Do you guy's think that the 120 NBT in 7-30 Waters will hold up on a large Mule Deer buck.
Thanks

I've been using the 120's in mine and I may use them next year when I draw my eastern oregon mule deer tag but I'm thinking about trying the 140 BT's and Accubonds. I shot a small blacktail doe with the 120's and the first shot was angling towards me at 125yds and I caught the lungs and blew out 3 ribs with a massive exit wound. The doe went down and regained her feet so I shot a second time with the entrance only about 1.5" from the first but she was quartered away this time so I got the lungs again but hit the off shoulder. I found the lead core in the back strap and the jacket in the meat on the inner part of the leg a couple inches below the shoulder socket. the core had seperated and run up the body cavity and stopped at the back strap so I'm thinking maybe a heavier bullet for more kinetic energy and maybe the accubond with the bonded core will hold together better.

Yes.....been using them out of 7-08 rifles for years.............

I have only used them on antelope so far, but I have been very impressed with them. I don't think you'll have any problem with them on broadside, heart/lung shots.

Yes in a 708 rifle a 120 would do great! If fact it would pretty much duplicate a 25-06! But in a pistol and 7-30 Waters I would say shoot the 139-140 bullet. There is over 500 fps difference in a 708 rifle and a 7-30 Waters pistol when comparing a 120gr bullet!! That is a lot. I am not saying it can’t be done, I am just saying I would use a 139-140 bullet. Of course this is also my mentality. I am shooting a 139 SST out of my 11in 7mm TCU.

I called Nosler and asked them about shooting a pig with a 120 BT and they said it would be a little light and that they would suggest using a 140 BT. Again this is just my .02… but I thought it was pertinent to the conversation.

I'm a little hesitant, it's not a bonded bullet and the mule deer here in western Montana are very larged body animals.

I don't blame you. I still think if you pick your shots you'll be fine. If your not confident in it though, I would use a different bullet or round. I never want to shoot at game with a bullet that I don't have confidence in. You might want to try the 120 NBTs on a few whitetail first and see how they hold up.

Heck yes it will. I use them in my 30-30 ack, and they work very well.

Lars

I shoot the 120 Vmax out of my 7-30 but for Mule Deer I would go with the Nolser 140 BT or the 139 Hornady BTSP

Just got done loading up some 139 Hornady BTSP. I've shoot them before, but just can't seem to get as good of a group as the NBT's. I've taken alot of game w/ the Hornadys,and have great faith in them, so will give them a try.
Thanks again for the help guys
Norm

I have killed a couple of small to medium sized muley with 120 grain bullet, using a 14" 7mm TCU (many moons ago).
With this cartridge i kept the distance under 200 yards.

I agree on the 200 yard limitation XP. I think the lower velocity of the 7-30 Waters is an advantage with the 120 gr NBT. I have heard of some people having trouble with them breaking up in other calibers when pushed at much higher velocities. They perform well in the 7-30 Waters velocity range.

I will have to be honest and state that I don’t have any experience with the 120’s. But I have been very happy with the 140 NBT’s. They exceeded my expectations.

140 Nosler BT with 32 grains of H335

I've used the 120gr BT's in the 7-30 with no problems on mulies