7-08 120 vs 140 nosler bt

[X13]

My wife and I have shot a number of whitetails, a few mule deer, and a couple pronghorn with our 7mm-08. We have exclusively shot 140 gr., Ballistic Silver Tips, Ballistic Tips, and Accubonds. On deer size critters, I've found the 140 BSTs and BTs to be absolutely devastating. I cant remember a critter that so much as took another step after being hit with one in the right place. Pretty violent expansion, with big exit holes

 

[std7mag]

I have been using a 7mm-08 for the past few deer seasons. I don’t reload. After experimenting with many different different ammo brands and bullet weights, I settled on Nosler Ballistic Tip 140 gr. They were ridiculously accurate in my new rifle. I have taken 6 deer with that ammo. I have experienced what I consider to be 6 bullet failures. Shots were from 40-130 yards. Each deer was hit just behind the shoulder and hit a rib( either directly or glancing). The bullet in each case simply exploded. Shrapnel of bone and metal caused significant damage to the lungs. There was no exit wound. Meat loss was also significant from the shrapnel. I will be shooting something different next year.

Sounds more like a Hornady SST rather than a Ballistic Tip.

I've been hunting with the NBT for over 40 years now (well over 80 deer) and never had that happen with 4 different calibers. 25 caliber ranging from 250 Savage through 257 WBY, 30-06, 270 Win, 7mm-08 through 7mm WBY.
Ranges from 20 feet through 300 yards.

The only time I had anywhere near what you described was a button buck at 120 yards with the 165gr in my 30-06. I didn't notice that he was slightly quartering away.
Good shot just behind the front leg. Took out lung, heart, top of 2nd lung and punched through the offside shoulder.

You could almost literally put your fist through the shoulder.

 

[F250]

Sounds more like a Hornady SST rather than a Ballistic Tip.

I've been hunting with the NBT for over 40 years now (well over 80 deer) and never had that happen with 4 different calibers. 25 caliber ranging from 250 Savage through 257 WBY, 30-06, 270 Win, 7mm-08 through 7mm WBY.
Ranges from 20 feet through 300 yards.

The only time I had anywhere near what you described was a button buck at 120 yards with the 165gr in my 30-06. I didn't notice that he was slightly quartering away.
Good shot just behind the front leg. Took out lung, heart, top of 2nd lung and punched through the offside shoulder.

You could almost literally put your fist through the shoulder.

Yes I agree about the SST comparison. I have shot some of that stuff. Did not like it. I did a lot of research prior to choosing the Nosler BT. Most everything was positive. That’s why I tried them multiple times. I really hate to move on due to the super great accuracy. However, the performance on game that I shot was simply too disappointing.