Hello all,
I’ve read here of the reputation the Nosler 7mm 120 Ballistic tip has earned on Whitetail deer and larger game at velocities from around 2,400 FPS and up. Is the 30 caliber 125 Ballistic tip more of the same? Or is it constructed more like one would expect a 125 gr. 30 caliber bullet to be?
I’m on a mission to load for a small stature young shooter for his first Whitetail hunts. I’m thinking he should be able to handle velocities in the 2,400 to 2,600 FPS range and distance for him will be limited to 150 yards, and most shots less than 100 yards.
Any experience with this bullet in similar velocities. Is it the big sister to the 7mm 120? Or structurally less bullet?
Thanks for your help,
Rick

Deer.

Don’t overthink it.

They are hell on deer.

Take a sharp knife, you are going to need it.

works well in 3030. hogs hate it. 4 deer later still haven't caught a bullett.

I am loading the 125NBT in several of my 30-06's and they work great, at least on the last two large bucks I have killed with them. I did recover both bullets inside hide on opposite side of deer but both were no perfectly broad side and both bullets made contact with bone. The bullets looked like they should be used in an add for perfect bullet performance as they were mushroomed perfectly. I load them with a middle of the road charge of IMR 4350 and the load has worked great in 4 different 30-06's that I have tried them in. It is my deer bullet of choice when I am after a big buck, I break out the 25-06 after I have filled my buck tag and after a few meat does.

I think back when Nosler first put out the 30cal 125gr NBT they marketed it, or people assumed, that they were varmint bullets but I have read numerous times that the newer bullets have a thicker jacket and are designed for deer sized game. My experience has proved to me that they are great as neither buck moved from where he was last standing before bullet hit him. I have never cronyed them but I would assume they are right at 3000 FPS.

HeavyBarrel

They are wonderful! I even loaded them for a friends 30-06 and he used it exclusively in WA for coyotes and mule deer! I had going right at 3100 and recoil was minimal. I would try for 2500-2600fps, no need to go slower.

No problem . I load a lot for my granddaughters and daughters in law. I generally use Nosler Bal tip in light for caliber weights to help control recoil. Another valuable tool I use Hodgdons reduced recoil load formula to further reduce the recoil. Hodgdon says you can use as little as 60% of H4895 maximum listed for a given caliber and bullet weight. I have had no problem using this method in finding an accurate load. Go to their website and check it out. https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf
Phil

Thanks for all the help and replies. I have a small stash of the coveted SR4759 which was made just for this purpose. I’ve also found IMR4227 to be a good substitute. Not sure where I’ll end up velocity wise in his rifle but 2,500fps or a little more should be doable. It’s my understanding Remington uses a powder similar to 4198 in their Managed recoil loads which should give a bit more velocity but I haven’t worked with that powder nearly as much as the other 2.
It sounds like I’m on the right track with the 125 Ballistic tip!
Thanks again,
Rick

I killed 2 antelope with 30 cal 125 grain BTs 2 seasons ago. Both at about 140 yards. One bullet exited and one didn't. Both antelope dropped at the shots. The one that didn't exit broke up and the jacket was against the neck skin with a several pieces of lead. Slight angle, with the bullet striking behind the shoulder and going forward stopping at the base of the neck, about 4" in front of the opposite shoulder.

The rifle as a 308 Winchester and I chronographed the speed at 2914 fps at the muzzle. At a bit slower speeds I bet the rounds would go somewhat deeper. I'd bet you'll be just fine.

Yeah put in the lungs.

I'd keep it in the lower velocity range you mentioned. It's a wonderful "youth" load bullet at 2400 - 2600 fps. I used it in my .30 Herrett Contender pistol at slightly less zip and it performed well. You didn't mention the cartridge, Rick, so no loads here.

It’s a youth model 308. His dad has him shooting full house factory loads. Not sure if 150’s or 180’s. He weighs about 80 lbs and is 10 years old. I’ve already cautioned about a flinch and dad says he’s already pretty good at that.
I volunteered to help. When my boys were young they hunted with a 308 with 150 grain 30-30 bullets and 2400 powder. The longest shot I remember any of them taking was probably a bit less than 100 yards and it worked well for several deer. It should have as a 30-30 with 150’s work well under the same circumstance.
Thanks for all the help and comments,
Rick

It will work just fine. A bud of mine used the 125 Ballistic Tip in a 308 with a full tank of 748 several years ago.

He shot one antelope twice, even though the first one was a killing shot but the does had him wanting to stay alive so he gave him another and another bud used the same rifle later in the day to kill his antelope.

I think they recovered 1 bullet and it was a perfect mushroom. I wouldn't be one bit scared.

If you were a little worried step up to the 130 grain accubond.

They will be great, consider the H-4895, it works well!

It’s hell on deer in my sons model 7 300 blackout. I have no qualms using them at all. Deer aren’t exactly hard to kill anyways. Wound channels have been very impressive for moderate speeds the blackout produces

I'm not sure of the powder, but I shoot 125 grain BT's in my .30-06. I was trying various loads and they happen to shoot the best. I've never had any issues with recovering deer. I don't have a chrono, but I imagine they're coming out pretty fast. Let me know if you want me to look up the exact load.

Killed a few with neck shots out ofa300BO. They all crumpled.

I shoot the 125 Acubonds out my LR-10 16" at 2850. They work great on deer and hogs. I think the BTs will work fine on Deer. But if you are worried about it use the Acubonds. Little more money but you aren't shooting allot of them.

I shoot them at 2300 fps in my 300 bo. They will work well from there to 3k FPS, in my limited experience.

Rick,

The 125 BT on top of some 4198 (either flavor) will be perfect for this application.

m

36 grains of 4198 is the sweet spot for that bullet weight.

If you ever want a mono bullet, the Barnes 110 or 120 black tips work spectacular from a 30-06 lightly loaded.

My late wife shot them in a Remington 788.
308 at 2900 Fps.
Recoil is light compared to big guns.
She took a few big 8 pt. bucks with no problem.
I bet it would well on coyotes.
She always got one shot kills.

Seen more than a few killed with them, all have been bang flops.

I'm going to load some of the Barnes 120s for a friend's young daughter in a .30-06. Please describe your loads and experiences.

You can run the 125 NBT and 125 NAB as well as the 130 Hornady SP (not the varmint version) at full throttle with great results. And even at 3,100 fps, they don't kick like heavier bullets. Even the 130 Hornady will blow thru a WT chest with good exit, lots of internal damage and usually DRT.

If a 125/130 will exit a WT, you may not need heavier bullets on that class of game. And the extra speed helps.

IMO.

DF

Dirtfarmer nailed it. I run 125 nbt at 3275 in my 06. Only good things happen.

exits????????? behind shoulder or front axles or both??? exits again very important?????? my boys tikka 308 win likes 150 bt's but if the 125's are more heavily constructed then i'll move to them.
thanks,
Big Ed

I've never shot a critter with it, but that stubby little 130gr Hornady has proven VERY accurate in a few .308's and the one 300 win mag I shot it in!

Roger that. I have some load data somewhere with both 4198's and two different 118gr match bullets.

I've been very impressed with it in the '06, on WT's, hogs and coyotes. LOTS of one shot DRT's.. Bullets do a lot of damage, hold together and usually exit. About perfect performance at reasonable ranges where we hunt. And, they're not expensive. Never tried one in the .300 WM.

59 gr. BG in the '06 with mag primers is a great load.

DF

The 125 grain Sierra ought to be a good one too. You're not pushing for blowup impact speeds.

The 125 Sierra is much tougher than most realize.

My uncles hunting pard has shot the Sierra in his '06 for probably close to 40 years. Never heard him complain and they are shot at archery ranges most of the time.

There's a video on YouTube of the blackout with the 125 penetrate 2 full blocks.

Has anyone shot the Blackout 110 gr. Barnes .30 cal out of a fast round?

I wonder if they'd be too expansive on critters at 3,200+ fps out of a .308 or '06.

DF

I've sent the black tips at blackout velocity.

dirt not a complete answer to your question but a hunting pards son shot a buck this past wkend with said 110 barnes outta 300 bo at whatever velos come in factory loaded guise. i'm assuming 2,200ish fps at the spout and the buck ran over 100 yds with little blood to follow after a perfect tight behind the shoulder shot by the young lad at approx 65 yds. the bullet penciled thru it appears and i let it be known that barnes bullets need to run warp speed to be useful and not slow where they don't even open much prolly. i recommended the 125 bt if he was gonna run em slow for the boy. looking at the deer you couldn't even see an exit unless you peeled the hair and found a pencil hole.
Big Ed

I've s3n the Barnes actually exit higher than the impact hole...like it planes upward.

Good info. I have 110’s and the machinery to blast them at “impressive” speed. Bet they’d make a splash at 3,400 or so. Maybe too big a splash. I’ve seen what a mess the 120 TTSX makes at 3,450 out of my 26 Nosler.

I’m a big advocate of balancing bullet design with speed for optimal performance. Monos are said to not have a velocity ceiling. Not sure that’s completely true.

DF

125s work great on whitetail. My 308 loves them.







200 yards

No telling how good that thing would shoot with hand loads...

IMO, 125/130 bullets in .308 and '06 are under utilized. They tend to be accurate and are deadly on WT sized critters. Tough on hogs and 'yotes.

And, recoil is less. That is, if recoil is even an issue with those rounds. But, heavy bullets in a really light rifle can wake you up.

With the lighter bullets, reduced loads aren't really needed, as full house loads are pleasant to shoot. You may get some blast with short barrels, but that's with most rounds.

Good shooting, BTW... Nice rifle.

DF

Try a 62gr 223 in a 30 sabot at light speed........not sure what they were good for, other than being entertaining as hell from a 300 bee....if you could hit the coke can.