Ok, here's the poll. I obviously won't hit everyones choice but just pick ONE BRAND if you could only use one for the rest of your hunting career. You can state why if you want. Cost, accuracy, experience, etc.NOSLERBARNESSIERRAHORNADYSPEER

I guess I'll have to vote for Nosler because they offer one of the best total lines of bullets. They have the premium bullets in Partitions, bonded bullets, long range high BC bullets (BT's) plus super-explosive varmint bullets.

Although Hornady has their solids, bonded, interlocks and V-max bullets.

Barnes has no real varmint bullets

quote:

Barnes has no real varmint bullets

What about Barnes Varminators?

IMO, nothing beats a Barnes X...I have had no luck with Hornady, Noslers are OK (although their Accubonds aren't as good as they claim).

MG

Nosler has all the bases covered from B-Tips to bonded bullets, the Failsafe and the Gold Standard Partition...

For my entire big game hunting career, I've used Noslers for everthing except one elk, for which I used a Speer Grand Slam. I was unhappy with its performance and never used Speer again. Right now, I either use Partitions or Accubonds. What more could anyone want ???

I have always had terrific results from Hornady. Every bullet I've ever loaded (plus factory ammunition of different types) has performed as advertised and shown excellent accuracy. From .22 caliber V-max's to 7mm Interbonds, they've all been excellently made and performed flawlessly.

I've found that they are generally very consistently made size and weight-wise and you can hardly find a better bargain on premium hunting and target bullets like the Interbond and A-max.

I have switched all my hunting bullets to Barnes. I get great accuracy and performance from the Barnes bullets.

Fjold, look at the Barnes Varminators.

I picked Nosler, but I have to say that if the choice includes pistol bullets, Nosler loses IMHO. Their handgun partitons are nice, but their selection of plinking/target bullets in pistol calibers is not where it needs to be!

Most of my rifles tend to shoot Nosler Partitions best, and Partitions have given me superb results on big game. I can't think of a better all-around hunting bullet.

AD

At the range I shoot some Hornadys, Speers and Noslers. But for most of my hunting I shoot Barnes XTS.

Doc ----- I shoot all bullets manufactured in the caliber I am shooting at the moment. This weekend I shot all the bullets you listed plus two others not on the list, and they are the two that are usually the most accurate in my chamberings, North Forks and Swift A-Frames. I have used those you listed for years and will continue to use some of them particularly the Barnes, Nosler and Sierra, letting the rifle dictate the bullet it likes best. When you don't include the North Forks and Swifts I cannot vote my opinion in your poll. My main concern is hunting bullets, as 90% of all my shooting is getting ready for a hunt. If I voted on years past the Nosler would win hands down, with Barnes second, but the new boys on the block are getting my attention because of pin point accuracy from a tough hunting bullet. Just my .02 worth.

quote:

Fjold, look at the Barnes Varminators.

Yep, I forgot about the 4 bullets that Barnes offers for varmint shooting. Don't get me wrong, I'm not Barnes bashing, I love them in my 7 Mag and 300 WSM but I don't think that they have complete line up yet.

I've used all the brands listed with satisfactory results but the one that I can count on that shoots well in all my rifles is the Nosler Partition. It's the most consistent hunting bullet that I've used both in accuracy and game getting performance.

Noslers. The TSX bullets look pretty impressive, and it's hard to find someone who's not happy with them, but overall, Nosler seems to have a better selection.

Had I drawn a Wyoming Sheep tag I would have used a partiton.

I can't believe you have not listed Swift A Frame.

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Originally posted by JBoutfishn:
I can't believe you have not listed Swift A Frame.

Well, if the website had given me more options, I would have. But, in all fairness, the A Frame is a relatively new bullet and Swift is a young bullet maker. I started another post about Speer bullets, which is what sparked this poll to begin with. I did state that I knew I wouldn't get everyones choices on the list.

I love the Swift bullets myself, but I was attempting to establish which maker has the most popularity to those who choose to vote from the list.

For Big Game hunting?

Swift or Barnes are the big front runners in my opinion.

As far as I am concerned, when talking about big game bullets, the Nosler Partitions are junk. They are nothing more than a glorified deer bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
but just pick ONE BRAND if you could only use one for the rest of your hunting career. .

Nope. Ain't gonna do it. And you can't make me.

Nosler partitions.

No question about it.

They do what it says on the packet - they are dependable.

You left out all the super-premiums. I use Swift A-Frames.

George

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Originally posted by boreal:

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
but just pick ONE BRAND if you could only use one for the rest of your hunting career. .

Nope. Ain't gonna do it. And you can't make me.

Best attitude I have heard today

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From Boreal:
Nope. Ain't gonna do it. And you can't make me.

All righty then, how about this: I buy you a custom rifle of your choosing with a $5000 limit, you choose components and gunsmith. I send you 1000 bullets of your choice along with powder, primers, and brass, but the bullets have to be from one on the list I started, you can choose a specific bullet. I pay for you to hunt Red stag in NZ, elk in unit 10 in Arizona, and in the San Juan of southern Utah, along with a black bear tag, then we go up to Montana for sheep. No expense to you except the exertion of hunting, eating, and having a fantastic time. I even throw in Alaskan Moose.

Is there no choice if you could have but one from the list that you feel confident enough that would make a clean kill on the animals discussed?

Gotta go with Barnes TSX all the way....

On a side note:
I love this bullets because they are low-toxicity (when compared to lead), every once in awhile I run into someone who thinks lead should not be used because it is toxic. ( I know...I know...lets just stick to the point)

They always assume that every bullet is toxic so when I tell them that they are nearly completely non-toxic it kind of takes the wind out of their sails so to speak....

IV

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

From Boreal:
Nope. Ain't gonna do it. And you can't make me.

All righty then, how about this: I buy you a custom rifle of your choosing with a $5000 limit, you choose components and gunsmith. I send you 1000 bullets of your choice along with powder, primers, and brass, but the bullets have to be from one on the list I started, you can choose a specific bullet. I pay for you to hunt Red stag in NZ, elk in unit 10 in Arizona, and in the San Juan of southern Utah, along with a black bear tag, then we go up to Montana for sheep. No expense to you except the exertion of hunting, eating, and having a fantastic time. I even throw in Alaskan Moose.

Is there no choice if you could have but one from the list that you feel confident enough that would make a clean kill on the animals discussed?

Well.....Jeezz, Doc!
I'll take a 358 Norma Magnum and a 225 grain Nosler Partition.
But.. the rest of my life? Can I lie when I promise you?

I know that Spyro and I will never agree on nonresident hunting, but I am with his boat on the nosler partition, JUNK! That is my experience with big game in Alaska, and that is ALOT of game! From moose, sheep, goat, caribou, black, grizz, and brown bear. That is my opinion, and many friends that have shot the partitions. We are very happy with the swifts and barnes. I shoot the swifts through my .375 ultra and now the TSX 168 and 180 through my .300 WSM

I've used Noslers for 50 years and see no reason for changing now. If I do my part they do their part.

Bullets serve different purposes
for target I prefer speer or Hornady manly because you get alot for the money

for hunting I perfer Barnes and Nosler, I really like the Failsafe and feel Barnes X runs a close second , and the only reason I would rate them lesser is because of the extended lenght of equal weighted bullets
The Nosler Partition would be my third choice only because of the exposed lead tip which invariabily gets disfigured and I can't help but think it would affect its accuracy on a high velocity cartridge at long range...if they would only put a pastic tip on them.
Forth choice would be the speer grandslam, price and no lead tip
again imho

YOU LEFT OUT SWIFT I SHOOT BOTH SWIFT BULLETS THE MOST.

Nosler Partitions and Accubonds are my favorites.
Roland

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Originally posted by boreal:

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

From Boreal:
Nope. Ain't gonna do it. And you can't make me.

All righty then, how about this: I buy you a custom rifle of your choosing with a $5000 limit, you choose components and gunsmith. I send you 1000 bullets of your choice along with powder, primers, and brass, but the bullets have to be from one on the list I started, you can choose a specific bullet. I pay for you to hunt Red stag in NZ, elk in unit 10 in Arizona, and in the San Juan of southern Utah, along with a black bear tag, then we go up to Montana for sheep. No expense to you except the exertion of hunting, eating, and having a fantastic time. I even throw in Alaskan Moose.

Is there no choice if you could have but one from the list that you feel confident enough that would make a clean kill on the animals discussed?

Well.....Jeezz, Doc!
I'll take a 358 Norma Magnum and a 225 grain Nosler Partition.
But.. the rest of my life? Can I lie when I promise you?

Ha! I thought you said I couldn't make you choose! Gotcha.

Hey everyone, Boreal chose partitions. Let it be known!

Hornady! .284 162 btsp!

For really, really big and mean game, I prefer Match Kings.

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Originally posted by Doc:
Ha! I thought you said I couldn't make you choose! Gotcha.
!

A man's gotta know his limitations.
When we going hunting?

Given only one choice...Nosler Partition.

If allowed two choices (and what I currently utilize) Nosler Partition and Hornady Interlocks, pending on game and gun.

Doc ----- OK we understand you like the Barnes Triple Shock bullets. I like them also after having shot them through my .257 Wby, 7mm STW, .338 Lapua, and 270 WSM. As I stated in a previous post I try all the bullets when I start a project and let the rifle tell me what it likes. ----- IT IS ALSO OBVIOUS you have not shot the North Fork bullet, or otherwise with you $5000 rifle and providing 1000 bullets you are attempting to provide the best and not cutting any cost, in that case it would be NORTH FORK BULLETS. With your criteria the size of the bullet company should not enter in if you want to provide the best. Accuracy with a tough bullet is my thing when I get the trophy of a lifetime in front of me wherever I am hunting in the Western US, Alaska, Canada, or Africa. Once again this is your game, I just wanted a voice expressed within that game, after all, this site is about debate and improvement by all. Good shootig.

quote:

Originally posted by phurley5:
Doc ----- OK we understand you like the Barnes Triple Shock bullets. IT IS ALSO OBVIOUS you have not shot the North Fork bullet, or otherwise with you $5000 rifle and providing 1000 bullets you are attempting to provide the best and not cutting any cost, in that case it would be NORTH FORK BULLETS.

Yes, my signature line expresses my immediate past experience with TSX. I Really do like them. And from all of the posts I've read about NorthFork bullets, I'd really like them too. And I would have listed them as well as Swift, GS, and others given the chance. In terms of the scenario I gave with the rifle cost, etc., you are right. If I were to invest such money into a hunting rifle I would not question the expense of any bullet. However, for the game I listed, I do not believe that a Northfork bullet would kill an elk, black bear, or sheep or red stag any quicker or cleaner than a Triple Shock or A Frame. Just an opinion.

But I'm sure willing to try Northforks, they sure look good when mushroomed.

I used to be one of the biggest drum beaters for Nosler Partitions going until Barnes came out with their TSX line. Better penetration using lighter weight bullets and even better accuracy. Add in Barnes' Varmin-A-Tor line of varmint bullets, XLC, X, Pistol, Muzzleloader and their new Banded Solids to go along with their older Solids they offer a more complete line of products for the shooter going today. Barnes has changed my mind. Lawdog

Jesus I hate being in the majority. Well perhaps it's OK this time. For game the Noslers and target would be Sierra's or Bergers.

308: there are a lot of us on this board who would appreciate it if you would not use the Lord's name in that manner...perhaps there is another expletive that might work just as well...just a request, thanks