Recommend me a 165 grain. REVIVAL!

[Potashminer]

What ranges with the hot cores? And reliable exits everytime? I'm a firm believer in exit holes, especially with all the swamp and brush around my neck of the woods I need a blood trail to find them allot of the time unless I get a head or neck shot. I'm also the dogger so I need em to drive on through on some less then ideal angles allot of the time.

No guarantees that I know of about exit holes. I had a most memorable mule deer buck that I fired at 7 or 8 or more times with my 7x57 - over the space of 30 minutes or so - prior to that one, I had taken 12 or 13 deer, over a number of years, with a single shot each. We were hunting the short grass coulees near the Frenchman River in South West Saskatchewan - 150 grain Partitions at really close to 2800 fps at muzzle. I did put three bullets into it - the first, the one described next and the last one - so the others had to have been misses. The deer had been hit and went down on the first shot - then got up and went over the top of the small coulee. We were not far from a National Park, so could not let it get to that fence line or we would not be able to recover it. Whole situation got worse from there. At one point, he got up from some buck brush, not far - like 100 yards - and was heading around the next turn in the little coulee - it was very obvious to follow that bullet's path when we skinned it - bullet entered ahead of right side hip / near rear end ribs - angle of that shot should have had the bullet come out it's centre chest - but was as if the bullet "skittered" along the rib cage, under the hide, but outside the ribs - when cutting that one up, found that Partition bullet laying sideways against a neck vertebra, on the right side, maybe two back from the skull. Bullet had been tumbling, I think - was flattened - rear core partially squeezed out - was laying nearly right angles to line of flight - that round did not kill or immobilize the deer - the next shot into the chest, from the side, killed the deer. It is also quite possible that the deer "straightened" out as I shot, and that bullet path was a true straight line by the time the bullet got there - but that bullet ended up sideways against the vertebra, after travelling more than 3 feet under the hide.

As far as HotCor ranges - very longest shot with it that I recall was close to 300 yards - it ran around a poplar bluff and did not emerge. Good blood sprays in the snow where he had been when hit - was down and done just inside the poplars. Was probably a "miss" - I was aiming to hit right front shoulder or just behind it - elevation was about correct, but bullet hit to the right of where I thought I was aiming - I had lead him too much - the bullet passed through thick part of it's neck and cut arteries - good blood sprays all the way on the tracks. Can not really remember the "closest" - probably antler-less mule deer - 25 to 30 yards in poplar stands - they just fell down where shot so no tracking - do not recall a concern about exit holes when deer is down and dead and within sight. My son's spike elk was down within sight so no tracking. My cow was a 200 yard shot - considerable tracking because I hit her too far back - through the liver - blood drips kept her tracks sorted out from other elk tracks in the snow until I was able to finish it.

 

[trapoholic]

Since nose damage to bullets results in little difference to accuracy, I don't know if your efforts will make much difference other than making you feel better. The importance of feeling better about our ammo should not be minimized; I deburr and uniform the flash holes in my brass, and I'd be hard pressed to prove a tangible benefit, but it makes me feel better. Certainly there are quite a few bullets available that utilize a protected point, but none are as affordable as the Interlocks. If the bullet nose surgery makes you feel better, by all means carry on. It might be worth weighing out your bullets to see to what extent the uniformity has changed, if at all. Another interesting experiment would be to compare the difference in trajectory at 300 yards between altered bullets and pointed bullets.

It makes me feel better deburring flash holes too. Having less exposed lead makes me feel better too. I like the idea of partitions, or maybe accubonds for exit holes.

No guarantees that I know of about exit holes. I had a most memorable mule deer buck that I fired at 7 or 8 or more times with my 7x57 - over the space of 30 minutes or so - prior to that one, I had taken 12 or 13 deer, over a number of years, with a single shot each. We were hunting the short grass coulees near the Frenchman River in South West Saskatchewan - 150 grain Partitions at really close to 2800 fps at muzzle. I did put three bullets into it - the first, the one described next and the last one - so the others had to have been misses. The deer had been hit and went down on the first shot - then got up and went over the top of the small coulee. We were not far from a National Park, so could not let it get to that fence line or we would not be able to recover it. Whole situation got worse from there. At one point, he got up from some buck brush, not far - like 100 yards - and was heading around the next turn in the little coulee - it was very obvious to follow that bullet's path when we skinned it - bullet entered ahead of right side hip / near rear end ribs - angle of that shot should have had the bullet come out it's centre chest - but was as if the bullet "skittered" along the rib cage, under the hide, but outside the ribs - when cutting that one up, found that Partition bullet laying sideways against a neck vertebra, on the right side, maybe two back from the skull. Bullet had been tumbling, I think - was flattened - rear core partially squeezed out - was laying nearly right angles to line of flight - that round did not kill or immobilize the deer - the next shot into the chest, from the side, killed the deer. It is also quite possible that the deer "straightened" out as I shot, and that bullet path was a true straight line by the time the bullet got there - but that bullet ended up sideways against the vertebra, after travelling more than 3 feet under the hide.

As far as HotCor ranges - very longest shot with it that I recall was close to 300 yards - it ran around a poplar bluff and did not emerge. Good blood sprays in the snow where he had been when hit - was down and done just inside the poplars. Was probably a "miss" - I was aiming to hit right front shoulder or just behind it - elevation was about correct, but bullet hit to the right of where I thought I was aiming - I had lead him too much - the bullet passed through thick part of it's neck and cut arteries - good blood sprays all the way on the tracks. Can not really remember the "closest" - probably antler-less mule deer - 25 to 30 yards in poplar stands - they just fell down where shot so no tracking - do not recall a concern about exit holes when deer is down and dead and within sight. My son's spike elk was down within sight so no tracking. My cow was a 200 yard shot - considerable tracking because I hit her too far back - through the liver - blood drips kept her tracks sorted out from other elk tracks in the snow until I was able to finish it.

Sounds like it was a fairly demanding shot for the bullet. Honestly it's my girlfriend's 308 and will be her first year hunting so that's why I'm looking for a stout bullet incase I gotta track it. I load 180 grain round nose interlocks for my 30-06 pump and they exit no matter the shot. I also shoot till it falls down or it's out of sight. But I've been hunting for 25 years and don't get buck fever anymore like I did in my teens. I've got all the patience in the world if I'm sitting and waiting. Bucks do still excite me though but I contain that till after it's fell down. Does and fawns are just meat, like shooting cows. I wanna stay in the 165 grain range for her 308 especially being a carbine. If I loaded 180's for her I might as well just get her a 30/30 instead

 

[Potashminer]

If she can shoot well with iron or aperture sights, a 170 grain 30/30 might be about ideal for the circumstances that you describe - I am sure there has been millions of deer taken with the 30-30 since it was invented... Pretty much a standard "beginner's" rifle, and "expert hunter's" rifle and everything in between. One of my first purchases in 1970's was a Winchester 94 in 30-30. I emptied it three times one day shooting at deer - yes, 21 misses in a row - decided there was something wrong with that gun and sold it... ... there was nothing wrong with that rifle, or its sights!!

 

[trapoholic]

If she can shoot well with iron or aperture sights, a 170 grain 30/30 might be about ideal for the circumstances that you describe - I am sure there has been millions of deer taken with the 30-30 since it was invented... Pretty much a standard "beginner's" rifle, and "expert hunter's" rifle and everything in between. One of my first purchases in 1970's was a Winchester 94 in 30-30. I emptied it three times one day shooting at deer - yes, 21 misses in a row - decided there was something wrong with that gun and sold it... ... there was nothing wrong with that rifle, or its sights!!

No I bought her a limited run 7600 in 308 carbine so that's what I'm gonna load for her. I've had many 30/30's over the years but I just buy them to flip them.

 

['Boo]

Now I'm looking for 308 bullet recommendations for exit wounds, no monos though. Won't use em.

165 or 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. No beat up noses in the magazine, exceptional accuracy, and with their solid base almost always exits on broadside shots.

 

[trapoholic]

165 or 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. No beat up noses in the magazine, exceptional accuracy, and with their solid base almost always exits on broadside shots.

I've thought about the 165-168 grain ballistic tips. In a perfect world we'd always get a broadside, head or neck shot. But the possibility for quartering to and away shots (hard at times) where we hunt are very high. Leads me to the bonded version of the ballistic tip if it comes down to it.

 

['Boo]

I've thought about the 165-168 grain ballistic tips. In a perfect world we'd always get a broadside, head or neck shot. But the possibility for quartering to and away shots (hard at times) where we hunt are very high. Leads me to the bonded version of the ballistic tip if it comes down to it.

I have shot lots of animals with both the Ballistic Tips and the Accubonds. I have never recovered a BT while I have found a couple of ABs.

I sent an email to Nosler asking why I was seeing what I was seeing and their answer is that the lead core in the AB is softer than that used in the BT as their "bonding" process requires a slightly softer core - which expands wider - to work well. With a 30 calibre cartridge I would not hesitate to use a 180 gr BT on moose.

 

[Butcherbill]

What's your guy's thoughts on this? Accuracy wise. For the sake of not getting banged up in the magazine and feeding ramp. Pictures of a Hornady 165 grain interlock.

Now I'm looking for 308 bullet recommendations for exit wounds, no monos though. Won't use em.
View attachment 441652
View attachment 441654

From my limited experience hunting with the hornady 165gr .308 Interlock, I’d have no hesitation using them again. Had a full pass through on a big WT buck this nov, exit hole was big enough to almost put my fist through it. Found next to no fragments while butchering and meat damage was no different than any other 150gr or 180gr sp I’ve used in the past, was pretty impressed with them. This was the first year I’ve used them as well as the .308 for hunting, will use them again without hesitation.

 

[nowarningshot]

I have loaded for a Win M70 in 308 Win since late 1970's. Started with Sierra 165 grain - just outstanding little 3 and 5 shot groups on targets, but two deer in a row had jacket and core all the way through and one had no exit hole. So switched to 165 Speer Hot Cor Soft Point with flat bases - #2035 - Those are the bullets that my son uses in it these days. We have taken many dozens of white tail and mule deer with it, and each of us has taken an elk with it during the time we had it. If/when we run out of those #2035 and I can not get any more, will be loading up 150 and 165 Partitions and seeing which shoots better groups in the rifle - and we will go with whichever wins, although an acquaintance is quite sure that we should at least try the Accubonds in similar weights. Muzzle velocity on my Shooting Chrony is always right around 2,800 fps, just like given in Speer and Nosler manuals, so I do not think anything "drastic" will change using Partitions instead of the good old Hot Cor in that 308 Win.

We hunt mostly in Saskatchewan. 200 pound live weight deer are probably just a bit more than "normal" size here - over the years we have had a number of carcasses - hanging, ready to cut up - that were over 200 pounds - white tail and mule deer. My son's was a spike elk, and mine was a cow elk, taken with that rifle and load.

The.partition is the bullet others like to compare their bullets against. They are prone to tip deformation. At.308 velocities and sub 75 yards, your going to notice zero difference on deer with a decent cup n core bullet.

 

[Potashminer]

Partitions - I will take the lead from Ganderite, that they might be just a fad - but I will admit I am willing to try them next, when the ones I have been using for 40 plus years in that 308 Win no longer work because the deer started reading hunting magazines about bullet selection for deer hunting, or those Speer bullets are no longer available... Was quite a "scene" when I bought my first Shooting Chrony - several of the "old boys" were going to show this "kid" a thing or two - kid was using a 308 Win, when everyone knew that a 30-06 had so much more "power" - did not work out that way on the numbers screen on the Chrony, so the chronograph was a bunch of "BS". My 308 Win hand loads as per Speer manual, versus their store - bought various brands - "cheapest" - 30-06 ammo.

 

[Bare]

165 woodleigh ppsn
165 accubond
Speer hotcor
Ballistic tips

 

[Potshot21]

Delete

 

[trapoholic]

From my limited experience hunting with the hornady 165gr .308 Interlock, I’d have no hesitation using them again. Had a full pass through on a big WT buck this nov, exit hole was big enough to almost put my fist through it. Found next to no fragments while butchering and meat damage was no different than any other 150gr or 180gr sp I’ve used in the past, was pretty impressed with them. This was the first year I’ve used them as well as the .308 for hunting, will use them again without hesitation.

If I can drive a 168 grain ballistic tip through ribs on a quartering to or away and get a exit I'll be a happy camper better yet the interlocks. Flat base though, I feel like they'll hold up better than boat tail.

 

[trapoholic]

165 woodleigh ppsn
165 accubond
Speer hotcor
Ballistic tips

Where do I find woodleigh bullets? I've heard big things about them

 

['Boo]

Flat base though, I feel like they'll hold up better than boat tail.

Not all boat tails are the same. With the Ballistic Tips the lead core has flat base and the heal of the jacket that forms the boat tail is solid copper which is why they penetrate so well. The Ballistic Tip is nothing more than the old Nosler Solid Base with a pretty plastic tip.

 

[trapoholic]

Not all boat tails are the same. With the Ballistic Tips the lead core has flat base and the heal of the jacket that forms the boat tail is solid copper which is why they penetrate so well. The Ballistic Tip is nothing more than the old Nosler Solid Base with a pretty plastic tip.

I'm beginning to narrow things down now. I know the ballistic tips tend to get a little splody at times I've seen it happen with the 150's

 

[trapoholic]

Seriously considering these little fellas for her pistola. Been doin some research on em apparently they're tougher n stink.

 

[Butcherbill]

If I can drive a 168 grain ballistic tip through ribs on a quartering to or away and get a exit I'll be a happy camper better yet the interlocks. Flat base though, I feel like they'll hold up better than boat tail.

I’ve read more than one comment re: flat base over boat tail for interlocks and I’ll have to pull one of mine to see which it it, I was using factory loaded ammo. Did a great job at penetrating, I would’ve loved to recover the bullet just to see what it looked like and see how much weight it retained.

What I initially thought was the entry hole was not, there was a small bullet sized hole in the shoulder blade an inch or two from the rear edge. The bullet must have expanded a bit before entering the right side ribs, the exit hole is the biggest I’ve seen so far. Much bigger than the golf ball sized exit the 180gr Federal .303 so I shot a deer with last season.

Entry

Exit

 

[WhelanLad]

Where do I find woodleigh bullets? I've heard big things about them

Better Believe the Hype too )

 

[Ruger007]

Grand slam use to be the poor mans partition, hard lead base with softer front section, but still a heavier jacket then most bullets, they did the job.
Speer GS today are one alloy but still the heavy jacket.
Partitions are probably the best most consistent bullets ever made, half exlody, half drilly, so you get shock and pass through every time.

I have used lots of the grand slams. Also the hot cores. It is too bad that they are so hard to find. My 6mm rem loves the 100gr slams. Really likes the 105gr hot cores. Too bad those have been discontinued.