I have heard from others that the bullet worked very well on thin skinned animals. The bullet is very much like a nolser hunting bullet. The bullet does does stay together like a partion or a bearclaw. If that helps. I had thought about using them for deer. I did read that the Swift scricco was a fully bonded bulet and would perfom much like a heavy game bullet. But have not talked to any one who has used on e on a deer or elk.
The 139 gr Hornaday (flat base) is capable of fine sccuracy. IMR 4831, max load, seated long would print sub 1/2" groups at 100 yds all day long in my mod 70 Winchester. It was a dependable one shot Caribou slayer out to 450 yds or so. I have not had as good luck with the boattail version of this bullet, accuracy wise.
Posts: 324 | Location: Fairbanks Alaska USA | Registered: 10 June 2000
The 139 gr .284 Hornady,is an interlock design.Unlike the Nosler Ballistic,it will exit more readily than the Btips.Leaves a good blood trail.I use both.They both perform well on deer. 1geejay www.shooting-hunting.com
You know, call me old fashioned but I don't know why any one would use 139 grain bullets in a 7-mag. I have been shooting a 7 mag since 1962 and 150/160 grain bullets will do the job (work) better, at short or longer range, with better energy & velocity retention every time.
The 139 Hornady's are usually pretty accurate, but they destroy too much meat at ranges under 200 yards and at ranges longer than that, they have less energy than a 150 grain bullet started at 3000+ fps. Use the potential of the 7 mag to it's fullest with heavier bullets. The 139's were intended for the puny 7mm's.
Sorry KuduKing, have been reading AR a little less during the summer, didn't see this until today.
Best group I have shot with my Steyr Scout is 7mm @ 100m was with the 150 gr SST. 45.5gr VV N540, Norma cases, CCI std large rifle primer, OAL 72mm.
I have loaded up to 49 gr of VV N540 (over published max, I take no responsibility for others use of data), copy of what I've written about it before follows: 5 shots, 150gr. Hornady SST driven by 49gr VV N540 in Norma cases and CCI lrp200. OAL 72mm, slight crimp with Lee factory crimp die. Avs 864 m/s (2834 fps), ES 18 m/s, SD 7m/s. The first shot was the one that was furthest from avs, 853 m/s, I'm a bit suspicious about that one... Anyway, 4 shots landed in a group 1" horisontally, <1/2" vertically, with one flyer about 2" from the others... Center of main group 3" high, perfect in side (except flyer). Shot at 100m+ (guess some 120 yard) using bipod.
Realized I didn't specify it's a .308 win. And for the second group I was using the 2.3x Leupold scope thats standard on the Scout.
[This message has been edited by Mikke (edited 09-13-2001).]