Hi guys, I've found a cheap source for a couple of hundred 30 cal 165 grain Nosler "solid bases".

I've never heard of this bullet before, would it be any good out of an 06?

TIA,

A

They've been brought back. Might not expand as well in smaller animals, but something better for elk sized game in an '06.

These looked like pretty old boxes.

They were red and black I think.

Great bullets!

Amir,

Just after Dinasours were extinct; Nosler began making the Solid Base (why I know this) in 2 versions; Target & Hunting.

Both perform similarly to today's Ballistic Tips and they also had a reputation as accurate bullets.

If they're a good price then load 'em up.

IIRC - white/black/gold or red/black/gold boxes.

As far as I'm concerned they were the finest cup-and-core bullet ever made. I believe that Nosler discontinued them because they provided performance far too similar to the Partition, but at a fraction of the cost of the Partition.

I use them exclusively (from my hoarded supply) in game loads for my .243 and .270, and for loads in various .30 calibers. I have so much confidence in them that I selected the very 165 grain bullet of which you speak for my .30-06 which I took to Africa as my back-up rifle (actually, the sole back-up rifle for our entire group). I used it to take a baboon and a jackal, and while those are hardly bullet-challenging targets, I would not have hesitated to use it on anything from springbock to wildebeest or even zebra.

While the "conventional" jacketed lead fore portion acts pretty much like you would expect any well-made cup-and-core bullet to act, the rear portion with its solid base of guilding metal serves somewhat the same function of the rear core of a Partition, supporting the fore-portion and ensuring deep penetration. In informal penetration tests I've conducted using dry paper as the medium, the Nosler Solid Base penetrates measurably deeper than a Speer or Sierra of the same weight, and almost as deep as the rear core of a corresponding Partition. At the same time, the upset of the nose is excellent. I've never found the Solid Base lacking in expansion on light game the size of small deer.

Although Nosler does not catalog the Solid Base any longer, they do still make it from time to time to sell in bulk to ammunition companies. When there is a production overrun, they sometimes sell the surplus as "seconds" through their Shooters Pro Shop. I haven't seen any in a couple of years, but every time I do I stock up again.

Oh yes, accuracy is generally at least equal and usually better than anything on the market. In fact, I have virtually no rifles which do not shoot the Solid Base bullets well.

Amir, Stoney pretty much nailed it.

The Solid Base is the Grandfather to today's Ballistic Tips. In fact, the BT's were originally called, the Nosler Ballistic Tip, Solid Base, bullet.

For years, the 150gr SB was my goto bullet for the .270 Win. I was always impressed with the limited meat damage. I recovered one from an antelope. It was a 300 yards facing shot. Bullet entered his chest, and I found it against one of his hip bones. It shot through over 3 feet of antelope, and weighted in at 95 grains.

As far as accuracy is concerned, they always shot better then partition, but not quite as good as the new BT's.

I still have a large supply of the 130gr solid base for the .270. They were seconds with the cannalure, so they were an overrun, I'm just not sure who they were for.

Bottom line, they are a very good bullet that you can shoot with confidence.

Thanks Lads, looks like a no-brainer at twenty quid a box.

Thanks again.

A

The Solid Base is an impact extruded jacket just like the Ballistic Tip and was the forerunner to the BT. They are not the same thing as a cup and core since the base is much thicker than a drawn cup.
The BT is a longer bullet due the light weight pointy tip and the air space inside. I think the BT has better velocity retention due to the sharper point.

I suspect Nosler changed to the plastic tip to differentiate their non partition bullets from the rest of the crowd and make them seem worth a higher price.

quote:

Originally posted by Ghubert:
Thanks Lads, looks like a no-brainer at twenty quid a box.

Thanks again.

A

I just found a box of .224 55g black and red box of these solid base Noslers.

I hesitant to say this but the price on the box was an outrageous $7.95 for the 100.

They do have a think base on them but still not as thick as the NBT. As per sectioned bullets. I used them back them for deer until the NBT came out as the NBT were more accurate than the solid base and just a whisper more accurate than the Sierra HPBT Match 52g .224 bullet.

I would buy those rascals up if I were you.

That 20 quid does sound a wee bit dear. Is that how reloading supplies are priced over across the pond?

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
The Solid Base is an impact extruded jacket just like the Ballistic Tip and was the forerunner to the BT. They are not the same thing as a cup and core since the base is much thicker than a drawn cup.
The BT is a longer bullet due the light weight pointy tip and the air space inside. I think the BT has better velocity retention due to the sharper point.

I suspect Nosler changed to the plastic tip to differentiate their non partition bullets from the rest of the crowd and make them seem worth a higher price.

Thanks for the info SR, I haven't used ballistics tips so far, mainly because most deer managers in England seem to hate the damage they do on carcasses.

The solid bases sound like good bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by TEANCUM:

quote:

Originally posted by Ghubert:
Thanks Lads, looks like a no-brainer at twenty quid a box.

Thanks again.

A

I just found a box of .224 55g black and red box of these solid base Noslers.

I hesitant to say this but the price on the box was an outrageous $7.95 for the 100.

They do have a think base on them but still not as thick as the NBT. As per sectioned bullets. I used them back them for deer until the NBT came out as the NBT were more accurate than the solid base and just a whisper more accurate than the Sierra HPBT Match 52g .224 bullet.

I would buy those rascals up if I were you.

That 20 quid does sound a wee bit dear. Is that how reloading supplies are priced over across the pond?

Utter bastards.......

You've got to believe me when I say £20 a hundred for stock so old the dinosaurs roamed the earth when it was originally ordered ( tips hat to the Gerry-meister here ) is bloody good.

Ordinary 30 cal Hornady interlocks are $60/100, Speer hotcors $50/100, Nosler paritions $135/100 and Swift A-frames around &165/100.

Powder is $65-$75 a pound and primers around $60-$70 a thousand.

Oh and gas is $2.15 a litre...........

Ripp-off Britain we call it.....

Geedubya on these forums often teases me by posting pictures of his bullet stash, knowing that in the UK such a thing would practically have to be listed on the home insurance!

I have used the very bullet of which you speak, 30 cal 165 in my 3006 for deer hunting. I still have a few. In my opinion although there has been comparison s to the ballistic tip, in my opinion it behaves much more consistently than the ballistic tip, always giving good expansion but always holding together, unlike the explosive effects I had with the ballistic tips. For elk I would use the 165 or preferably the 180 partition.. I would buy them and use them.

Nolser made two types of Solid Base bullets one was the "expander" in some calibers that was their varmint bullet then they made the standard Solid Base in all calibers that was the Spitzer bullet they put on the label.

Nolser then replaced those bullets with Solid Base BT varmint bullet and Solid Base BT hunting bullet. Nolser never catalog the expander but they labeled the box Expander. Out of habit I have few of those Expander boxes still factory seal.

Cutting to the quick, they were one hell of a good bullet that heavy thick base drove them deep into the animal and they always expanded wide and they killed very well indeed, the best of cup and core type bullets albiet they were not exactly a cup and core as the base was the driving force that made them work so well and like most great bullets they had to "improve it" and we got the Balistic Tip that is a much more fragile bullet..

If you don't buy them give me a holler and I will or if you want only a partial of them then I'll pick up the slack for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Cutting to the quick, they were one hell of a good bullet that heavy thick base drove them deep into the animal and they always expanded wide and they killed very well indeed, the best of cup and core type bullets albiet they were not exactly a cup and core as the base was the driving force that made them work so well and like most great bullets they had to "improve it" and we got the Balistic Tip that is a much more fragile bullet..

If you don't buy them give me a holler and I will or if you want only a partial of them then I'll pick up the slack for you.

Thanks Ray, I think North London might be a tad out of your way but if you are still keen, by all means have first dibs.

I am willing to do anything short of breaking the law to get them to you.

Best,

Amir

I like them so much I own 30 boxs of .277 130 grainers, these are the Cosmetic Blems from Nosler Pro Shooters Shop. You would not beleave the price so I will not bother to tell. They are deadly in all four of my .270 WSM's. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by phurley5:
I like them so much I own 30 boxs of .277 130 grainers, these are the Cosmetic Blems from Nosler Pro Shooters Shop. You would not beleave the price so I will not bother to tell. They are deadly in all four of my .270 WSM's. Good shooting.

Go on, tell me.......

It gives me ammunition when ranting about the situation in the UK to my friends at the rifle club....

I got mine for $5.00 a bag of 50.

Antelope Sniper blew my cover. Every time I told a buddy about them, they wanted to order a few and I would order another ten boxs. The last 20 I bought were in the regular retail boxs instead of the sacs, go figure. Not only are they super accurate, they are excellent hunting bullets. Good shooting.

Phurley, at that time, they also had the .243, 100gr solid bases for the same price. I almost bought a .240 Weatherby just so I'd have something to shoot them in.

I have to fully confess, I also bought a "few" of the following. 140 grain .277 Accubonds and Ballistic Tips, 130 and 150 grain .277 Partitions, 160 grain .284 Partitions, 120 grain .257 Partitions, 95 grain .243 Ballistic Tips and Partitions, 100 grain .257 TTips "no lead", 180 grain .308 Partitions-200 grain Accubonds. Lets just say my great grandson will not have to buy any bullets and would be utterly amazed at what I payed for those he will be shooting. Good shooting.

Ok you can stop now lads.....



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