Anyone Using the Nosler E-Tip Bullets?

[Ray]

Thoughts?

[ICEMAN]

Probably the wave of the future with the no lead design. They do seem to mushroom...well...like a mushroom. Retention is good. I love boat tails...

I just hate having lead forced out by the environmentalist wackos.

http://www.nosler.com/?p=3&bullet=20

[Bookworm]

I bought some when I was down in Bend last month. I haven't loaded any up yet.

[Ray]

I was thinking that when compared to tsx they have at least one advantage. Those little ridges on the side of the tsx bullets make it harder for me to get the overall length on the bullet when reloading because I cannot seat the bullet on a depression for example... That can affect accuracy and from my point of view makes me think less of the tsx. At the same time they say that those ridges help relieve pressure and improve accuracy. I'm not sure I buy that and think of those two marketing reactions to flaws are just that. Who knows.

As far as environmental folks go... I think that bullet manufacturers have a vested interest to keep their business going. I am glad to see they are not complacent enough to ignore a possible need from shooters until the last minute ... and therefore are designing something before it is too late.

[jdb]

I like the forward thinking but until they ban the use of the partition why use anything else?

[catwithboost]

What caliber are you loading with the TSX? I have gotten lucky with the 7mm mag and not had to deal with that. Looks like the e tip come in a 150gr for the 7mm. I will pick some up and give them a try. If you try them first pm me and I will do the same.

[Ray]

I like the forward thinking but until they ban the use of the partition why use anything else?

From the latest poll I'd say we're almost there.

[Ray]

What caliber are you loading with the TSX? I have gotten lucky with the 7mm mag and not had to deal with that. Looks like the e tip come in a 150gr for the 7mm. I will pick some up and give them a try. If you try them first pm me and I will do the same.

It's not about luck it's about getting things done right without having to compromise my techniques for a strange bullet design. Why would I buy a bullet like a tsx if this one shot better? It's cheaper and if the performance is better and it's easier to load I will use it.

[catwithboost]

The price is a lot lower. I am going to try them for sure.

[bobcat]

Most of what I know about the e-tip I read on 24hourcampfire. I really want to give them a try but probably won't until next year, as I already have plenty of rounds loaded up and don't want to spend the money right now on more load development. I've had really good luck with the Barnes TSX in my 270 Win. but I'd rather give my support to Nosler if their bullets will shoot as good as the TSX does. The pure copper bullets are the way to go in my opinion, because they simply do not come apart, no matter how high the velocity or how much bone is hit. When I get around to it I will try the 150 grain e-tip in my 30-06. At just over 3000 feet per second, that combination will be ideal for anything from antelope to elk.

[demontang]

I would use them but they dont make them that big yet (.338) I like the 200gr nosler accubounds for everything I shoot at around here.

[Intruder]

No first hand experience.  Have heard mixed reports but mostly (+).  I'm gonna have a hard time givin up using TSXs.  Barnes really impresses me with there innovation, service, quality, etc.  Not knockin Nosler but Barnes in my mind doesn't take a back seat to anyone.

A cheaper alternative is attractive though.  Will be interested to hear what folks think as they start shooting these. 

[Ray]

Most people think of barnes as the lesser bullet manufacturer...

[Ray]

Without the tsx their bullet line has historically been stinko. I don't even like their varmint grenades.

[Ray]

I believe the nosler line is a little bit more than the partition. Not to mention tsx reloading data is not that great and the bullet selection for their top of the line .257 tsx is poor.

[Mike450r]

it only let me page back to one of my kids draws,  then took me back to he not drawn yet screen

[Intruder]

Most people think of barnes as the lesser bullet manufacturer...

That might be the case 5-10 years ago.  I know folks who wouldn't give ya a bag of beans for a box of Nosler bullets... so to some degree these kind of discussions degrade into a Ford vs. Chevy thing.

It certainly seems like in the big game hunting ranks the use of the TSX has grown immensely over the last 3-5 years though.  For many PHs in Africa they are fast becoming the bullet of choice.  Again, I'm not knockin Nosler but I've had nothing but good results using the TSX and nothing but great customer service from Barnes.  I've gotten several emails and phone calls from them when I was first developing a load for my gun.  Sub 1" groups, 200fps faster than normal, and 98% weight retention.... what's not to like?  That being said, if they don't shoot out of your gun don't shoot em. 

[Ray]

What's not to like is that they don't have a good selection of bullets on some calibers, the bullets have the little grooves on the side of them so I cannot get exact overall length, the load data is not very good.

[WDFW-SUX]

When the tsx first came out I was told that I could use the xlc data and also the xbt data just work up to max

[Ray]

That's 2 days late. I have a great load and sub 1 inch grouping from some tsx bullets but I don't think they shoot any better than any other bullet. They should have that load data published instead of having customers resort to phone calls and hearsay... I look forward to Nosler bullets but I am not a TSX fanatic like some people around here are. It's just a bullet.

[ICEMAN]

What's not to like is that they don't have a good selection of bullets on some calibers, the bullets have the little grooves on the side of them so I cannot get exact overall length, the load data is not very good.

Agree, not much heavy choices in .300cal

[MountainWalk]

I didnt pay much attention to this thread when it was current, but this past weekend, i read some pro con  article in some hunting rag. the pro lead ban guy, Ron Spomer, did make some interesting points. For one, it would be a good chance to show all the non hunters and anti hunters that HUNTERS are always thinking of the envirement, that we are on the forefront of conservation and the envirement. Two, it would better for us, PC, PR wise if we did it on our own, and not be drug kicking and screaming. Three, it would be cheaper, possibly. I cant recall all of the specifics, but both sides did have valid points. 

We have several lead free bullets already, so I dont think its such a big stretch. Was someone saying tht the new e bullets lack a cannelure?

[bobcat]

This is what it looks like:

[ICEMAN]

They should name that the Chantrelle Express or something. Very "mushroomy" looking... If I found that laying in the woods, I would sautee' it up at home!

[MountainWalk]

Is the caliber offerings extensive? I have read where they dont make such and such weights, but what cals do they offer?

[bobcat]

From their website:

Available in
270cal 130gr.
7mm 150gr.
30cal. 150gr.
30cal. 180gr.

[Bookworm]

I can vouch for the 180 grain E- Tip for an elk dropper. One shot 300 wsm at about 300 yards, took a couple of steps and went down. Shot angle was slight angling away, went in a couple of ribs behind shoulder, thru the top of the heart, out the off shoulder. very little blood shot in the meat, the guide was very impressed with bullett performance.

[deaddog]

I believe the nosler line is a little bit more than the partition. Not to mention tsx reloading data is not that great and the bullet selection for their top of the line .257 tsx is poor.

         I read some where that barns reload data book is full of errors, and that you should call for corrected data before loading from their book.

[coonhound]

I can't stand the effort it takes to work up a good sub 1" group with any of the Barnes products I've shot.  With any bullet Nosler has offered I've had no problem working up a load that performs great.  I will welcome another solid bullet other than Barnes, I get real tired of cleaning my barrel after a couple groups, not a fan of solid copper.  Looks like the E-tip is an alloy, hopefully it's a clean shooter.  Can't wait to give them a try.

Coon

[C-Money]

I have never been around any all copper bullets. I know very little about them. I am having a hard time even thinking about using them. First time I saw one was this year, Firefighter4607 loaded some up. I have been a interbond user for so long, it is hard to think of change. The new Nosler E tip I do find interesting. Probably wont try it until I am forced. Nice to know we have a few alternatives. Anyone have any on game performance pictures of copper bullet kills??

[Bookworm]

This bull was shot in Wyoming with a E- tip bullet.

[C-Money]

Looks like the E Tip put that one down just fine. I miss spoke in my last thread, I have used the Hornady interlock for a very long time. Plz keep the kills shots comming using the E Tip!