308 loads with 125BT (deer load)

[SmokinJoe]

Found that my new favorite deer rifle seems to really like the newly released Nosler BT ammo with 125 gr bullet. Disassembled a round to get an idea what was in it and it looks a lot like 41.0 grs of RL7. I know that the commercial loaders use custom powders usually, so it's not likely to be RL7 as we know it, but that load correlates with several reloading manuals also. Just wondering if anyone here has tried this load & your results. Thanks for any help. Joe

 

[mshelton]

Can't speak for the Reloader powder but a couple people around here use the 125 Accubonds with around 50g of Varget and have really good results.

 

[jsthntn247]

42.5 ish grains of 4895 is a good reduced recoil load for kids running about 2775.

 

[Killitgrillit]

I've killed a ton of deer with the .308 and 125gr BT

 

[SmokinJoe]

I've been using the 125BT with a full case of N-135 and that works pretty well, also have used H4895 with OK results. This rifle is a FNH PBR w/20" barrel, so the faster powder load looked interesting not to mention it shot the Nosler factory ammo way better than anything I've tried.

 

[2506]

I have killed a bunch of deer with 46 grs IMR 4895 WW case, CCIBR-2, and 125 ballistic tip in my 308 Win rifle. It does right at 3000 fps at the muzzle of my rifle. BANG FLOP from point blank to right at 300 yards so far. I use the 125 BT in my 30x47 rifle with 42 grs IMR 4895 for 2850 fps for deer. Both loads are bug hole accurate. I shoot the 125 BT in my T/C Contender 14" barrel 30-30AI pistol at 2670 fps. It is very accurate and is a deer smoker. As long as you keep the IMPACT velocity under 3000 fps the 125 Ballistic Tip works awesome on deer.

 

[CharlieNC]

125 Sierra Pro Hunter is also pretty good. Shot a wild hog through the head at 100 yd, and blew the exit side wide open. He did not run off into the swamp!

 

[Rflshootr]

I shoot 45.0 grains of IMR3031 over a 125 BT. Absolutely awesome!

 

[SmokinJoe]

Really appreciate the replies & any others that might want to contribute. I've loaded up 5 rounds with RL-7 & will do some other 5 round groups with H4198 & AA2200. Wanting to investigate the faster end first because of the short barrel. Y'all have a great holiday.

 

[AckleymanII]

If your rifle does not shoot this load, SELL IT!!!

49.5-52g of Win 748
Fed 210 primer

This load works with 125-135g bullets, Sierra, Nosler, and Barnes

TINY, TINY groups

 

[CJ6]

If your rifle does not shoot this load, SELL IT!!!

49.5-52g of Win 748
Fed 210 primer

This load works with 125-135g bullets, Sierra, Nosler, and Barnes

TINY, TINY groups

+1 This is a good powder weight/type range for these bullet weights.

 

[snert]

Sierra 125 and 3031. Nice accuracy, good perfrmance on deer, light recoil. what is not to like?

 

[bobinpa]

39 - 40 grs of H4198
CCI 200 Primer
125 Gr Nosler BT

Works fantastic on deer!

 

[Eric Leonard]

when my boys were younger I loaded the 125 NBT and 51 grs 748,,it was a fast flat shooter and accurate as well,,I also shot some 125 Speer TNT with same load and were nasty on coyotes but not as accurate as the NBT,,

 

[CatShooter]

when my boys were younger I loaded the 125 NBT and 51 grs 748,,it was a fast flat shooter and accurate as well,,I also shot some 125 Speer TNT with same load and were nasty on coyotes but not as accurate as the NBT,,

Did you try the 125 NBT on coyotes... I am looking for a light bullet coyote load for an M-70 featherweight '06, and bought some 125 NBTs and some TNTs, but haven't loaded them yet.

 

[Eric Leonard]

the NBT is a little tougher but I am sure would still blow a yote up pretty good even though I never shot one with it,,let me back up,,I did shoot one with the 125 NBT but it was from my 700 BDLSS 300RUM and RL19 at 3900 fps and it was blown to little bits,,

with the long throat and 10 twist they didnt shoot well in the RUM,,but I was just messing around tryin to get 4,000 fps but never did in the factory barrel,,

from the 06 I would use which ever shot best as either will work 100% on yotes,,

 

[Rflshootr]

I prefer the faster stick powders over any ball powder. With the ball powders, you get more muzzle flash. Early in the morning or late in the evening, I don't like seeing that fireball in the scope and having to wait for my eyes to re-adjust to see what happened after the shot. It has caused me to lose sight of the animal long enough to wonder what happened. Usually, the animal was within 40 yards of where the event took place, but it's still nicer to see which direction the animal tried to exit his unfortunate situation.