3100fps for the 150 E-Tip.

As JB pointed out you can measure a difference in the media but probably couldn't tell much difference in actual animals.
And as far as results on actual game animals(elk) you guys have a way better idea of what to expect than I do.
Pretty sure all the bullets in my pic would work just fine though.

Guys, JB, Sam great info.

Sam, nice pictures. I've been curious about the E-tip since I heard about it coming out.

7STW, sounds like you have you tried the 150s? How is accuracy at 400-600yds in your STW?....and have you taken any critters with them?

Sam, thanks for aditional info. I actually plan on loading TSX for my various cartridges. But, until I get some rolled I had picked up some 200gr XP-3 for the 325 WSM. Today, I picked up some 150 E-Tips for my son's 7mm Rem Mag for his Lower 48 use, once he returns from Iraq. He will not be handloading, so I was looking for a factory load that would cover all. Seems as though it should work nicely.
Thanks.

Hi Sam,

Do you believe the E-Tip failed to match the TSX's penetration depth simply because it lacked mass i.e. 150gr E-Tip vs 180gr TSX?

HuntKY

I load 30 cal 150gr E's in 300 Win mag.I've taken some big game with them.All reports are good.Honestly only streched them out about 220yds on a moose.The rifle will print 3 shots at 100yds about the size of a loonie.Canadian dollar.

Will be working with the 140gr E Tips in my STW this spring.If they shoot I'll use them come fall.

Thanks, I want to give the 150s a try in my STW. Mine seems to prefer bullets that are 150 and heavier. A 150g E-tip would be interesting.

I use a 150gr Partition with my STW.The reason I haven't worked with the 150gr E Tip is the length.Don't think my barrel would like those long slugs.Plus I feel the velocity would drop off too much with those 7mm 150gr E's.

you think velocity would drop more so with 150 e-tip over a 150 part? why so? I run 150g SSII in mine currently. Tried 140 ABs and they just wouldn't group well.

I would call this outstanding performance from any bullet on game. The swelling is pretty indicative of single core bullet that has persormed exactly to specification. Those are lovely sample bullets. If you want less tissue damage, go heavier or don't shoot the shoulder if possible.

The length of the bullet.It has way more surface area.Plus the pressure difference could be a matter of a grain or 2.
I shoot 77grs of IMR 7828 with the partition.Doubt I'd be able to put 75grs under the E Tip.

4831 SC easily solved any capacity problems, in my 270, when loaded under the 130 gr E Tip. My final hunting load was 60 gr & chrono'ed at a hair over 3000fps out of a 24" barrel & tight chamber.
I simply have not seen much difference between the 130 gr E Tip & Partition. Velocity & pressures are where they should be, accuracy good, & performance on game great. E Tip may be a real improvement, terminal performance wise.
Time will tell.

I use the same powder for my 270 130gr E's.Stopped a 59gr.Shoots well but haven't shot game with the 270 E Tip load yet.Expecting good things though.

STW, thanks for the info.

10-4 HuntKY

I PM'ed STW and will share some information here as well.

I moly coated the 150 E-tip after reading that this bullet might cause higher pressures. I was trying the RL-17 for the first time.

The rifle is a Rem 700 with a 24" SS barrel chambered in 7 Rem Mag. I decided to use the 150 ballistic tip first to get a ballpark on the load with this powder. At 80-90 degrees the 150 BT was going 3275. I then worked up to the exact same powder charge and got 3285 fps with no signs of pressure with the 150 E-tip. Velocity is 3225 or so at 60 degrees. The e-tip shot accurately.

I shot my cow elk this last november at 80 yds with this load. It was a shallow quartering away shot with the bullet entering behind the shoulder and exiting through the center of the chest below the neck. The cow moved off in the brush but didn't drop. I followed and since she wasn't down I shot her again. This time she was 90 degrees, bullet entered behind onside shoulder and exited behind the offside shoulder. The exit wounds were small but the entrance wounds were large! Exits were approx 3/8" and entrance holes were 1 1/2" or so. There was plenty of internal damage and cow dropped right away with second shot.

Also loaded up some 150 e-tips with a 284 win. Also moly coated velocity was 3000 fps with RL-17. It is also very accurate. OAL is just under 3.1". Haven't shot anyting with this but will probably use it on javelina next month.

I have questioned Nosler's stated BC of .498. It seems low when compared to the shorter 150 Bt, BC .493. Nosler admits that it is a computer generated BC.

The cow elk that I shot this year at 400 yards I used the 150 grain ETip coming out of my 7mm Rem mag handload. My first shot hit the elk high and I thought I hit it in the spine, but the elk rose up, so I shot again, and as fate would have it, I hit one of the hind quarters, but the bullet went thru the elks hind leg, shattered the leg(bone) into many pieces, and exited the armpit area up front. That is with a reload of mine, at 400 yards, and a muzzle velocity of about 2950 fps if I remember right. So, yes, the 150 gr ETip, at 400 yards will shatter Elk bones and "keep" going. ....

My experience with the E-Tip (not vast, but around 20 animals and loading them in maybe 6-8 rifles) is that the bullets on the light end for the caliber such as 150 .30 don't create any more pressure than Partitions or AccuBonds. The really long ones, like the 180 .30, can require cutting back a grain or two.

Looking forward to working up a 180 etip load for my 300wsm. The factory ammo peformed well last season - better than I did.