What is the Best...?
- Thread starter Wally
- Start date
You guys are loading 180s for your .308s? I thought 180 was to heavy to get good accuracy with a 308?
Yeah, I'm thinking more along the lines of price vs hunting performance. Expansion, knockdown power and -across the board accuracy- known as an accurate bullet in most guns.
Yeah, I'm thinking more along the lines of price vs hunting performance. Expansion, knockdown power and -across the board accuracy- known as an accurate bullet in most guns.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
If you're talking about "best bang for the buck" then it's hard to beat the Nosler Partition. In 30 cal for the 30-06, 300's and up the 180 is a fine choice. It is soft enough that it will expand, even on a 400 yard shot with a 30-06 but tough enough that it will withstand a 25 or 50 yard, full-velocity impact from a 300 Weatherby and above. They're inexpensive compared to other premium bullets and generally quite easy to get to shoot well. They're an old design and not as flashy as some new ones (not homogenous, bonded, tipped, ribbed etc) but they are the original controlled-expansion bullet and still perform as well (or better) than when they were first introduced. I've never heard of them failing in an apropriate circumstance and they've never failed me in 16 years of big game hunting. Better yet, they don't foul (in my experience) nearly as badly as some all-copper designs (no todbartell and Gatehouse, I'm not picking on your beloved TSX's - just my experience). If you're in an area that allows the use of lead-core bullets (ie not California) then they don't give much, if anything, up to other designs. Sure, Swifts are better for ultra tough game (ie Cape Buffalo - noticeably absent from your list) but for what you're hunting they cannot be topped. What more can you ask for?
My Remington 700 Mountain rifle in .308 win shoots 180's better then 165grn bullets.
Also with my reloads cronied and putting the results into a ballistics program from the web, after 50yards the 180 surpasses the 165 in velocity and does not drop as fast.
Sticker
Bang for your buck is hard to measure. The hunting factor doesn't really play too much into it, as you're only going to shoot a few at game each season. But if you are throwing hundreds down range in preparation, then you might be better served by a less expensive bullet that will still kill a moose.
If you aren't going to shoot that bullet extensively, then best bang doesn't matter. Shoot hundreds of cheap soft points all summer, then hunt with the $56 TSX's. That box will last you for years...
If you aren't going to shoot that bullet extensively, then best bang doesn't matter. Shoot hundreds of cheap soft points all summer, then hunt with the $56 TSX's. That box will last you for years...
- Location
- AB foothills
- Location
- AB foothills
No, work up a load for both but only shoot the cheap one for plinking and practice. Sight in with the partitions just before hunting season and you are ready to go.
Well, there are too many good ones in your list to pick only one. Try a couple and the one that shoot better would be my choice, the only one I would not choose as a multi purpose bullet would be the Ballistic SilverTip, I tried the Partition, Solid base, GS and Hot-Core, Pro Hunter and Accubond, all with very good results. BTip was accurate in my rifle but usually not as much weight retention and my experience with them is also lots of dammage (if your a meat hunter, not the best choice). Never tried Barnes because I was pleased with the other ones, they sure are pricey and only hear good about them.
Good luck
Good luck
BUM: LOL Well I'm not going to Africa any time soon so Cape Buffalo isn't on the list. I most likely only going to be hunting North American game 
It certainly looks like the Nosler Partition is getting a lot of support
Gatehouse said you can work up a load with the TTSX in 12 shots... how the hell do you do that? I've been loading 3 rounds at each powder level (.5gr increments) so I'm usually shooting 30 rnds JUST to test a bullet. I'm trying to figure out what shoots best in my rifle but man oh man, using 30 bullets just for testing is eating a hole in my wallet.
It certainly looks like the Nosler Partition is getting a lot of supportThat's VERY interesting. I have a 700 XCR compact tactical so I may have to try some 180's at some point.
This is very true. I'm going to be doing both paper punching and hunting but this load workup stuff is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gatehouse said you can work up a load with the TTSX in 12 shots... how the hell do you do that? I've been loading 3 rounds at each powder level (.5gr increments) so I'm usually shooting 30 rnds JUST to test a bullet. I'm trying to figure out what shoots best in my rifle but man oh man, using 30 bullets just for testing is eating a hole in my wallet.
Let's not forget that hunting accuracy and paper-punching accuracy are two different animals. If you can get 1-1/2" or better accuracy with good velocity at distances most encountered by your type of hunting, then perhaps that can be accomplished in 12 rounds. Most animals can't tell the difference between sub-MOA and hunting accuracy.
