Who's using 168 Nosler Ballistic Tips and AR Comp?

[liltank]

Well... its deer season once again and I am a cross roads as to a bullet. So after reading an article on Long Range Hunting.com on terminal ballistics of several 180 grain hunting bullets, I opted for the Nosler 168 grain Hunting Ballistic Tip as it showed in his test that they will open on impact velocities of 1400fps. I have also been reading up on the new AR Comp by Alliant and ordered some of that as well. What I want to know is if there is anybody using either bullet or powder for hunting, or possibly using them together? What are your velocities like? How consistent are you finding the AR Comp to be? I use a .308 Winchester, so this is the caliber in question. I also have a 28" 1:12 tube. So you shooters of long barrels in .308, I would love to hear from ya. I really appreciate this site and have gleaned much information. Thanks for your help guys. All info is welcome.

Tank

 

[liltank]

I'm looking for any experience with either component?

Tank

 

[4xforfun]

I was going to call you on the 168 NBT thing.....I didn't think that they even existed. Did a little research and POOF...there they were..168 grain 30 cal NBT hunting bullets.

Now my question to you is....why???? Why would nostler make a 168? They already have a 165 gr...why make the 168??

Just wonderin out loud to myself! :-[

 

[liltank]

The 168 NBT has a BC of .490 where as the 165 has a BC of .475. Coming out of a .308 Winny I want all the advantage I can get to shoot at long range hunting whitetail. I know the 180 has a BC of .507, but I can only reasonably push the bullet to an an estimated 2650- to 2680ish. I can currently push 175 Nosler CC to 2750. The .490 BC of the lighter bullet will work better in the .308 at longer distance because I can push it faster. I know the heavier bullet should carry the speed and energy farther out, but when I used JBM to crunch the numbers, the 168 extended my range about 100yds due to velocity alone. I expect I should get around 2800 to 2850 with the 168's. According to a test that I found, a gentleman had shot many different bullets made specifically for hunting. The NBT in 180 grain opened at speeds as low as 1400fps. That really extends the range. Not saying I am going to shoot into that specific speed range, doubt I'll see anything that far, but it did very well in the tests. Here is the link if you would like to read the article. It looks very well done:

http://stevespages.com/jpg/bestbullet.jpg

So I am looking for those who have used the bullets in either a successful capacity or have gone home with a lost animal due to poor bullet performance (not poor shot placement!). I am also curious to see if anybody has used the new AR Comp powder by Alliant. I like what I am reading and hope it performs up to standard. I like the RL15 and shoots very well, but if I can find something that is temperature stable in the Alliant line of powders, I'll take it!