What do you all think about using the 9.3 mm 250 grain Nosler ballistic tip for elk and/or moose?
I am considering using these rounds due to their better than average BC. I really would like to know if anyone has used them and how well these bullets performed.
Thanks, SRS
Posts: 292 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 04 July 2002
I should first say that I do not shoot a 9.3, so I have no real first hand experience.
I do however, have experience with the larger caliber Ballistic Tips, specifically the .375" 260 gr. BT. They are stout enough that you can use them on elk and moose. In homemade tests, they retained 90% of their weight, and expanded to 1.9X their original diameter.
The 9.3 250 gr. BT should do a real good job on elk and moose. They should retain 2000 ft-lbs all the way out to 450 yards or so.
I shoot them but have not used them on big game, I will probably regulate them to deer...I have had such good luck with partitions in the 9.3 that I see no reason to chance wounding an animal because I tried and unknown component...besides I take elk as they are presented and that is usuall going away in the timber, so I'll stay with the partitions...IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
Posts: 42314 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
I used the 250BT on my last trip to Africa to take a bushbuck, bushpig, and grysbok. My first shot at both the bushpig and bushbuck hit them in the leg. The second shot at both hit them in the body and killed both immediately. The bushbuck was knocked down at a dead run; the bushpig keeled over.
All of the exit wounds indicated that the bullets had held together very well. The exit side was presented in the photos of the bushbuck.
What was notable was that as deadly as this bullet was on the larger animals, it did not tear up the grysbok, which may have weighed 15 pounds.
I have not had the pleasure of hunting elk, but at ranges under 300yds, the 250BT should be stout enough to penetrate deeply, even on raking shots. Their Balistic Coefficient is .494, which is very efficient. Ku-dude
Rockhead, I use the 286 gr. Nosler, 320 gr. Woodleighs depending on where I'm hunting..The 320's work like a charm on going away Elk in dark timber...sticks their nose in the dirt..but the 286 Nosler will cover all the bases...
Posts: 42314 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Our experience shows that the 9.3's may have a tendency to open up early and may fail to penetrate if stiff resistance is found. This is different from the partitions. We have had some dramatic kills with them in my 9.3x64 at 2800 f/s. I think my partner is loading the 9.3x62 250 BT at 2650 to 2700 f/s depending on the barrel length and had similar experiences. He is now hunting in RSA and took 250 X and 250 BT to try on big game. We will comment on performance when he returns. lb404
Id say there is a time and a place to improve your BC with a BT but vs elk and/or moose is not the time. If your dissatisfied with your 9.3 move on to something else. Just my .02c.
Posts: 10190 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001
I have no experience with the 9.3 but I have witnessed two bull elk and two bull moose taken with ballistic tips.180gr-.308 and 200gr-.338 All were one shot kills and no animal travelled more than 30 ft after being killed.Only lung shots were used and penetration was adequate as only one bullet failed to exit,that having travelled through the chest and offside shoulder of a bull elk and stopping against the hide on the far side.
Posts: 3104 | Location: alberta,canada | Registered: 28 January 2002
When one thinks of all the elk and moose taken with .30 caliber bullets this whole thread seems kinda pointless IMHO. Do we really need to go thru every bullet for EVERY gun ever made to figure out if it will kill something? Duh?
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
quote:Originally posted by Pecos45: When one thinks of all the elk and moose taken with .30 caliber bullets this whole thread seems kinda pointless IMHO. Do we really need to go thru every bullet for EVERY gun ever made to figure out if it will kill something? Duh?
well yes of course we do, this way we have a greater variety of arguments
Posts: 562 | Location: Northern Wisconsin, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
quote:Originally posted by Pecos45: When one thinks of all the elk and moose taken with .30 caliber bullets this whole thread seems kinda pointless IMHO. Do we really need to go thru every bullet for EVERY gun ever made to figure out if it will kill something? Duh?
well yes of course we do, this way we have a greater variety of arguments
I see what you mean, Rock.
OK, what does everyone think of using the Speer 400 gr FNSP in my 458 Magnum. I've got some skunks around the barn that need killing. Is this bullet adequate or should I go for something heavier...or maybe even use a solid?
Curious minds want to know.
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
quote:Originally posted by Pecos45: [QUOTE]OK, what does everyone think of using the Speer 400 gr FNSP in my 458 Magnum. I've got some skunks around the barn that need killing. Is this bullet adequate or should I go for something heavier...or maybe even use a solid?
Curious minds want to know.
of course that depends whether the skunk is standing next to the x-wife's car. In this case I think a a large soft point which should lead to a wider dispersion of skunk guts (and stink) might be most appropriate.
Posts: 562 | Location: Northern Wisconsin, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
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