125 gr 30 cal bullets

Wyosmith · February 22, 2018, 09:59 PM

Well I just came into about 1,300 125 grain 30 caliber bullets in a trade. I have some Sierras, some Remington Core-Lokts and some Nosler BT "hunting".

In all my years of hand-loading and shooting, I have never used a 125 grain in any of my 30 cal rifles.
I have some 308s, some 30-06s and one 300 H&H.

So.............. Any insights?

Have any of you ever used any of those bullets for hunting before. If so what was your impressions of them? Do they hold together on deer sized game, or blow up?
Tell me your stories please.

Mobuck · February 22, 2018, 10:21 PM

Generally speaking, .308 125 grainers would be considered varmint to light game bullets.
I used Hornady and Sierra 125's for years in 30/06 for coyotes.
I can't remember how/where I found the Remington 125 grain bullets I have but they mike .3095" diameter even though they were advertised as .308". I use them in 7.62x39 for deer hunting with good results.

jmr40 · February 22, 2018, 11:05 PM

That bullet weight is pretty common for reduced recoil loads. Loaded light so impact speeds aren't too fast they apparently work quite well on Whitetails. I've never used them personally, but have seen them recommended for that purpose.

GeauxTide · February 23, 2018, 08:37 AM

A buddy uses 125 Sierra GK HP and loves them at 3100 in a .308.

Brian Pfleuger · February 23, 2018, 08:57 AM

I tinkered with some in hopes of using a .30-06 as a varmint gun. Why would I do such a thing, I ask? I’m not really sure.

In any case, they proved to be useless, for me.
They were labeled varmint and I’m sure much too lightly constructed for big game, though I have no doubt they would have been quite effective against deer sized animals.
The bigger issue was they they were incredibly inaccurate. As I recall, worst loads I’ve ever tried. I pondered why and how to make improvement briefly, and then came to the staggering conclusion that a .30-06 is not exactly a great varmint gun anyway.

Zen Archery · February 23, 2018, 09:00 AM

I've got a great load using a 125 Sierra out of my 30.06. I would have no qualms shooting anything up to hog and deer size animals with this load.

NHSHOOTER · February 23, 2018, 09:22 AM

I shoot a 7-08 which is nothing more than a necked down 308 and I shoot 120 gr nosler BT and sierra game kings with excellent results, accuracy and penetration without coming apart..

Art Eatman · February 23, 2018, 09:53 AM

Since the issue is jacket strength and the makers' intent, seems to me to be worth an inquiry there.

CarJunkieLS1 · February 23, 2018, 01:27 PM

The 125 Sierra's and 125 Noslers were 100% designed to be medium game bullets not Varmint bullets. A friend of mine uses the 125 Sierra in his .308 and he punched through both shoulders of a buck at 20 yards. A varmint bullet wouldn't do that. Another buddy loads his daughters .308 to 2750fps and she's dropped every single deer she's hit with it and 5/6 bullets have exited.

I use the 125 Nosler Accubond at 2800fps and it was devastating at 15 yards on the doe I shot. It was a "light switch" and the vitals were totally destroyed.

Load them and shoot them at 3000fps and lower and you'll have no problems.

Wyosmith · February 23, 2018, 01:49 PM

My thinking was that if I load them to about that speed (2700 to 2750) in the 308s and 30-06s they may just be a good combo for deer and antelope. They can be driven quite a bit faster, but I can't see any reason to do it.

I read about some super good accuracy from a 300H&H with 125s, but I can't imagine they would not come apart on a deer at any distance this side of 400 yards when they leave the muzzle at 3500+ FPS. So I doubt I'll load them in the 300 mag no matter how accurate they are.

I like my venison so I don't want bombs, but if they will not blow up I may just try them on deer and antelope.

Of the 3, do any of you know any pros or cons as to which ones are the best or worst?
I am hoping someone has specific info for me.

The Noslers are not bonded. They are "Ballistic Tip Hunting" bullets which are reported to have thick jackets through the shanks.
The Sierra's and the Remington's are standard cup and core bullets but I don't have any idea of how thick their jackets are. I guess it's time to cut them and see.

zipspyder · February 23, 2018, 01:55 PM

As long as they are not varmint bullets they should work as good as any other bullet in that weight class.

T. O'Heir · February 23, 2018, 02:09 PM

I'd be forgetting the .300 H&H. Jackets would probably be stripped off upon firing. Although there's 130 grain data on Hodgdon's site. Starts at a tick over 3100 FPS.
Sierra makes a 125 grain Matchking, a Tipped Matchking and a Prohunter SP(a long range varmint bullet(so is a 168 or 200 grain bullet), or low recoil medium game bullet according to them.). Which one you have matters. Matchkings are not for hunting anything except varmints.
Remington has basically quit making their 125. Limited Production. However, Core-Lokts are the bullets everything else is compared to despite what No$ler thinks. Still an SP that'll do for varmints or deer sized game.
No$ler doesn't make anything but what they call a hunting bullet. Also made for deer sized game.
Use the Sierra SP data on Hodgdon's site. Velocities are with a 24" barrel and 1 in 10 rifling with .30-06. 1 in 12 in .308. Kind of daft that twist.

603Country · February 23, 2018, 04:03 PM

I have two friends that shoot Nosler 125 gr BTs in handloads in their 30-378 wby rifles. It seems that the bullet works just fine, or they’d quit using it. It probably wouldn’t be my first choice in that caliber.

jmr40 · February 23, 2018, 04:56 PM

Quote:

I shoot a 7-08 which is nothing more than a necked down 308 and I shoot 120 gr nosler BT and sierra game kings with excellent results, accuracy and penetration without coming apart..

Not really a fair comparison. A 120 gr 7mm bullet is a mid weight bullet that compares more closely to a 150 gr 30 caliber bullet and will perform much like a 150 from a 308. A 125 gr 30 caliber bullet is really on the light side.

The SD of a 120 gr 7mm bullet is .213
The SD of a 125 gr .308 bullet is .185
The SD of a 150 gr .308 bullet is .226

603Country · February 23, 2018, 05:45 PM

All this back and forth is interesting, but if the OP has hundreds of them, i’m sure he’ll try them out. I sure would. It would probably be great for deer or pronghorns.

Wyosmith · February 23, 2018, 05:55 PM

I found I was wrong. I don't have 1300. I have 1950 or them.
1000 Remingtons
600 Sierras
350 Noslers
So I think I should find something to shoot with them.

Brian Pfleuger · February 23, 2018, 08:25 PM

It would be fun to try them with Trail Boss. It would probably sound like a cap gun and max out around 1,600 fps. Not very useful, but fun.

jaysouth · February 23, 2018, 10:35 PM

13 grs. of Red Dot in the 308 or 30-06 will give you a 1600 fps fun load for the range. Great way to get a youngster shooting big rifles

Sure Shot Mc Gee · February 24, 2018, 12:45 AM

Ive used 125s for target practice only. Don't knows I would use for deer hunting. Could duplicate the speed of a 130 gr 270 I suppose using 125s in a 30-06 barreled rifle. But why when I have the real McCoy (270) already parked in my safe. Besides I'm found of 30-WCF 94s. Not one iota interested in 30-06 toting about. You others may differ in your preference and that's fine and dandy.

taylorce1 · February 24, 2018, 01:12 AM

My recommendation would be to section one of each bullet to look at the jacket thickness, just to satisfy your curiosity. However, I can tell you the 125 grain Nosler is a deer killing SOB. It has accounted for 10 whitetail and 2 pronghorn in the last 4 years from my daughter's .300 Savage with a MV just over 3000 fps. They don't blow up and they punch through bone, she's used them from 50-350 yards.

I've considered loading them up in my .30-06 just to see how hard I can push them. It's a great medium game bullet IMO, and if you're not really interested in them I'd happily buy them off you. I'll bet if you try them you'll be hooked, and they'll hold up on game even out of a .300 H&H.

Buzzcook · February 24, 2018, 02:03 AM

I have heard stories about Corelokts fragmenting at high speed. Don't have any idea how fast is too fast though.

Ibmikey · February 25, 2018, 09:25 AM

Wyosmith, You should consider selling some of them, my favorite bullet for my 300 Blackout’s just happens to be 125 grains for Texas hogs to making steel ring 100 yards away, the stores seem to have every weight except 125 up in this country.

bamaranger · February 26, 2018, 05:30 AM

I have read that some of the 125 gr/.30 cal slugs are actually intended as medium game bullets (deer/antelope) and are a bit tough for lower velocities from the likes of the 30-30 or .300 BLK. Posts from others on this thread seem to support that.

I've actually shot a fair number of .308 dia slugs of lighter weight from my 7.62x39mm bolt rifle, (likely bored .310) and they did well enough accuracy wise to serve for useful 100-200 yd practice.

If you ever needed an excuse, this might be an opportunity to run out and by a Ruger American in the x39mm caliber and see how it does with your varied slugs. I bet it shoots OK, and you'll find other uses for the rifle as well.

eastbank · February 27, 2018, 05:48 PM

stoke them up and shoot them thru the lungs, dead deer with no meat damage, I don,t like lung soup anyway.

jackstrawIII · March 6, 2018, 01:25 PM

I'll buy those 125 Noslers off you!

I love the 125 grain Accubonds. They shoot really well out of all my 308s, and are a great option for deer.

To be fair to Sierra, I've gotten great results with the 125 Pro Hunters too, but at reduced speeds.

February 22, 2018, 09:59 PM	#1
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	125 gr 30 cal bullets Well I just came into about 1,300 125 grain 30 caliber bullets in a trade. I have some Sierras, some Remington Core-Lokts and some Nosler BT "hunting". In all my years of hand-loading and shooting, I have never used a 125 grain in any of my 30 cal rifles. I have some 308s, some 30-06s and one 300 H&H. So.............. Any insights? Have any of you ever used any of those bullets for hunting before. If so what was your impressions of them? Do they hold together on deer sized game, or blow up? Tell me your stories please.

February 22, 2018, 11:05 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	That bullet weight is pretty common for reduced recoil loads. Loaded light so impact speeds aren't too fast they apparently work quite well on Whitetails. I've never used them personally, but have seen them recommended for that purpose. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

February 23, 2018, 08:57 AM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I tinkered with some in hopes of using a .30-06 as a varmint gun. Why would I do such a thing, I ask? I’m not really sure. In any case, they proved to be useless, for me. They were labeled varmint and I’m sure much too lightly constructed for big game, though I have no doubt they would have been quite effective against deer sized animals. The bigger issue was they they were incredibly inaccurate. As I recall, worst loads I’ve ever tried. I pondered why and how to make improvement briefly, and then came to the staggering conclusion that a .30-06 is not exactly a great varmint gun anyway. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 23, 2018, 09:00 AM	#6
Zen Archery Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 274	I've got a great load using a 125 Sierra out of my 30.06. I would have no qualms shooting anything up to hog and deer size animals with this load. __________________ Video Hunting Library

February 23, 2018, 02:09 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	I'd be forgetting the .300 H&H. Jackets would probably be stripped off upon firing. Although there's 130 grain data on Hodgdon's site. Starts at a tick over 3100 FPS. Sierra makes a 125 grain Matchking, a Tipped Matchking and a Prohunter SP(a long range varmint bullet(so is a 168 or 200 grain bullet), or low recoil medium game bullet according to them.). Which one you have matters. Matchkings are not for hunting anything except varmints. Remington has basically quit making their 125. Limited Production. However, Core-Lokts are the bullets everything else is compared to despite what No$ler thinks. Still an SP that'll do for varmints or deer sized game. No$ler doesn't make anything but what they call a hunting bullet. Also made for deer sized game. Use the Sierra SP data on Hodgdon's site. Velocities are with a 24" barrel and 1 in 10 rifling with .30-06. 1 in 12 in .308. Kind of daft that twist. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 22, 2018, 10:21 PM	#2
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Generally speaking, .308 125 grainers would be considered varmint to light game bullets. I used Hornady and Sierra 125's for years in 30/06 for coyotes. I can't remember how/where I found the Remington 125 grain bullets I have but they mike .3095" diameter even though they were advertised as .308". I use them in 7.62x39 for deer hunting with good results.

February 23, 2018, 08:37 AM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	A buddy uses 125 Sierra GK HP and loves them at 3100 in a .308.

February 23, 2018, 09:22 AM	#7
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I shoot a 7-08 which is nothing more than a necked down 308 and I shoot 120 gr nosler BT and sierra game kings with excellent results, accuracy and penetration without coming apart..

February 23, 2018, 09:53 AM	#8
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Since the issue is jacket strength and the makers' intent, seems to me to be worth an inquiry there.

February 23, 2018, 01:27 PM	#9
CarJunkieLS1 Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 686	The 125 Sierra's and 125 Noslers were 100% designed to be medium game bullets not Varmint bullets. A friend of mine uses the 125 Sierra in his .308 and he punched through both shoulders of a buck at 20 yards. A varmint bullet wouldn't do that. Another buddy loads his daughters .308 to 2750fps and she's dropped every single deer she's hit with it and 5/6 bullets have exited. I use the 125 Nosler Accubond at 2800fps and it was devastating at 15 yards on the doe I shot. It was a "light switch" and the vitals were totally destroyed. Load them and shoot them at 3000fps and lower and you'll have no problems.

February 23, 2018, 01:49 PM	#10
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	My thinking was that if I load them to about that speed (2700 to 2750) in the 308s and 30-06s they may just be a good combo for deer and antelope. They can be driven quite a bit faster, but I can't see any reason to do it. I read about some super good accuracy from a 300H&H with 125s, but I can't imagine they would not come apart on a deer at any distance this side of 400 yards when they leave the muzzle at 3500+ FPS. So I doubt I'll load them in the 300 mag no matter how accurate they are. I like my venison so I don't want bombs, but if they will not blow up I may just try them on deer and antelope. Of the 3, do any of you know any pros or cons as to which ones are the best or worst? I am hoping someone has specific info for me. The Noslers are not bonded. They are "Ballistic Tip Hunting" bullets which are reported to have thick jackets through the shanks. The Sierra's and the Remington's are standard cup and core bullets but I don't have any idea of how thick their jackets are. I guess it's time to cut them and see.

February 23, 2018, 01:55 PM	#11
zipspyder Junior member Join Date: June 13, 2017 Posts: 429	As long as they are not varmint bullets they should work as good as any other bullet in that weight class.

February 23, 2018, 04:03 PM	#13
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I have two friends that shoot Nosler 125 gr BTs in handloads in their 30-378 wby rifles. It seems that the bullet works just fine, or they’d quit using it. It probably wouldn’t be my first choice in that caliber.

February 23, 2018, 05:45 PM	#15
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	All this back and forth is interesting, but if the OP has hundreds of them, i’m sure he’ll try them out. I sure would. It would probably be great for deer or pronghorns.

February 23, 2018, 05:55 PM	#16
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I found I was wrong. I don't have 1300. I have 1950 or them. 1000 Remingtons 600 Sierras 350 Noslers So I think I should find something to shoot with them.

February 23, 2018, 08:25 PM	#17
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	It would be fun to try them with Trail Boss. It would probably sound like a cap gun and max out around 1,600 fps. Not very useful, but fun. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 23, 2018, 10:35 PM	#18
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	13 grs. of Red Dot in the 308 or 30-06 will give you a 1600 fps fun load for the range. Great way to get a youngster shooting big rifles

February 24, 2018, 12:45 AM	#19
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Ive used 125s for target practice only. Don't knows I would use for deer hunting. Could duplicate the speed of a 130 gr 270 I suppose using 125s in a 30-06 barreled rifle. But why when I have the real McCoy (270) already parked in my safe. Besides I'm found of 30-WCF 94s. Not one iota interested in 30-06 toting about. You others may differ in your preference and that's fine and dandy.

February 24, 2018, 01:12 AM	#20
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	My recommendation would be to section one of each bullet to look at the jacket thickness, just to satisfy your curiosity. However, I can tell you the 125 grain Nosler is a deer killing SOB. It has accounted for 10 whitetail and 2 pronghorn in the last 4 years from my daughter's .300 Savage with a MV just over 3000 fps. They don't blow up and they punch through bone, she's used them from 50-350 yards. I've considered loading them up in my .30-06 just to see how hard I can push them. It's a great medium game bullet IMO, and if you're not really interested in them I'd happily buy them off you. I'll bet if you try them you'll be hooked, and they'll hold up on game even out of a .300 H&H. __________________ NRA Life Member

February 24, 2018, 02:03 AM	#21
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I have heard stories about Corelokts fragmenting at high speed. Don't have any idea how fast is too fast though.

February 25, 2018, 09:25 AM	#22
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Wyosmith, You should consider selling some of them, my favorite bullet for my 300 Blackout’s just happens to be 125 grains for Texas hogs to making steel ring 100 yards away, the stores seem to have every weight except 125 up in this country.

February 26, 2018, 05:30 AM	#23
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,303	125 gr I have read that some of the 125 gr/.30 cal slugs are actually intended as medium game bullets (deer/antelope) and are a bit tough for lower velocities from the likes of the 30-30 or .300 BLK. Posts from others on this thread seem to support that. I've actually shot a fair number of .308 dia slugs of lighter weight from my 7.62x39mm bolt rifle, (likely bored .310) and they did well enough accuracy wise to serve for useful 100-200 yd practice. If you ever needed an excuse, this might be an opportunity to run out and by a Ruger American in the x39mm caliber and see how it does with your varied slugs. I bet it shoots OK, and you'll find other uses for the rifle as well.

February 27, 2018, 05:48 PM	#24
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	stoke them up and shoot them thru the lungs, dead deer with no meat damage, I don,t like lung soup anyway. Last edited by eastbank; February 27, 2018 at 06:16 PM.

March 6, 2018, 01:25 PM	#25
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 901	I'll buy those 125 Noslers off you! I love the 125 grain Accubonds. They shoot really well out of all my 308s, and are a great option for deer. To be fair to Sierra, I've gotten great results with the 125 Pro Hunters too, but at reduced speeds. __________________ In God we trust.