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Reloading Ballistics question

plains scout
Yep. As per usual as my times to play with my reloading bench seem to get shorter and shorter I have a question that I will not be able to get worked out in time before deer gun season opens.

I have been working up a load for my .308 with 125 grn balistic tips which most accurate load so far is 3010 fps. I have not had time to work up a load with my favorite deer bullet .308 Partition with this new rifle

So 125 gr Balistic Tip at 3000 fps according to the book has the following ftlbs energy at the following yardage:

Yards:
100 2086
200 1731
300 1424
400 1163

and 180 Partition at 2500 fps is:
100 2052
200 1671
300 1347
400 1080

I feel the 125 grn Balistic Tip is not my bullet of choice but I think it will work okay on a whitetail out to max 300 yards. Thoughts and opinions. I really rather be shooting the 180 grn partition, but accuracy over ftlbs is usually my motto.

Just want to be sure my reading of the balistic charts has not went the same way as my mind: wandering and confused[:D]



"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
~Abraham Lincoln
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Travis Hallam
    Hi there my fellow badlands prairian,

    If you like the 180 go with it. The wind can not be that much more mild 40 miles west of me so it would play a bigger factor in accuracy in a 300 yard shot than 75 fps you gain from the 125 gr. Plus you should have more energy.

    Later, Travis.



    Mad Dog
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  • JustC
    I have yet to chrono my 125gr NBT load over 55gr of N140 in a 30-06 with a 22" barrel,..but I am betting we are close in MV. I shot a small deer last year with that load at maybe 10yds head on. The entrance wound was literaly from shoulder blade to shoulder blade[:0]. The base of the bullet and attached jacket (typical Nosler BT recovery at any range under 300yds) were found in the rear quarter upon skinning out. Some will argue that bullet failure,..and some will say it is acceptable due to a quick HARVEST and minimal meat loss due to a direct frontal downward angle shot from close range. I am inclined to feel that the nosler 125gr 308cal pill is more a varmint application whereas the 120+/- gr offering in a 6.5mm or 257 bore would be more acceptable with respect to jacket integrity and sectional density. Until that experience with the sika deer last winter, I would have recommended any Nosler Balistic tip in an applicable weight for deer hunting. However, after that I would have to argue against the 125gr 308cal NBT for any shot much less than 100-150yds as it will have slowed enough to not be as explosive and perform better in the penetration department. JMHO





    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • Tailgunner1954
    RCBS-Load shows the 125BT at 3010 produces the following velocity/energy/drift in a 10mph wind, assumeing that the rifle was zeroed in a no wind condition (so you can check your numbers). I won't comment on effect as I don't have experance with that bullet (I use a 150gr BT in my 30-06). As a general comment however, the BT's work better, at lower impact velocities, than the Partations do (Part's are designed for deep penatration on larger game at higher impact velocities, BT's are designed for expansion at lower impact velocities on medium game).

    125BT @ 3010fps
    100yd 2751fps/2100fp/0.73"
    200yd 2507fps/1744fp/3.22"
    300yd 2275fps/1436fp/7.71"
    400yd 2056fps/1174fp/14.52"

    180Part @ 2500fps
    100yd 2320fps/2151fp/0.73"
    200yd 2148fps/1844fp/3.18"
    300yd 1894fps/1573fp/7.56"
    400yd 1828fps/1335fp/14.09"

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • Iroquois Scout
    If this were my rifle I would junk the Nosler's and go with a good premium bullet that will hold together. My choice would be the Barnes 165 grain boat tail X bullet. The 165 grain is almost the perfect weight for the case capacity of the .308 Winchester. If you feel that you need a partation bullet, then go with the R.W.S. H Mantel bullet. This is the bullet that Nosler tried to copy when he started his bullet company, but never quite achieved the preference or success of the European bullet.
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  • plains scout
    agree with all on heavier and different bullet. I just did not get the load worked up for the Partition. I would like to try the Barnes. Problem is deer season is two weeks away and my days are filled with this stuff called work.



    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
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  • plains scout
    Well, I made it to the range tonight and took some off the shelf .308 150 grn Remington Core-loc and three into one hole at 25 yds and smacked up an acceptable but no bragging rights with 12 shots at 200 yds. So I guess I will shoot the 150's. I just like taking game with my homebrew as they usually are tighter and no flyers.

    I would not be afraid of using the 125 BT but at tight range could be a disaster. I went out last night with my .44 Mag lever action and smacked killing shots from 25 to 100 yards with open sights. So that will be my "brush" gun this year.

    Thanks for the imput guys.

    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
    0

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