I'm going mule deer hunting in November and was wondering if anyone had opinions on the best bullet. I was wondering which of the following would be the best as I don't know enough about penetration and bullet design. 100gr. barnes TSX, 117gr. sierra spitzer BT, 120gr. hornady HPFB, 120 gr. sierra HPBT.

What cartridge will you be using the bullets in? Given an appropriate cartridge, any of the bullets you list will be adequate for mule deer.

Sorry the gun is a 257 Roberts

Hey tap,

I suppose most folks on here would recommend a premium something or other and usually heavy for caliber.

I won't.

I've probably killed 3 dozen or so muleys and several dozen whitetails with my .25-06 and 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips at 3,525 fps. I've never had the infamous "blow-up" everyone talks about. All were one shot kills and only a couple didn't drop in their tracks, and they only made about 3 little hops before collapsing. I've never recovered a bullet and the exit holes have never been much over two inches diameter. Distances have been from ten feet to well over 400 yards.

"The .25-06 and 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips kill like chain lightning."

I use Speer 100 grain spitzer's in my Bob and am well pleased.

I'll defer to DoctorD on Muleys, but on white tails I've seen a couple of 120 grain BT's 'fragment violently' one deer went a long way. These were at high velocity close range however which isn't ideal according to Noslers data. I am a big supporter of BT's and if you're not gonna be shooting em real close, I wouldn't warn you off of them.

I will say I would prefer the TSX's though, if you get a raking shot, I think they will out penetrate the other bullets you listed. Just be sure the tips are actually open on the TSX's, I always take a small drill bit and make sure to clean out the tips on TSX's, I have proven that the tips can be, and often are, ocluded with copper, especially in the smaller calibers. Feeling I need to do this is why I am searching for the next best thing in a mono--which may be here in the TTSX already, I just don't have enough experience with them yet--nor have I read about enough!

Good luck, I hope you find a monster muley to test on!

Thanks everyone I just loaded some up with the TSX and IMR 4350. I'm going to give them a little test if the wind ever stops here and If I can't find a monster I can always find a doe.

I am going to hunt mule deer with 117 gr Sierra.
I went to the range Friday:

quote:

VZ24 8.5x25x50 scope, 257 Roberts Ackley Improved With big illuminates scope, Ruger tactical rings, no bottom plate or follower, no ejector, military stock stripped down, cut down, oozing epoxy, Eagle bag, no sling, no recoil pad = 11.5 pounds as tested
2.912", Sierra 117 gr soft point # 1640 moly coated 51.5 gr H4350 Quickload predicts 3181 fps 63.5kpsi
0.47" 3 shot group at 50y
3252fps
3284fps
1.42" 5 Shot group at 100y

I got home and all 8 primer pockets were loose.
I will back off 2 grains and try again.

Nosler 110 grain Accubond or the 115 grain Partition. This buck fell to a 115 Trophy Bonded years ago, 257 Ackley.

I go every year and I use the AccuBond. The only problem I have with the deer not falling in his tracks is the misplacement of my shot "BUCKFEVER?"

I was partial to Barnes TSX but I think I am going with Nosler next year

The Bob doesn't need a TSX to be useful by any means. Mine shoots pretty well and I've used 100gr. Nosler BT's, Sierra Gamekings & Pro's, and Hornady Interlocks with no problems ever. If it shoots a "soft" Sierra 100gr or a Hornady 120gr HP it will make little difference in the end. Most will be pass through 's even with the BT's.