30 Nosler - 180 or 200? NP or A-Frame?

[meigsbucks]

I'd choose Swifts over Noslers because they won't batter the tips in the magazine (not a huge problem in a .30) and I like the higher weight retention. But that's just me. I've used both and they will both do the job. As far as which weight, I've only used 180's in .30 mags but last year my friend asked me what bullet to use in his .300 Win mag for brown bear. I recommended a 200 Swift. It worked fine as at 120 yds, he broke the shoulder and the bullet exited. What more can you ask of a bullet?
As long as your not expecting a lot of 400+ yard shooting, I'd go with the 200's. For kudu, zebra and gemsbok... Should be awesome!
Enjoy your safari and shoot straight.

 

[Alaska]

I prefer the bonded expects of the Swift bullets or the Nosler Accubond.

 

[Alaska]

Suggest Swift A frame but both or great bullets.
Federal Ascent 200gr would be excellent also !

Only bullet I have recovered from a 1500 lb moose swift A frame 225gr from 338 win mag at 300 yards. Bullet went entire length of moose and lodged in the back hip under the skin. Still 93% weight retention excellent
71.0 of IMR 4350. .

 

[Doc Kelly]

Headed to Eastern Cape in Sept for plains game. Normally I use Bergers here in the States, but looking to develop a load for my 30 Nosler for plains game — zebra, kudu, gemsbuk, impala.

180 gr at 3150 fps Nosler Partition or A-Frame?

Or

200 gr at 3000 fps Nosler Partitio or A-Frame?

Thx.

Red
Dallas, Texas

I have many rifles , and by chance one is a Nosler 30 . I use custom loaded 212gr ELD x . They work .

 

[Ryan]

It's your safari, what do you want and expect to do?

Talk to your outfitter and find out what they consider the likely shot distances and opportunities. Combine that with the distances you want to shoot at and what shot oppotunities you're willing take or pass up. At 300 yards or so or less with the possibility of taking some shots at hard bone like frontal or quartering towards you go with the A frame (either weight) or Barnes TTSX. The Berger is a cup and core bullet and won't work as well under those curcumstances. If your preference is farther than that and you are willing to wait for a perfect broadside shot, the Berger works great. To each their own.

 

[AB2506]

Either 180 (I personally think the A-Frame is superior, but both will get the job done) - I would use both on anything larger than a mouse before a Berger - but I am old school). The 180 will handle anything on your list and the Eastern Cape is famous for often requiring a bit of reach - you negate a bit of that capability with the 200. A supremely accurate magnum .30 180 will handle any situation you will face. Have a great hunt!

Pretty much agree totally with Redleg.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Regardless of caliber, speed or even shot placement, you MUST consider the terminal performance of the bullet used.

Very long range shooting requires soft, frangible bullets because the impact velocity is low, so the bullet must open and penetrate at low velocities - two aspects of performance that are seemingly opposed to each other. At long range precise placement on game is much more difficult/unlikely. Even putting the bullet in the right place frangible bullets can fail under some circumstances.

I have used Nosler Partitions for many years on deer and elk successfully. The front section of the bullet expands and the rear section holds together and maintains penetration. I have also used Bitterroot Bonded Bullets on bull elk and A-Frames successfully on animals from impala, reed buck, hartebeest, zebra, eland and buffalo.

When hunting I may have a shot at 75 yards or 350 to 400 yards. I like a bullet that expands and penetrates at any range I choose to shoot. I always choose lead and copper bullets - bonded for animals larger than deer.

YMMV.

 

[Joker12]

With what's on your list a Hornady interlock or Speer hot core would work just fine. The choices that you mentioned are both superb bullets. Let your rifle make the choice.