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Sierra Gamekings vs Nosler Ballistic Tips for whitetail / hog hunting

I have three brand hunting bullets on my shelf for whitetails and hogs that I want to try for the .308 Winchester, Sierra 150 GK, Sierra 165 GK and the 168 Nosler Ballistic Tips. I am going to use Varget loaded close to max. Which bullet would you pick for whitetail / hog hunting? Range is less than 300 yards. It's my first time using the .308 for hunting.
 
I liked the 165 SGK when I was shooting a 308 for hunting, for whatever reason I could never get the 150s to shoot in my rifle. My factory R700 in an B&C from Boyds would shoot the 165s under 3/4 MOA at 200 with no issues, and deer aren't that hard to kill. Never used them on hogs.

I tried both versions of the 165SGK in my rifle the HPBT and the SPBT, the HPBTs actually shot a little tighter, but I read (never proved it to myself) that the HP had a heavier jacket for magnum velocities so I used the SPBT. I don't know if it is true or not. Both shot to the same POI at 200 yards.
 
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My M88 doesn't like boattails but the 150 Pro Hunters have killed enough WT'S between my son and I that I wouldn't consider any else. JMHO
 
I would have to agree with the others about the Gamekings. I've gotten great accuracy out of the Ballistic Tips and killed a few deer with them but I've never been able to find a blood trail. Luckily, with 1 exception, they've all died where they stood or only ran maybe a dozen yards before falling over with the Ballistic Tips. While yes, the deer died, I didn't like the lack of a blood trail. It took me 3 days to find the last one I shot and by that point the meat had long since spoiled. At that point I switched exclusively to Gamekings in both my 30-06 and 308. Very good accuracy and they always leave a blood trail.
 
GameKing will hold together better. Not as explosive. But I've seen many animals fall to the Nosler BTs

Lack of blood trail on the BTs is due to the fact that they enter a short distance, violently explode, and usually don't exit. If they do, its quite the scene.

Game Kings have a better chance of a pass through.
 
Thanks guys for the responses, was curious on expansion on those bullets since it will be impact velocity under 2600 fps at these ranges.I have loaded some up to try to see which shoots better in my rifle.
 
Just got back from the range after running a few loads with 168 Nosler BT and Varget / CCI 200 primers. Ran 3 round groups from 43.2 grains to 45.7 grains of Varget in .3 increments. All the groups were .5 MOA or less, with those two groups looking good enough for some whitetail / hog hunting. I will not play with seating depth or do any tweaking, its good enough for some hunting. I may lean to the slower load at 2,720 fps, deer won't know the difference.

P.S. There are other holes in the target with the x on them, ignore them, they were from crappy bullets I was shooting out of the 7mm Mag to fireform new brass.

4sU2NEw.jpg


3z20r13.jpg
 
Just got back from the range after running a few loads with 168 Nosler BT and Varget / CCI 200 primers. Ran 3 round groups from 43.2 grains to 45.7 grains of Varget in .3 increments. All the groups were .5 MOA or less, with those two groups looking good enough for some whitetail / hog hunting. I will not play with seating depth or do any tweaking, its good enough for some hunting. I may lean to the slower load at 2,720 fps, deer won't know the difference.

P.S. There are other holes in the target with the x on them, ignore them, they were from crappy bullets I was shooting out of the 7mm Mag to fireform new brass.

4sU2NEw.jpg


3z20r13.jpg
Looks like you've landed where you want to be. What barrel length ? I'm guessing 24
 
It's a 26 inch Bartlien. I have not pushed it to max, but no need. It's good right there.
Just worked up some 168s from my 26" gun and getting 2880 with 46.0 varget. Getting .5 or less regularly. Pretty happy as well. There Sierra TMKs and I plan on using them for deer
 
Just worked up some 168s from my 26" gun and getting 2880 with 46.0 varget. Getting .5 or less regularly. Pretty happy as well. There Sierra TMKs and I plan on using them for deer
168 grain? Are you getting any pressure signs or flattened primers? That is good velocity especially from a .308 and the TMK has better BC too of .535 over the Nosler BT with BC of .490

Side note, I don't even understand why the Berger 168 VLD has a poor BC of .473
 
168 grain? Are you getting any pressure signs or flattened primers? That is good velocity especially from a .308 and the TMK has better BC too of .535 over the Nosler BT with BC of .490

Side note, I don't even understand why the Berger 168 VLD has a poor BC of .473

In testing Bryan Litz shows the Nosler 168 BT's BC to be .427.
 
I have three brand hunting bullets on my shelf for whitetails and hogs that I want to try for the .308 Winchester, Sierra 150 GK, Sierra 165 GK and the 168 Nosler Ballistic Tips. I am going to use Varget loaded close to max. Which bullet would you pick for whitetail / hog hunting? Range is less than 300 yards. It's my first time using the .308 for hunting.
If 300 yards is going to be the max distance, don't worry about the BC.
 
In testing Bryan Litz shows the Nosler 168 BT's BC to be .427.
It was weird to see the 1000 yard drop data in which the Nosler BT had less drop over the Berger, its what confused me. I guess the bullet manufacturers , has yet, need to make corrections on its BC specs on it. Not bashing Nosler or any bullet manufacturer, I do love Nosler BT for my deer / hog hunting. I rely on ballistic data for my long range shooting, so BC data of a certain bullet is needed to get an accurate drop down chart for the range I intend to hunt or compete with.
 
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