Has anyone had good reloading/hunting experiences with Nosler's 180 grain 30 caliber ballistic silvertip (#30180), or Sierra's 7mm 160 grain hollow point boat tail (#1925)? Thanks, Dogger

Good news is that Nosler recently moved the line delineating the "tough" Ballistic Tips down from their 8mm offerings to include the .308 180 grainers. So, go for it.

The Sierra HPBT is a tough bullet, as Sierra promises. I'd imagine the new 180 BallTips are about the same toughness. Sorry, can't say for sure.

RSY

Dang, no responses... Sierra, in their X-Ring notes, recommend the HPBT as their toughest category of rifle bullet for medium game hunting, which enticed me to consider trying them, but am curious to know if anyone else has used them?... And I figured that surely someone has experience with 180 grain ballistic silvertips on medium game?...

I was using the Sierra 165 HPBT bullet in a 30/06, similar to what you asked about in 7MM for deer hunting. I shot several whitetail deer with the HPBT, all broadside chest shots. In every case, the bullet went clean through the deer. Never recovered any bullet. Damage to the lungs and heart was considerable and never lost a deer. All one shot kills dropping in only a few yards. I would say that the bullet is pretty tough, probably a little too tough for deer since the exit hole was never much larger than the entrance hole. I would guess not much expansion.

Dead is dead and I really didn't find any problems with the bullets. They were very accurate as well. I think they might be better suited for heavier game such as Elk, Moose, or Bear.

I have since changed my deer rifle to a 25/06. Less recoil, plenty of power, and very accurate.

My 2 cents.

Good shooting.