MeccaOz wrote:Not sure what Yoshi was going to say, but from what Ive seen and heard Ballistic tips do sometimes blow-up.
FuzzyM wrote:Ballistic tipped bullets are still a hollow point.
They just fill the hole with plastic which helps with aerodynamics.
They still open up like a normal hollow point.
Just my experience with these which is contrary to the above...
I have a 140gr and 120gr load worked up for my 7mm-08 both using Ballistic Tips.
Off the top of my head the 140gr cartridge is loaded for about 2,800 fps muzzle velocity. The 120gr cartridge is loaded for about 3,050 fps muzzle velocity.
I use these for hunting everything in Victoria, the 120gr for varminting and small game and the 140gr for the larger 3 deer species, and have found the weight retention and damage to be plenty.
I can't remember the details but I was also using the 150gr BT in my .308 when I had it and I was happy with the bullets then as well.
I suspect that impact at about 2900+ maybe on bone or thick skin is where they've come undone for people and the above can be chalked up to excess velocity. Annoyingly Nosler don't provide the info for this for their hunting BT's but their Varmint BT's are shown to be shrapnel at 3,000fps impact so that's a bit of a guide.
Personally I've found them to be very good for hunting. Perhaps not the best choice for magnum cartridges but for anyone not using one that's going to be a moot point.
2c.