One Factory Bullet?

[Eli346]

Bergers from Huntingshack.com in 168 gr. Mule deer at 592 yds with one shot and two elk with one shot apiece. They're killing fast and clean.

[Bofire]

  300WM(the real one) is my go to big game rifle and has been for over 30 years. Have killed a ton of game with it. I shoot 180 grain, no reason to use anything else- very good balance of velocity/penetration/mushroom/trajectory. I like Accubond, Partition,Barnes. In America, for game here, I think it matters not, just learn to shoot it. You did not ask but in my opinion the 4.5 minimum X power on the scope you chose is too high for a big game rifle go to the 3.5X10.
Carl

[Fowlweather25]

If you're wanting to hunt moose I definatley wouldn't shoot any lighter than 180 grains

[Biggerhammer]

If you're wanting to hunt moose I definatley wouldn't shoot any lighter than 180 grains

Moose are wusses. Seen plenty of them tipped over by much smaller. Watched a 14 year old girl crush a big boy with a .270 and a 130gr.

[Gutpile]

AccubotBarnes are good but the BC is so bad compared to the others I wouldnt choose them for a long range bullet.

The difference in trajectory at 500 yards between a 180 grain bullet at 2960 ft/sec zeroed at 250 yards with a BC of .4, and one with a BC of .5 is about 3".

Not sure what your point is. If you build your entire rig around long range performance why not use a high b.c. bullet. I have nothing against Barnes, I use them. They wouldnt be my "long range bullet" choice. Just sayin.

[carpsniperg2]

Accubonds would be your best bet

[Jerbear]

I have shot nothing but Hornady 165 grn bullets since 1963.  Most animals drop right there, but none have ever gone more than 15 feet.  If you buy it in the box or reload, it is a proven preformer.   

[addicted]

AccubotBarnes are good but the BC is so bad compared to the others I wouldnt choose them for a long range bullet.

The difference in trajectory at 500 yards between a 180 grain bullet at 2960 ft/sec zeroed at 250 yards with a BC of .4, and one with a BC of .5 is about 3".

Not sure what your point is. If you build your entire rig around long range performance why not use a high b.c. bullet. I have nothing against Barnes, I use them. They wouldnt be my "long range bullet" choice. Just sayin.

Got no lead, got no soul lol.

Every time you buy a lead free bullet, an anti gets her picketing sign 

I Know barnes as been around since before the antis were taking away hunting one bite at a time but it still doesnt help us keep our hunting priveledges by dumping money where the anti's push us rather than keeping lead bullets in demand so that the ammo manufacturers fight to keep them there which stops the antis from coming from that angle.

and no, how could they make a good long range bullet. Need high weight to get high BC and with no lead these things gotta be way long. thats why they cut those 3 grooves in the side. The bullets were getting so long that they had to do something to reduce the drag in the barrel. They probably get so long that you need an even tighter RoT like the VLD's.

[jetboatinghunter]

Thanks for all of the input.  I am leaning towards the Nosler accubonds.  Does anyone know how they are really different than the e tip?

[bobcat]

Thanks for all of the input.  I am leaning towards the Nosler accubonds.  Does anyone know how they are really different than the e tip?

The etip is an entirely different type of bullet. It is made of 100% copper, like Barnes bullets. The etip should penetrate better than the Accubond, and retain a higher percentage of its weight. It also likely does not expand quite as much or as easily as the Accubond.

[Bob33]

AccubotBarnes are good but the BC is so bad compared to the others I wouldnt choose them for a long range bullet.

The difference in trajectory at 500 yards between a 180 grain bullet at 2960 ft/sec zeroed at 250 yards with a BC of .4, and one with a BC of .5 is about 3".

Not sure what your point is. If you build your entire rig around long range performance why not use a high b.c. bullet. I have nothing against Barnes, I use them. They wouldnt be my "long range bullet" choice. Just sayin.

My point is that he already defined "long distance" as 500 yards, and at 500 yards the difference in trajectory due to BC is negligible..

[jackelope]

Addicted brings up an interesting point for discussion.
Berger VLD's rely heavily on the rate of twist in the barrel I think, and their bullet that shines regarding the super high BC is their 7mm  bullet. How does their .30 cal bullets stack up#1, #2 are they a good hunting bullet or are they a good target bullet?--I think on deer it doesn't matter much but when you get up into the elk/moose/bear sized animals anyway, and #3 what's your rate of twist in the barrel and how much will that matter? I'm not a long range guy so I don't know the answers here, just raising some possible points for talk.

[high country]

If 500 is your ceiling for distance, any bullet from 150-210 will yeild good results from good shots. If you want to stretch the range, find the highest bc your rifle will shoot. The way I would roll on a 300 used for big game is to choose a 180 based on my guns liking. If you like nozzys and it loves sciroccos....you gonna take pride or accuracy? Shoot a bunch of bullets till you find one that works great. Imo a 20rd box is just barely enough to get a real taste of the relationship between rifle and bullet.

[JPhelps]

Another note is the VLD's don't like to jump very much if at all.  That makes it very hard to take a factory loaded berger and guarantee it shoots good. 

[addicted]

Addicted brings up an interesting point for discussion.
Berger VLD's rely heavily on the rate of twist in the barrel I think, and their bullet that shines regarding the super high BC is their 7mm  bullet. How does their .30 cal bullets stack up#1, #2 are they a good hunting bullet or are they a good target bullet?--I think on deer it doesn't matter much but when you get up into the elk/moose/bear sized animals anyway, and #3 what's your rate of twist in the barrel and how much will that matter? I'm not a long range guy so I don't know the answers here, just raising some possible points for talk.

the Berger VLD is not a strong bullet, and they even claim to make it explode on purpose. But the reason it shines down range is because it is very accurate and has a great BC which helps keep it accurate, fast, and energized long range. It puts proof to the thought that 95% of killing an animal is putting the bullet in the right place.

between 7mm bullets and .338 bullets covering the weights and BC's that they do there is almost no need for 30 cal bullets.
a 7mm 140 boat tail has a BC of .485 which is nearly the .507 of the 180 grain 30 cal with less recoil.