Stubblejumper, what gets me is your ability to bury your head in the sand on such a regular basis. I have killed quite a variety of big game with a variety of bullets. These include: Nosler Ballistic tip, Nosler partition, Swift A-Frame, Swift Sciricco, Winchester Fail Safe, Barnes X, Speer Grand Slam, Speer Hot Core, Speer Boat Tail, Hornady Interlock, and Hornady SST & V-Max.



Of the above bullets, I have taken more game with the Ballistic Tip than anything else. No more. I have personally seen them fail to penetrate the rib cage of deer twice and IMO thats two too many. It absolutely matters not how many game animals you've killed with ballistic tips. I've killed over 20 using that bullet with perfectly satisfactory results but have had dismal failures as well.



I see absolutely no reason at all to use a ballistic tip on big game. None, and if your pet hunting rifle won't shoot something better, it's time to look for a new barrel maker, gunmaker, or both. Judging from the rifle builders you recommended on the Canadian Hunting forum you could use some help in this department as well.



Chuck

I think you would be much better off with the Partitions. I had a 140gr B/T blow up on the shoulder of a huge whitetail last week. This was out of a 7mmRem Mag, at 166 yds. Three hour later, 3 of us had spotted him twice, found off/on blood trails, and we still lost him.
I don't want to start anything, but one time is all I needed to teach me a lesson.
For Elk, I wouldn't even think about a ballistic tip.

Just my opinion, but Elk hunts are pretty expensive.

I have taken 3 elk with a 300 WSM using 180gr Fail-Safes. Very satisfied with that combination. Tried the 180 Fed Prem partitions, but couldn't get the accuracy I wanted. A buddy shoots a 300 Weatherby Mag and uses 180 BSTs. He killed 1 elk with that combo last year and speaks well of that bullet for elk. I like a 180gr BST for deer across bean fields, but (now this is just my opinion) would not use them for elk.

165 gr, Nosler Ballistic tip for Elk in a 300 Win Mag. Is this a good choice?
I personly will be using the Barnes X 165 gr. in my 300 Win Mag. My buddy wanted me to load up some 165 gr. Nosler BT's. I also have some Nosler Partitions in 165 gr. also.
Thanks in advance

what agreement?

And, I get you on the cold weather. We've just had a tremendous drop ourselve here in Ohio, but nothing like you guys.

To Stubblejumper and Beeman...



you guys are both right. The one little thing that's missing in the feud here is ENERGY. I have no doubt that a 168 TSX (for example) will kill the shit out of an elk at 400 yards. I also think that there's a good chance the bullet may exit, and expand quite well.



However, a 200 grain TSX from the same gun in the same situation will deliver more energy won't it? And perhaps a bit larger wound channel? And maybe drop the animal quicker?



I've never been in this situation personally but I would speculate that both bullets will in fact 'get the job done' however, one may be a bit better at it?



What I see is that if your gun likes a 165 or 180 bullet, then that is what you should use. By all means pick up that 338 when you believe it's necessary.



Here's a thought: my friend and guide in AZ tells every elk hunter that asks him about bringing their 270 for the hunt that it's a great elk rifle. He's been guiding since 1992 and has never lost a bull killed with a 270. His words:



"Now that that copper bullet company makes those new bullets that are accurate as all get out, moreso than the failsafes, it brought the 270 from a marginal elk rifle to a more than adequate elk rifle." "But the partition and A frame have always been fine too."



He's never been a guy heavy into bullet discussions or firearms for that matter as he is more of an archery guy, but even he has noticed that:



Even a small TSX bullet, in his opinion, has outperformed a bigger lead core bullet...HANDS DOWN.



I know this is hearsay, but it is what he told me. He was kind enough to send a video of about 5 kills over the last 2 seasons where guys were dropping elk at 250-330 yards with a 270 and 130 or 140 TSX bullets or the 150 partition or A frame.



One shot, about 260 yards down into a canyon, the guy dropped an elk with a 130 tsx. The bullet plowed right through both shoulders. Looked like a bloodbath on the rocks beyond the elk. The elk just lifted all 4 legs and dropped straight down.



It's hard to say if a bigger diameter or heavier wt. bullet would have done any better. Don't you think?

What took me so long? seems to me that I posted on this thread long before you did. Usual suspects? My, isn't that a clever line. I like it. Mind if *I* use it? Well if the usual suspects puts me in the category of gents like Chuck Nelson, Allen Day, Doc & others, I consider myself fortunate.



I also say that you have balls to quote Barness when you villified him because he had the gall to criticize that overpriced scope the Swaro A line! So, when his views conform to yours (which is not the case either BTW), that's ok.



I'll put it so there's is no doubt: If you use Ballistic Tips at Magnum velocities even after the manufacturer recommends otherwise you are asking for trouble, but then again given your predilections for ready-fire-aim approaches to the obvious, you are not one to let the facts het in the way of the truth. jorge

Speaking of liberals...I keep getting calls from the NRA...I'm a member...

anyway, they are telling me about the UN wanting to create some international ban on gun ownership and that some billionaire is trying to initiate the financing...some Soros fella...

I told them it would never happen in the US...if it did, they can pry my firearms from my dead hands...that is, after I've taken about 60 or more UN asswipes with me.