Nosler Ballistic Tip - 165 grain vs 168 grain

[Jerry D]

Whats the difference between the Nosler 165 and 168 grain ballistic tip? I am looking for a good bullet for longer range shooting but also for hunting deer. So I'm looking for a good BC value bullet that will perform well.

Anyhow I shoot a .30-06 and was looking through the previous discussions about bullet selection however I don't see any mention of the 168 grain ballistic tip.

I know the "hunting ballistic tip" bullets have a thicker jacket compared to the "varmint ballistic tips"

Perhaps they discontinued the 165 and replaced it with the 168 as it was new for 2008?

Anyone know the difference besides the 3 grain difference?
Thanks

Edited and the answer is Well - I thought they were closed for the holidays however - I guess they are not, this was bugging me so much that I just decided to give them a call

The only difference is 3 grains - that is the only difference... no thicker jackets etc etc just 3 grains.

The reason they made the 168 was because of the nice BC increase with just an extra 3 grains I guess...

 

[larryh128]

The 168 gr bullet is really the weight of choice for a lot of match shooting & might be the reason for adding it in a ballistic tip bullet. 168 gr match bullets are reknowned for their accuracy. I am a great lover of the ballistic tip bullet for deer as they perform great. However, I would suggest that you try a 130 gr Barnes TSX with a 57 gr charge of Varget, This is a SAFE load with a CCI 200 primer. Muzzle velocity is 3300 fps with great accuracy. It is absolute death on deer - large or small & flat as a laser past 300 yds. Because of the weight of the bullet,, it scrubs speed fast past 400yds but it is without a doubt the most effective deer round that I have ever seen in a 30-06 case.

 

[Nomosendero]

I have both the 165BT & 168BT & the 168 is noticeably longer, more streamlined. The 168 is half way between the 165 & 180BT in BC, but only 3 grainsheavier than the 165, a good tradeoff.

I bought a box to try in my M700VS, so far the 168 A-Max is whipping the 168BT in accuracy, but I am not done yet.

 

[davewilson]

my 30-06 likes the 178 A-max. great long range deer bullet.

 

[Michael Eichele]

I bought a box to try in my M700VS, so far the 168 A-Max is whipping the 168BT in accuracy, but I am not done yet.

I have always had excellent results in the accuracy department with the Nosler ballistic tip. But the AMAX's have performed beyond exceptional in the accuracy department and is he!! on deer and sheep. IMHO the AMAX is one of the cream of the crop for accuracy.