I've been loading these for my 376 Steyr and am getting good accuracy with these bullets at 2600fps. Is this bullet substantial enough to use for elk? I've always been partial to Barnes XLC's and I would never consider using the Ballistic Tip for elk in a lesser caliber but it seems that there have been discussions on this forum that led me to believe that the 375 B-Tip has a much thicker jacket than the smaller calibers. Is this true and could someone enlighten me with both facts about this bullet and it's actual performance on elk or like-sized animals?
Haven't used them myself but John Barsness has written many times of good experiences with the larger caliber BTs on game up to the size of gemsbok and large black bears. He says they penetrate better than the equivalent weight Partitions.
John
Posts: 1246 | Location: Northern Virginia, USA | Registered: 02 June 2001
I just read an answer to an inquiry about this bullet in "Handloader" (I believe). It was in an issue only a month or so old. The bullet was really trashed for use in Africa. The writer slowed the speed down to what one would expect at longer ranges and the core still separated from the jacket almost every time. When shot a close distances, the results were even worse He then went on to praise Partitions, pointing out that the boat tail and higher B.C. only made a 2" trajectory difference at 300 yards, so why take the chance for a buck or two.
I've shot lesser caliber BT's at deer with fine results, 100% one shot kills, in fact, but I don't tempt fate with larger game. I agree with the writer in the magazine. Just my opinion.
Posts: 7763 | Location: GA | Registered: 27 February 2001
Why not just use the BT for load workup and practice and use the Accu-bond (or whatever they call them) for the elk . The price per 50 is not all that much more for the bonded core slugs .....
Posts: 1660 | Location: Gary , SD | Registered: 05 March 2001
FWIW-- I have killed 2 elk with the 200g 338 NBT. Both did the job on broad side hits but the bullets recovered from one of the elk and a large whitetail had seperated from their cores and retained (both pieces) something like 60% of their weight. I have seen some spectacular blowups in the 30 and below NBT's. I'll continue to load the 338 NBTs for deer, sheep etc but for anything bigger I will only shoot partitions or similar bullets. As stated above, it's just not worth the risk.
Posts: 767 | Location: Seeley Lake Montana | Registered: 17 April 2002
With the new Accubonds (when the come out of course) the 260 BT seems almost reduntant. I just read some recent tests (.30) that said they performed as well or better then partitions in dry pack testing.
I would give them a look when they become available.
Posts: 192 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 15 February 2003
I believe it has actually been dropped by nosler in favour of the accubond. Not 100% sure though. That was Ross Seyfried's blurb on this bullet in Handloader, and I would have to agree with his position, and ask why shoot this bullet in a rifle that is meant for large game?
Chuck
Posts: 2659 | Location: Southwestern Alberta | Registered: 08 March 2003
I hit a white tail at 25 yards with a 260 NBT (~2600 fps) this past fall. Projectile entered the right side just behind the leg in the center of the chest. Exit wound was about the size of your palm. Jacket fragmented ... leaving pieces all over the place. Knocked the deer over by the way.
.375 NBTs ... don't use them if there is any chance of a close shot. They just are not built to take liberating that kind of energy as suddenly as they do.
The Nosler partition is the bullet by which all others are compared to, that about sez it all....
I have never used a better bullet than the 338 210 gr. Nosler or the new 375 300 gr. Nosler partition...a few are as good but I doubt that any are better...
Posts: 42223 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
quote:Originally posted by JudgeG: I just read an answer to an inquiry about this bullet in "Handloader" (I believe). It was in an issue only a month or so old. The bullet was really trashed for use in Africa. The writer slowed the speed down to what one would expect at longer ranges and the core still separated from the jacket almost every time.
Barsness posted on 24hourcampfire about this last week, the results were so different from his experience shooting them at gemsbok, springbok, etc. that he is skeptical about the test; argued that when shot at a lower velocity the bullet didn't stabilize correctly. FWIW.
Posts: 1246 | Location: Northern Virginia, USA | Registered: 02 June 2001
My buddy loaded some up @ 2675 fps, and used them to take a mule deer lengthwise at 150 yards. Bullet entered the front brisket and exited the rear. I wouldn't hesitate to use this bullet on moose.
The thing is the Balistic tip will probably work 99 time out of a 100, but the partition will work 1000 times out of 1000 short of a fractured bullet that got passed inspection. Why risk failure, use a premium bullet. Be safe, not sorry. I learned that the hard way with bullets.
Posts: 42223 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000