speer tnt bulletts

prime8 · August 12, 2007, 08:27 PM

Im thinking of using 125 gr 30 cal bullets for my ptr. Id like to get close to 3000 fps, and accurate out to 300 yds. Are these bullets any good for varmints, or am I better served using 147 win bt's? Ive never loaded specifically for varmints. I hunt alot of public land and fmj bullets worry me sometimes. A frangible quality could put my mind at ease, and open a few more setups to my playbook. Any experience with the tnt 30 cal bullets would be appreciated. Thanks

Trapper L · August 12, 2007, 09:16 PM

I load a lot of the TNT 125s. I mostly use them on the 308s for varmints and they work fabulous. They are not for taking pelts though as they are explosive. Some of the guys are loading them in the 300 Win Mags where they are shooting at deer at over 300 yds. Bullet expansion is still possible out of these bullets at that yardage but they have slowed enough to not be explosive. It seems to work for them. I recommend them highly for varmint hunting and they are as accurate as any match grade bullet as I can shoot a little hole group at 200 yds with my Savage 110S, Winchester Model 70, and Remington 700 BDL.

castnblast · August 13, 2007, 11:24 PM

That's what the TNT's are designed for. Most all balistic tips are designed for the same result. I think it's an excellent choice for what you plan to use them. I would not load the FMJ's. Too dangerous and unpredictable given the circumstances you outlined...

Bottom Gun · August 14, 2007, 02:58 PM

I've loaded them for years and found them to be accurate and quite explosive when they land. They are excellent bullets.
I would not use these on big game though because they are so explosive.

I load them with IMR4064 and Winchester primers.
My Garand used to love these things.

45Marlin carbine · August 14, 2007, 07:47 PM

I've loaded some for 'yotes but haven't had time to hunt with them, they shoot great though. this is in my Mini-30.

30Cal · August 14, 2007, 07:57 PM

I love em! I haven't shot anything but paper with them, so...

They shoot beautifully. Very accurate on top of every combination of primer and powder I've tried and over a huge range of charge weights. Seat to 2.75" OaL. I move them at 2940fps through my M1A using IMR4895 and I could go faster without problems. At 2450fps, the recoil is nil and great for 100-200yd targets.

10 shots, 100yds, prone, iron sights, M1A supermatch

I've had many 3 shot sub-MoA groups with that great little bullet. It really hammers, and for the price, it just can't be beat. I've fired over 4,000 of them so far. Don't be afraid to buy as many as you can possibly afford.

Ty

prime8 · August 14, 2007, 08:46 PM

That was exactly what I needed to know. Ive stuck with Sierra till now. I love my game and matchkings, but not enough selection in the blitz.
Thanks to all!!! Will post some results.

Vitamin G · August 15, 2007, 08:29 AM

Bottom Gun,

Can i ask what yout charge was for these with 4064? I have a nice supply of these, and use 4064 almost exclusively. It would be nice to have a garand loading with them.

Bottom Gun · August 15, 2007, 12:34 PM

I'm at work right now and can't look in my book but it was exactly one grain below the max load published in the Lyman manual.
They are fairly snappy loads but I wasn't concerned about using it in my Garand since the bullet is so light.

August 12, 2007, 08:27 PM	#1
prime8 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: In a tent in Iowa Posts: 434	speer tnt bulletts Im thinking of using 125 gr 30 cal bullets for my ptr. Id like to get close to 3000 fps, and accurate out to 300 yds. Are these bullets any good for varmints, or am I better served using 147 win bt's? Ive never loaded specifically for varmints. I hunt alot of public land and fmj bullets worry me sometimes. A frangible quality could put my mind at ease, and open a few more setups to my playbook. Any experience with the tnt 30 cal bullets would be appreciated. Thanks

August 14, 2007, 08:46 PM	#7
prime8 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: In a tent in Iowa Posts: 434	Thank you That was exactly what I needed to know. Ive stuck with Sierra till now. I love my game and matchkings, but not enough selection in the blitz. Thanks to all!!! Will post some results.

August 12, 2007, 09:16 PM	#2
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	I load a lot of the TNT 125s. I mostly use them on the 308s for varmints and they work fabulous. They are not for taking pelts though as they are explosive. Some of the guys are loading them in the 300 Win Mags where they are shooting at deer at over 300 yds. Bullet expansion is still possible out of these bullets at that yardage but they have slowed enough to not be explosive. It seems to work for them. I recommend them highly for varmint hunting and they are as accurate as any match grade bullet as I can shoot a little hole group at 200 yds with my Savage 110S, Winchester Model 70, and Remington 700 BDL.

August 13, 2007, 11:24 PM	#3
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	That's what the TNT's are designed for. Most all balistic tips are designed for the same result. I think it's an excellent choice for what you plan to use them. I would not load the FMJ's. Too dangerous and unpredictable given the circumstances you outlined...

August 14, 2007, 02:58 PM	#4
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	I've loaded them for years and found them to be accurate and quite explosive when they land. They are excellent bullets. I would not use these on big game though because they are so explosive. I load them with IMR4064 and Winchester primers. My Garand used to love these things.

August 14, 2007, 07:47 PM	#5
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	I've loaded some for 'yotes but haven't had time to hunt with them, they shoot great though. this is in my Mini-30.

August 14, 2007, 07:57 PM	#6
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	I love em! I haven't shot anything but paper with them, so... They shoot beautifully. Very accurate on top of every combination of primer and powder I've tried and over a huge range of charge weights. Seat to 2.75" OaL. I move them at 2940fps through my M1A using IMR4895 and I could go faster without problems. At 2450fps, the recoil is nil and great for 100-200yd targets. 10 shots, 100yds, prone, iron sights, M1A supermatch I've had many 3 shot sub-MoA groups with that great little bullet. It really hammers, and for the price, it just can't be beat. I've fired over 4,000 of them so far. Don't be afraid to buy as many as you can possibly afford. Ty

August 15, 2007, 08:29 AM	#8
Vitamin G Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 307	Bottom Gun, Can i ask what yout charge was for these with 4064? I have a nice supply of these, and use 4064 almost exclusively. It would be nice to have a garand loading with them.

August 15, 2007, 12:34 PM	#9
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	I'm at work right now and can't look in my book but it was exactly one grain below the max load published in the Lyman manual. They are fairly snappy loads but I wasn't concerned about using it in my Garand since the bullet is so light.