Nosler,hornady,sierra??? 150gr or 165

HammerDown!!! · #1 03-30-2011, 09:14 PM

Im new to reloading and im trying to figure out which bullet would be best for deer hunting.I shoot tikka t3 .308. I heard good things about nosler BT but there's a lot of brands to choose from. Anyone has suggestion???

Lefty-Canuck · #2 03-30-2011, 09:16 PM

What caliber is the rifle? I have found the BT to be a bit explosive depending on how fast you push them. Especially if you mis-judge and whack a shoulder with them.

Lefty

HammerDown!!! · #3 03-30-2011, 09:22 PM

308 winchester

densa44 · #4 03-30-2011, 10:53 PM

With those brand names I can't see a problem with any one of the bullets.

You say you are new to reloading, well buy all three, load up a few from each manufacturer and shoot them. I'm betting that the are all very good.

If you decide that there are some you don't want, sell them here.

Welcome to reloading, have fun shoot lots and don't quite till the holes all touch!

There are guys here who keep it up until they ALL go through the same hole. Maybe you can do that too.

Lonnie · #5 03-31-2011, 02:39 AM

150gr. bt. wuold be excellent for dear but if you hunt elk or moose the 165gr wuold be a better chioce & they work on deer to.

fordtruckin · #6 03-31-2011, 02:58 AM

165gr Hornady Interbonds!

HunterDave · #7 03-31-2011, 03:40 AM

Ahhhh, my infamous "exploding" bullets.

I took up reloading last year and I worked up loads for my 3006 with 165gr Nosler BT. I found them to be super accurate for my rifle so I didn't try any other bullets. I shot 3 deer with them last fall and they were all a couple of steps and drop or dropped on the spot. All three deer were shot in the boiler room with an entry wound and no exit wound. Everything inside of the deer was mush from the rapid expansion and they made an audible "smack" upon impact. I don't know what they'll do if you hit the shoulders but if you are hunting meat like I do, and aiming for the boiler room, then you will do well with them. A well placed shot will = maximum damage.

I've got no problem with the "through and through" hunters of even the shoulder shooters but the Nosler BT's work great for me.

I loaded a bunch of 300 win mag rounds with 180gr bullets that I haven't tried on a moose or elk yet but hopefully they work well. I've been told that the bullet is designed differently so they shouldn't expand as rapidly.

209x50 · #8 03-31-2011, 06:42 AM

Deer are soft critters and easy killed any of the bullets you've listed would work great. I've shot a lot of game with a .308 Win and Nosler BT. Moose, deer, elk and bear.

catnthehat · #9 03-31-2011, 06:58 AM

I have loaded thousands of Seirra 165 Game Kings in 308 cartridges for myself and friends over the years , it's a fine bullet.
Cat

SHORTMAG · #10 03-31-2011, 07:13 AM

I'm with HunterDave on this one...

.I've also had great results with the bullets you asked about. Both are exellent!! I've been using Nosler B/T's and B/Silv/Tips since they were available....never ever lost an animal with them. NEVER!!..

.270 cal up to 300WM..180 and 165 gr too...BTW...Moose included Dave.

..(165 & 180 B/T's)same results as your deer with "boiler room carnage"!!

NBFK · #11 03-31-2011, 07:53 AM

Ballistic tips are great if you shoot a little bit slower gun like the 06 or 308. I shot them out of my .284 win,300 win,7mm-08, and 7mm mag. They worked great accurate and deadly. I've seen my dad collect alot of moose and elk with 165 grain ballistic tips out of his 06. The lighter bullets in the faster magnums are a little bit more explosive thus prefering accubonds for them.

elkhunter11 · #12 03-31-2011, 08:29 AM

I have taken around 50 head of big game with Ballistic Tips, and I have yet to experience what I would call a bullet failure. Although they don't penetrate as well as the TTSX that I know use for most of my big game hunting, they still do a good job.

Phil · #13 03-31-2011, 01:33 PM

I load for 3 different 308's and use the Sierra Game Kings in all of them with good success. They shoot well, kill well when you put the bullet in the right spot and they don't break the bank.

Used to load the 165 but dropped down to the 150 several years ago to gain a little more velocity.These are loaded for Deer and Antelope.

If I was going to use the 308 for Elk or Moose I would load 165 or 180 grain Game Kings.

Phil

Tracker34 · #14 03-31-2011, 02:02 PM

My brother has dropped a few moose with 165 gr ballistic tips without a problem. Put it in the right place and he'll go down. My personal preference are 180 gr because that's what I found to be the most accurate out of my rifle.

HammerDown!!! · #15 03-31-2011, 07:10 PM

Yea i guess trying different bullets on a same day at the range doesn't sound like a bad idea!

Ill stick with 150gr since i don't think i will go after elk or mooses yet. I prefer using ballistic tips. I never really liked the idea of using a lead projectile to kill your next meal either. And after all, accuracy is the number one priority and balliastic tips seem to be the best in that division from what i read so far. Anyway ,the best way to make a great decision is to explore all the possibilities and combinations .hahahaha Heading to the range ! Gonna start with Sierra Game king i think....