I have a new Vangard that seems to realy like this load. Any one have experience with this bullet on deer.

It worked for me. Made by Hornady I believe, it is a hollow point design. Went from the south end of a deer and out the north end. Shot was taken at about 70 to 80 yards.

I have used the Winchester 120gr Positive Expanding Point on whitetails. It is basically a hollowpoint. I killed several with it, then lost a nice South Carolina buck that ran into a swamp. When found, it was evident that the bullet had blown up and failed to penetrate properly.
It would probably be fine if you limit yourself to broadside heart/lung shots, but I wouldn't trust that bullet to do much else.
I went to Nosler Partitions and never looked back.

been using the 120gr HP(i believe the same bullet)in my handloads for a long time. never recovered one. always got an exit. good tough bullet that will go thru shoulder and all.

No deer, but 150 lb pigs don't like 'em.

I guess a pard did shoot a doe with one; wnet in, went out, decent hole bang-flop deer.

I was told by Hornady that they do not make the PEP for Winchester and it is not the same bullet.

Sierra makes a 120gr HPBT Gameking that works very well on deer and hogs.Rick.

I have shot 3 deer with them at under 50 yards, all 3 turned the front of the deer into jello, the bullet came apart & ended up in 3 parts. They are very accurate in my rifle but I don't use them anymore.

I have recently acquired an Accumark which also came with 80 rounds of this factory ammo.

It seems to shoot just sub inch consistently and I thought I would tweak this performance with using the same bullet but hand loading. I assumed the Hornady 120 grn HP Interlock was the same bullet but it is not.

The Hornady bullet has a much sleeker ogive and the HP is of a match type variety. I am told by a friend though that the Hornady HP does expand reliably on game.

I bought 100 at the weekend and intend to do some development shortly. In the meantime I am using the factory rounds (120 grn PEP) on fallow and roe deer over the next 3 days so I will report back on performance once I have shot some animals.

Thanks

Jon: Can't speak personnally as to the effectiveness of the 120 PEP. But I think you will be pleased with the 120gr Hornady. Have only recovered one, and it traversed about 20" of a quartering away deer, coming to rest under the skin after breaking the off shoulder. Looked like a Hornady ad.

Three shots and three dead deer is 100% performance, can't get any better.Rick.

I have loaded the 130 gr hp Hornady in a couple 25-06's of my buddies, and they kill deer right now. I have also ran into Elk guides in Montana that use the same combination. I ask them how they performed; they said shoot them in the ribs and they may go max of 50 yards and fall over dead. Not much kick, but a lot of kill.

130 typo, I meant 120.

Since Hornady came up I will just note that according to Hornady their .257 120 gr. HP is designed for elk and heavy game. Despite the hollow point I doubt you have to worry about the Hornady "blowing up" on deer sized critters.

South Texas

Thanks. Yes will do ome development over the summer time ready for next season.

In the meantime my trip to our piece down south was successful as ever. We had an Itlian friend stay with us for the duration and we shot 22 animals all in all. I shot 4 of them with my .25-06 Accumark with the 120 grn PEP's. They performed well but to be honest no differently to 125grn BT's (.30 cal) in my go to Sako 75 .308

I had complete pass through's on fallow (dressed out weight being circa 70 lbs). Here are some photo's of the few days. I am on the left of the photo.