Nosler 180gr Ballistic Tip bullets
- Thread starter skhunter
- Start date
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- Western Manitoba
Would not be my first, second or even third choice, but likely better than a rock?? Even a "sharp stick" (arrow) works well when properly applied. B-Tips seem to be designed as "deer bullets" - expand rapidly after very little penetration. Some efforts, apparently, to thicken up the jacket on some, but I do not know if the 30 caliber 180 grain were one of them... If you can guarantee to slip one between ribs, on a quartering away shot, will likely drop it like a stone. Hit shoulder bone and pretty much have a mess to deal with, if you ever catch up to it...
I do believe that the older ones that came in red and black boxes were much tougher - once Accubonds came out, do not know about later made ones. Sort of like Hoppe's #9 - used to be very useful - established a reputation, then cheapened up and changed - people still buy and use it thinking it works like the "old" stuff, but it does not.
I do believe that the older ones that came in red and black boxes were much tougher - once Accubonds came out, do not know about later made ones. Sort of like Hoppe's #9 - used to be very useful - established a reputation, then cheapened up and changed - people still buy and use it thinking it works like the "old" stuff, but it does not.
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The NBT's are pretty stout bullets... I have used them (.25 cal 115, 6.5mm 140, 7mm 150, .30 cal 150/165/180) on game. They got the job done and largely stayed together with a nice mushroom. I am using the .30 cal 180 in a .30/06 and 7.62x57.
I would bet a good amount that on an equal hit to the lungs, the 180 NBT will kill as thoroughly and cleanly as the NAB on moose. Where the NAB would have the edge is on an odd-angle shot or if heavy bone is struck. A disciplined hunter can put the 180 NBT to good use on most NA game.
It's worth noting that there are 2 different Ballistic tips floating around out there.
The early design Ballistic tip [came in boxes of 100 first, then later in boxes of 50]
tended to be a bit fragile if driven at magnum speeds.
The later ballistic tip, labelled "Hunting" have quite sturdy jackets, and stay together
considerably better. They have only ever come packaged 50 to a box.
I would be reasonably comfortable whacking a moose with the latter bullet from a 300
Magnum.
Through the ribs, either will work fine, but if the shot is a bit less than ideal, I lean
toward the tougher bullet. Dave.
The early design Ballistic tip [came in boxes of 100 first, then later in boxes of 50]
tended to be a bit fragile if driven at magnum speeds.
The later ballistic tip, labelled "Hunting" have quite sturdy jackets, and stay together
considerably better. They have only ever come packaged 50 to a box.
I would be reasonably comfortable whacking a moose with the latter bullet from a 300
Magnum.
Through the ribs, either will work fine, but if the shot is a bit less than ideal, I lean
toward the tougher bullet. Dave.
The 180 NBT and 180 Accubond are identical except for the bonding. They aren’t cup and core, they are made by a process called impact extrusion. Cup and core jackets are made out of sheet metal. A hunting ballistic tip is considerably more than half copper, and as such is a different breed of cat. I’ve put 180s right through moose’s shoulders with a .300 Win. You can do that with a Hornady Interlock fer crying out loud.
Guys have to get over second and third hand stories about bullets made before they were born.
Guys have to get over second and third hand stories about bullets made before they were born.
