N2turkeys got me thinking about them. I used to shoot the 150gr ballistic silver tips in my 308 and was probably the best shooting factory ammo I’ve ever shot in it. However I didn’t like the way they performed on deer. Hardly ever got a pass through and very little blood if any. It killed them and they wouldn’t be very far but no blood trail to follow. I’ve been researching Nosler ballistic tips and I’m finding that not all ballistic tips are created equally. Some have tougher jackets then others and consistent pass throughs in certain cartridges of certain weights. I’m looking for real world reviews from any of you guys and gals that shoot them. As said N2 really peeked my interest with his 120gr BT load in his 7-08. Thanks.

Always felt the 120s were best in the 7-08.

Marsh, I sent you a PM.

Go heavy for caliber in the NBTs.
I shoot 115gr in the 25-06 & 180gr in the 30-06

I shot the 120 grain ballistic tips this year in my model 70 extreme weather and I was every impressed with how they performed on the 180 pound 11 point I shot with it. Shot him broad side at 180 yards right behind the shoulder and it was a complete pass through. The blood trail that he left running through the planted pines and sage was the best blood trail I've ever got from any bullet I've ever shot out of this gun or any of my others in different calibers. For me I got the best accuracy loading this bullet with ramshot big game powder.

When I first got my 308 over 20 years ago, I shot Hornady SST and Nosler BT 150grs and they both did fine as long as I made a good shot. Trailed a few I shot high or a little back a little ways, but always had a trail I could find the deer. When the Hornady Interbond came out, I swapped to them. Killed a few DRT, and had a few that I knew were hit good, but found little to no blood. Found all of them within about 75 yards, just penciled through. Shot were within 120 yards and just thought it was too much bullet for deer, and went back to the BTs or SSTs, depending on what was available. Have killed deer with 6mm Rem, 257 Robert, 270 Winchester, 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 308, and 30-06 Ballistic tips. For lighter thin skinned game, I’d shoot them with confidence out of pretty much anything other than uber magnums

When I used to hunt w/ my Rem 7-08, 120gr BTs over varget pushing a tad over 3000fps. Very accurate and sub moa. Figured to try them as an alternative to the Sierra 120gr PHs. Shot a doe at ~ 75 yards. Slightly quartering to. Entered just a tad forward in the rib cage and exited tad rear rib cage, complete pass-through. Dead deer running but not a drop of blood, all internal until just before the last death leap over the bench. Probably went 80 yards. Luckily knew how she was running after going out of sight.

Winchester sold a silvertip that had a metal silver colored tip. Now Winchester sell's Noslers coated black. The original metal tip was a different bullet.

Nosler Ballistic Tips are blood trail machines, but they don't handle bone real well. If you want to know if a particular model is built stouter than usual just ask Nosler directly. I used to shoot 165gr in a .300 Win Mag. Always an exit and blood trail on broadside lung or liver shots, but trying to break a bone was asking for disappointment.

Hornady SSTs handle bone better, but they are inconsistent in expansion. I've had it happen in three different calibers where I found a deer that had good shot placement but no sign of bullet expansion. If you decide to try Hornady factory ammo, be sure to check your zero every new box. They tend to be inconsistent from lot to lot.

That seems to be the most common complaint about the BTs and “blowing up”. I’ve never shot one with a magnum rifle, so I have no experience. But it would make sense that higher velocity out of magnums would attribute to that. I’d love to see a comparison of say 150 and 165gr BTs of a 308 and 300 Win Mag into ballistic gel. Maybe even mold in scapulas and ribs to simulate that scenario. Maybe someone on you tube has done it, never looked. I’ve kinda gone away from the polymer tip lead and playing with Barnes, and Hotcors and Prohunters. I’ll keep shooting BTs in my 270 and 308 because I’ve got loads with them the rifle really likes and they’ve always performed well on deer for me.

The 120gr Ballistic tip was designed with a heavier jacket . If you ever wonder whichbhabe the heavier jackets just look to see if they also offer that same bullet as an accubond. There aren't any 7mm 120gr Accubonds or 95gr 6mm Accubonds because they both have the thicker jacket.
I will also be loading up some 120s for my 708 for next season