I shot 2 deer this year with a .280 rem using 150gr Nosler ballistic tips. Let me tell you about a devastating combination. The first one was a small fork horn buck that was hit on opening morning at 75 yards. A quartering away shot from his left that droped him on the spot. Turned the heart into pudding but left the lungs mostly undamaged. The 2nd was a 220 lbs 8 point at 150 yards. Again a quartering away shot. This round entered the right rear leg at the knee traveled the full length of the body and came to rest on the front left inside the rib cage. Totally destroying the stomach, left lung and heart. The copper jacket had completely seperated from the lead core. The lead core was fully expanded and completly intact. This deer was again dropped on the spot. This is the 1st year I used that .280 and it has now moved into my primary deer rifle spot.
OTTO, I have used 140 NBTs in my .280 for about 6 or so deer. What a lethal combo. Drops 'em in their tracks. I've been shooting a .30-06 for many years and use a .25-06 most of the time, but lately have been going to the .280 more and more.
------------------ Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
I have been thinking of loading up some of those 150gr NBT for caribou. I have always heard that the ballistic tips wreck alot of meat though. Especially if you hit one in the shoulder. I am just a little wary as to how they perform when a large bone is hit.
Posts: 223 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 20 February 2001
I load 150gr NBT with IMR 4831 at 55.0grs, cci200LRP. AVE vel 2845 fps out of a Ruger77. Two Elk and many deer. Everyone was one shot. I have not lost a animal with Balistic Tips. Good luck whales
The 150 Nosler BT has excellent long range expansion for which it was designed,providing velocities are maintained at or above 1800fps.At short ranges they are meatwreckers.
I like the BT's, for deer and antelope, they are also vERY accurate in both my .280 Rem's. BUT the only problem is if the shot is under 200 yds and you happen to hit a bone, or the shoulder, they wreck most of the front half! I have gone to the 150 partitions over the 140 BT's and though still meat wreckers if the shot is wrong, they are not as bad as the BT's. Shot a nice whitetail on Friday at a tad under 200 yds and my only shot was facing me , slightly quatering to his right. The 150 partitions just blood shot the left shoulder and it left a 2"+ exit out the right side. Both lungs totally gone but I was mad at myself for wasting so much meat. (Though I do pick through and save as much as possible of the bloodshot stuff and feed it to my siberians) Absolutely NO argument that our .280's are a lethal deer/antelope killer, especially with BT's! But I often wonder if I should drop down in velocity a bunch and just use my wifes 7mm-08 with 140's at 2600 fps for the close ones?
A dilemna! Frank N.
Posts: 950 | Location: Cascade, Montana USA | Registered: 11 June 2000
It sounds like I won't be swicthing over to the BT's. Like you, I hate to have wasted meat. I have had great sucess, with very little blood shot meat, shooting the 145gr Speer GrandSlams just as fast as they will go. I just wanted to try something new but I think I will stick with what has worked for me in the past.
Jarrett
Posts: 223 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 20 February 2001
It's entirely possible that they've changed since I used them (more than 10 years ago) but if they haven't, consider them varmint/paper punching bullets only.
They were way too fragile even for deer (7mm-08 and 7 Rem Mag 140 and 150's were tried). I promply switched to Partitions...then X-Bullets came along....
They were accurate, though, I'll give them that.
Posts: 920 | Location: Mukilteo, WA | Registered: 29 November 2001
.280 w/145 speer grand slam is one lethal deer combination. Have never tried it but would think it might be pretty good elk medicine even tho I prefer a heavier bullet for elk.
Posts: 2037 | Location: frametown west virginia usa | Registered: 14 October 2001
I used 150 BT out of a 30.06 on a doe in 1999 at 25 yards. The exit hole was the size of a silver dollar. The doe dropped on the spot. Very nice bullets for somewhat closer ranges...
Posts: 935 | Location: USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
I've on used Ballistic Tips in the .270, and always used 150gr bullets, I have never recovered one. Even when it struck heavy bone, the completely penetrated the deer, one shot on a small buck that was running about 40yds from me, hit him in the left shoulder, causing massive damage, then exiting the opposite shoulder, and almost completly vaporizing it. Everyone at the hunting camp, was impressed, and horified at the devastation caused. This load had a muuzle velocity of 3109fps from my 24" Mauser.
Posts: 3097 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 28 November 2001
Finley, You may consider the SST from Hornady. The 139 may be a bit on the light side but the 154 gr should be available soon. I've been hearing Nosler fans switching as these shoot like a BT but hold up better and are nearly half as much. If you are willing to spend big money try the Swift Scirroco. It supposedly holds up better than the Partition and shoots as well as an A-Max.
