Nosler vs. Sierra

[dullh]

You can get a box of 100 Sierra GameKings for what a 50 count box of Nosler Partitions cost. I wanted to load Noslers when I started handloading but didn't because it was more economical to go with the Sierra's (isn't that one of the reasons of handloading?)

Anyway, advertising hype aside, what makes Noslers so much more money? Are they any better, noticeably better, than Sierras?

 

[rklessdriver]

It entirely depends on what game you are hunting and if your cartridge is capable of driving a certian bullet past its intended velocity range.

I personally like the Nosler Partitioned bullet for heavy built/boned game. It is a sturdy bullet with a proven track record for penetration and expansion when loaded in any cartridge. I use the 180gr Partitioned exclusively in my 30-06 and .300 Weatherby.

Now IMO it is a bit much for some light skinned game such as white tail deer unless you've got some uber 64000 ft per sec Mag rifle. ANY soft point or (hunting) HP bullet would be sufficent in mortal hunting cartridges for these lesser animals.

Sierra makes as good of a bullet as anyone. Sierra is well known for some of the most accurate bullets commercially availiable. One of my favorite little rifles just loves a certain Sierra bullet.

Money wise the Nosler is more because (of its desgin) it takes more time to mfgr.
Will

 

[MCgunner]

If you're going to hunt something really heavy like Elk, Noslers will be preferable. However, deer and hogs, I'd go with the most accurate. Sierra Game Kings never seem to disappoint me with accuracy. The 160 .284" partitions work really well out of my 7 mag, but so do 150 Sierra Game Kings.

I like Barnes for heavy game, too, another accurate bullet and boat tailed for a little better BC than Partitions. Barnes X bullets are pretty awesome.

 

[dullh]

My primary use for these bullets will be for deer this year. I'm using 7mm 140gr Spitzer boat-tail GameKings in my 7mm-08. I took 20 rounds of my handloads with these bullets to a local 100yd spot and it got boring - with the rifle rested they all went through the same hole! I set them to hit 1.5" high at 100yds for a 200yd zero. I expect to be successful this season!

 

[~z]

Boring is good in this instance. Accuracy + preformance = dinner
Good luck with your hunt.
~z
ps good choice on the 7-08

 

[X-Rap]

I guess I have yet to see a Sierra 180 .30 Gameking fail on Elk.

 

[nathan]

I love the explosiveness of the Nosler BT . I have 100 gr BT s with my 2506 and its superaccurate right there.

 

[hillbillydelux]

Nosler partitions are expensive. In my experience they are too much for whitetail in 30-06. Probably just right for elk in that caliber. Every deer I shot with the 150 grain partition had alot of ruined meat. I hit one in the shoulder and it literaly took the shoulder and leg completly off the deer. I switched to ballistic tips for whitetail some years ago and have never had a problem. They are much cheaper and very accurate.

 

[interlock]

gameking in 7mm08

I use 7mm08. i shoot all british deer with it. I tend to use sierras 120gr pro hunter for most things and i also use speers 130 gr spitzer. I have used the speer 145 on red deer also.

My rifle has a short barrel so to get the most out of it i use lighter bullets and faster powder.

If i had a 24 inch barrelled rifle i would shoot 145gr speer hot cor at everything. It is a tough bonded bullet that will penetrate deeply on big animals and not cause excessive damage on smaller animals. It is cheaper than the partition. The partition is an excellant bullet also.

In my opinion a ballistic tip pushed fast will cause extensive meat damage. i don't like them..... but many people shoot many animals with them.

This is a picture of a speer 145 gr hot cor dug from a massive rotten log.



i have also removed 2 from many deer over the years. they look just the same. vernon speer would be very proud

 

[rhino57]

I have been loading both for many years and have taken many Deer with each, both will do an excellent job. The only reason I would choose one over another depends on which I have on hand. Thats just me talking now!

 

[Art Eatman]

I was messing around on a steel plate at 500 yards. All Sierra; 150, 165 and 180 grains from an '06.

The 180 definitely made a deeper gouge in the steel than the others. A more heavily constructed bullet, looks like. Probably penetrate quite nicely on an elk.

 

[rodngun]

I shoot both Nosler B/T's and the Accubonds.B/t's on varmints and the accubonds on big game.I dont like to have to go looking for deer.I like them to go 2 ft at the most.2 ft straight to the ground.So I shoot Nosler.I have shot just about every bullet known to man,with the exception of the new e-bullet and I am sure thats just around the corner.