Copper Bullet BC Performance and Hornady Flex Tip - Season 2: Episode 18
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast! In this episode, I answer listener questions about the copper bullet BC Performance, 308 vs 7-08, the 17 Hornet, the Hornady Flex Tip, and more.
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: Red 11 Media - www.red11media...
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
Lever revolution!! Good stuff!! 💪🇺🇸
I learn something every time I watch a Ron podcast. Years of enjoying the outdoors and learning the things that interest most outdoors sports people. Thanks Ron for good information and fun outdoor post. 🎥💯🏆
You're welcome, Joel.
your humility and continuingly highlighting still learning is so great to see, you sure don't sound like so many from your country lol. This aussie appreciates your videos so much, thank you.
Love the wildlife bulletin cover! Had some good times in college going to wildlife society meetings.
That's awesome!
The parent cartridge for the 17 Rem is a 222 Rem Mag necked down and trimmed to length . I have made 17 Rem out of 223 shells but they are visibly shorter .
Great book for any read. In Wildlife biology we read the book. The Wildlife society journal is a great pick up if you want to read what people are doing for research and conservation. Me being a graduate in wildlife biology I learned a lot on wildlife behavior and habitat management. Great podcast on BC.
Sorry Ron, I agree 100% with your ballistics breakdown of the 308 however, there is the one aspect of the .308 that will always keep me coming back for more - availability!!!! For the past 5 months I have struggled to find any reloading components for my 6.5 CM and factory ammo is just priced way too high, but during that same time I have had no issues finding my reloading supplies for the 308. Kinda like the 5.56 - it's always there. Great podcast!!! God bless and take care.
That's a good reason to like it.
The one thing that I will say about the .308 is this, You can almost always find ammo for it, or 7.62 x 51. We just went through an ammo shortage. The 7.62 x 51 is way cheaper too. The .260remington was a home run that nobody noticed.
if you keep buying Russian ammo you have lost many of us who recognise how evil they are
The thing I say about the 308 is why own one when you can own a 30-06. 😂😂
I’ve got a 7-08ai “walkabout” jerrett built gun given to me by a long time man I guided that took animals all over the world. Sweet little gun
Hanging out in my local Gun Shop when the 260 Rem first came out the talk was it's a "Sweed" 6.5 in short pants as was the 7mm/08 was a 270 in short pants, I was almost ready to buy a 260 Rem, but the 7mm/08 was ammo ready. to were the 260 Rem rifle was out but (No Ammo)🤨😪
I’m a 7mm-08 fan myself what I like most about it is the hunting bullet selection is really good over the 6.5 but the 6.5 is gaining ground. The 308 is just an amazing all purpose round. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a gun in any of them.
Good video thanks
🤔 Another important point to your video regarding "Long Range Shooting Cartridges" (Note, I did not say "Hunting Cartridges", an "Oxymoron" to me!) ... I have owned several! The 338 Lapua Magnum, the 308 Lazzeroni Warbird (416 Rigby necked down to a 30 caliber), and the Thor's Hammer (408 Cheytac necked down to a 30 caliber)! The point is that though we are getting better bullets and powders, etc...that it is hard to find many bullets that will stabilize or hold up to these higher velocities! From a practical hunting standpoint, I went back to the 270 Winchester! It shoots plenty flat, doesn't wreck alot of meat, and is pleasant to shoot! I know their are people on the other extreme that will try elephant hunting with their 6.5 Creedmore, but I am Happy to see most of the Industry going to the lighter end of the cartridge development over the Big Magnums! At least more people will be able to shoot the smaller calibers at what they are aiming at! I just wish more people would come to their senses! I know it took me years of experimenting before I did, so I can't criticize anyone else, but I would just like to keep others from making the same mistake! Please keep emphasizing these points and save our Wildlife from experiencing unnecessary meat waste and unpleasant deaths! Hunting Ethics Should Always Be The #1 Priority To Pass Down To The Next Generation, In My "Humble" Opinion! I Hope That You Will Share At Least Some Of My Concerns With Others and Pass On What You Have Learned From Your Mistakes and Past "Misconceptions"? And, As Always, Remember to "Keep "Safety the First (Top) Priority When Handling Any Firearm"! 🤷♂️ Thanks! 🙂
Thanks for your wise advice, Ron. Safety for sure.
I was a Gunner's mate in the Navy and the Navy likes to LOB bullets in anyway 308 bullet 165 grain out of a 762 by 51 at a 45 degree angle will go seven and a half miles
🤠 THANK YOU for mentioning one of the "Three Main Rules" of Hunters Safety - "Know Your Target and Beyond"! I am horrified every hunting season to see the number of hunters that are violating the "basic" rules of gun safety! The other two - "Treat every gun as if it were loaded" and "Always point the gun in a safe direction"! How many states don't even require "Hunters Safety" be taught before issuing a hunting lisence OR selling people a gun? Hummm...I hope that you will continue to make these "Gun Safety" discussions apart of all your future hunting/shooting videos! PLEASE???🙏 The life you save may be your own! 🧐
I’d love to hear your opinion on Nosler Partitions vs Nosler accubond. I’ve heard you say great things about both but I’d love to hear which is your favorite and why?
I like the Accubond for its higher BCs and the Partition for its terminal performance. Partition seems to shed a little less weight and penetrate a bit farther. Both are close in terminal performance, however, so I go AB if expecting 300 yard + shots.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast I always tough the AB was a tough bullet? Aren’t bonded bullets supposed to hold together better?
@@borkwoof696 Bonded bullets do keep jacket and lead core together, but the soft lead still erodes and can break away with pieces of the gilding metal jacket. Much superior to cup/core bullets, but not quite as good as partitioned styles where some of the lead is locked behind an internal wall.
USA army did tests on a 30-06 out of a Garand many years ago. Max range was 5,6km @ 36deg angle. Wil look for the article again.
I liked this video I don't sub to podcast's I usually only listen to them when traveling most run on too long this is my first sub to one
Thanks Bill.
I guess I will stop trying to take ducks with my .338Lapua now, thanks Ron for that.
Ron great advice on shooting without a safe back drop, because i remember reading about a lady that got shot with a 00 buck pellet during a deer drive, the single pellet hit her in the head and killed her. on the news is said she was approximately 400 yards away in the woods she was part of the drive. this was a couple decades ago.
Hey Ron, hearing about the fast 17s reminds me of how excited everyone seemed to be about the 204 for taking fur, and now I can't remember the last time I heard anyone talk about it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Good observation, russtuff. Yes, the 204 Ruger did land with a significant splash. Deserved, too. But I think half of the attention was because this was our first commercial centerfire 20 caliber. The ofl 5mm Rem. rimfire in the mid 70s was a 20-caliber, but as a rimfire died out quickly. The 204 Ruger, a necked down 222 Rem Mag., offered incredibly fast MVs with minimal recoil while rarely tearing up pelts. It still does! But we no longer hear much about it, probably because attention is focused on tactical stuff and AR platforms n which the ubiquitous 223 Rem. and many 6mms and 6.5mms are stealing limelight. But anyone looking for what many consider the ultimate fur getter, the 204 Ruger is a grand choice.
Great video thank you. Just a thought…..Would be cool to see zoomed in shots of the pics you display.
Thanks Bluto. Good idea. We'll try that next time.
Hey Ron I've heard mention of your 25-06 AI and seen it in your lineup of cartridges when comparing other cartridges, but would like to see a video on the cartridge itself along with any hunting stories you have and maybe even a breakdown of the rifle that's chambered for it. Cheers.
I've been remiss in getting to that, but promise to do so soon. Gun and ammo performance reviews coming.
Hey Ron I remember you getting in trouble with someone over the 223 and 5.56 round being the same . He said they’re not the same but the only difference is the barrel twist rate . The 223 is 1-12 and the 5.56 is 1-7 . That is why the 5.56 can shoot heavier bullets .223 stops at 62 gr bullets the 5.56 goes up to a 90 gr. Then you have the 223 Remington service rifle that has a 1-9 twist and can go up to the 80 gr bullet. My Point is the Remington 223 and the 5.56 round are the same up to The 62 gr bullets they both use the same powders and the dimension’s are exactly the same.
Keep up the good work !
BC gets the bullet to the game, SD penetrates and composition keeps it together.
Can you please talk about the 6,5-06 A-sqare
Hi Ron new to PRS shooting. I ha built a really nice chassis rifle in 308. What are the benefits of the heavy 308s like the 185gr and 200gr for long range shooting. Thanks.
Higher B.C., meaning more efficient. All a high B.C. rating does is reflect the aerodynamic efficiency of the projectile. In any given weight and caliber, a longer, sleeker bullet with secant ogive and long boat tail will fly flatter and deflect less in crosswinds, making it easier to hit long range targets. Weight contributes to B.C., too. It, caliber, and form factor are all included in the B.C. number. The downside to heavy bullets in 308 is lower MV. You'll have more drop because of this.
I'd like to know if 762x51 will work in a .308 remington model 740. Or should I shy away and just use only .308
Ron I’m new to elk hunting, western hunting for that matter. Any tips or tricks an eastern boy may need to know before headed to say Colorado for an otc rifle hunt.
Congrats on your upcoming hunt, Aaron, and Here's wishing you success at tagging one. The best tip I can give you is rather Zen. Enjoy the moment. Every moment. The sights, sounds, odors, temperatures, gravity, hope, frustration -- all of it. Because, much as you want to hike right out and thump a 6x6 bull, that is much, much less likely than hearing a pack of coyotes, seeing a goshawk, marveling at the vertical landscape. Some hunters never figure out that it's the entirety of the adventure that makes hunting so soul satisfyingly addictive. Few people on this planet are lucky enough to get to do this. So appreciate it, all of it, and soak it up. As for reaching your venison goal, ask a lot of questions of locals and strangers to gather intelligence ("Those elk all head for XYZ canyon as soon as the first shot is fired. You're wasting your time on that mountain.") Scout via maps on apps like Hunt Stand to become familiar with the land, find dense cover far from roads, find low saddle crossing points, etc. Get is super shape so you can hunt hard all day every day. Know your woodsmanship and survival skills so you can go far with confidence, ready to sleep out if necessary. Carry a basic survival pack at all times. Study and know elk habits. Glass. Use binocular and spotting scope to study distant landscapes early and late for elk moving or feeding. Cover a lot of ground early to find good sign. Know how to shoot quickly and decisively. Don't waste time looking for a 350" bull if you just want to get an elk. They're all big, all spectacular trophies and winter meat. Happy hunting!
If I were to hunt with a AR type rifle should I use 5.56 or .223 as I have been told that basically a 5.56 is pretty much a +P+ .223 round excluding the throat differences? Thanks in advance Ron and everyone
5.56 NATO is always said to be able to safely handle 223 Rem ammo (exact same case shape, just different bullets, twist rates, and (some say) chamber pressures. Safe route is to go with 5.56 chamber.
Hello Ron my name is Martin and I really like Learning from you and others about BCs and twist rates. You mentioned that Stabilization depends on bullet lenght for barrels with faster or slower twist rates. As many rifles out there with slow twist rates which make stabilizing longer bullets difficult, why don't all amunition manufactures make bullets short enough so that everyone can benifit from higher BC bullets? Speer is the only one that makes two bonded high BC bullets in 6.5, one yet to come out suitable for large game, the seven's mm not so much. This would be a game changer for those of us who can't afford the cost of purchasing percision rifles! What's your opinion?
Martin the only problem with your idea is that if they made bullets shorter to stabilize in the slower twists, the B.C.s would suffer. You need length in a given bullet weight to raise B.C. Secant ogive, long boattail also increase B.C.
Thanks for responding so quickly, I always greatly appreicate your experiance. I found that Speer makes a bullet in 140gr called Gold Dot and one on the way not out in circulation yet called Impact for the 6.5s that are short enough for the 1:9 twist to stabilize. The gold dot has a rebated boat tail much like the fusion they make for Federal and the Impact has a regular boat tail, both with extreamly high BCs. I had the Gold Dots custom loaded for a hunt I never succsessfully harvested, although I tested thier preformance through 1" pine board and 4 water jugs which they expanded to nearly 1" and only lost one peddle. The 2" pine test they went through and the bullet didn't expand more than double it's diamiter but completely inverted with almost all it's weight remaning. The 300 yard accuracy test was much better than anything I've ever achieved, (not a percision shooter) but they did started to key hole just slightly. I can't weight for the Speer Impacts to come out also 140gr, probably why they don't make them in 150gr is the reason you mentioned needing to be longer and they are the longest a 1:9 will stabilize. In my .264 WM I've never caught a 140gr bullet in game, they always punch right on through so I guess 140gr will just have to do. Thank you once again. Martin
Question, I have a Tikka T3 in 25-06 shooting a 100 gr nosler BT. My wife shooting a savage 243 with 90 gr nosler BT and my dad shooting a mouser custom 98 in 6mm rem, 90 gr core loc. We shoot deer and varmits mostly. We always have shoot offs and talk which one is better. What are your thoughts and would any have a true problem heading west to take deer or even elk?
Mark, your 100-gr. 25-06 should fly about 100 to 150 fps faster than the 90-gr. 243 and 6mm bullets. It will also have slightly higher B.C. rating, so will shoot flatter and drift less and retain more energy downrange. That said, I do not necessarily advise it or the others as optimum for elk. Plenty of westerners shoot elk with these cartridges, but they usually have the discipline and experience to wait for perfect behind the shoulder shots. Rush anything, hit major shoulder muscle and bone and you may not reach the vitals. A better option would be a 6.5mm to 30-caliber with a heavier and beefier bullet. If you do use your current rifles, try a controlled expansion bullet such as an all copper hollow point, bonded core, or partition style -- something designed to retain most of its weight in a long shank that helps maintain momentum. Also, get as close as possible to maximize downrange impact velocity. And don't take risky shots. For mule deer and whitetails, all your cartridges are plenty good in my experience. But you still need to shoot carefully and precisely. I've taken plenty of game with 243 and 6mm, but never anything larger than mule deer. Good luck!
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast Thank you so much, yes if we did go for Elk it would be closer shots, under 300 for sure. Us easterns dont know what true long range is.
Dear Ron Spomer, I am in the market for a new gun. I just moved to Wyoming and the menu of animals to hunt is impressive to someone coming from Minnesota. My question is why are most of the rifles on the shelves only chambered in 6.5 creedmoor and 300 win mag? No 270, no 30-06, no 7mm-08, no 7mm rem mag. I would prefer a bergara in 30-06 but they are very tough to find.
I'd personally go with the 300wm . Better performance then the 30-06 running the same projectiles. 🤷♂️
Jack, I don't know why shelves are missing other chamberings. Didn't used to be that way. I'd say with limited output they are concentrating on the most popular, easily sold cartridges.
I am from Wyoming and hunted here 46 years and the rifles your used to back in Minnesota are not as prime for hunting here. If you plan on hunting elk you want a good powerful round. I always tell everyone, the best one for Wyoming hunting is the .300 Weatherby and they are made right here in Wyoming which makes it even better. The 7mm REM Mag is excellent as well as the 300 Win Mag. Skip the Creeds, 6.5 PRC, and the similar. You will be glad if you follow my advice.
@@sakostwwy1903 where I was from in MN I needed to use a shotgun to hunt deer 😂 not exactly ideal for the wide open expanses of the west.
I'm pretty sure in Finland two brothers were out hunting grouse. They shoot them out of trees with rifles. One brother missed the bird and killed his brother who was some distance away.
168gr projo @ 2900 fps out of a .308???? Did you mean 300 win mag? If not please tell me the load data.
Right Mike. Takes a special load and barrel to get that MV. I meant to say 2700 fps. Thanks for the catch!
Hunting has become a rich man's sport.
In many places it has, alas. Supply and demand.
Would there be any reason to load a .308 with the rounded bullets made for 30/30? Just curious.
Not that I can think of. 30-30 bullets are usually built soft for the relatively slow impact velocities they typically endure. At 308 velocities those bullets might not hold up well. Some people claim a round nose "hits harder" than a spire point, but I know of no physics that supports that claim. In fact, because the round nose sheds velocity faster, it would carry less energy down range.
I have heard that when Scandinavian deer hunters are hunting for meat, they often aim for neck shots so as to limit damaging meat. And that the type of bullet they prefer for neck shots are fragmenting bullets. They use controlled expanding bullets for chest shots when hunting for trophy mounts. It is my impression that Americans tend to discourage neck shots. I suspect because too many hunters were using controlled expanding bullets that were not getting the job done, in addition to the neck being a smaller target.
What do you think about taking neck shots with a fragmenting bullet provided the hunter's skills are up to the task?
Head or neck shots are all I take. I want to kill something they way I would want to die. QUICKLY.
There’s good meat in the neck as well. You’re losing meat either way.
These days everyone wants a heavier/higher B.C. bullet. I've gone the other direction based on meat loss. I wondered if you could or have done some videos or articles on animal presentation and shot placement based on meat loss. These days I pretty much wince every time I hear double shoulder. I'm sure there are some younger viewers that could benefit from knowing what trajectory that bullet is likely to take after initial impact.
Bullets are liable to take all kinds of crazy twists and turns based on many variables from striking bone edge to tumbling to breaking up and flattening out. I generally anticipate a straight line and aim to accomodate. For max meat I line up the shot so bullet passes just behind the opposite shoulder unless the quartering away angle is so steep that the bullet has to be put into the paunch initially. Then I wait for better broadside shot or take the onside behind shoulder shot and hope the bullet won't smack dead center on the other shoulder and ruin much of it. Honestly, though, I'd rather lose a shoulder than an animal.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast In your experience, do you find that caliber and bullet weight affect meat loss or do you put that in the same category as knock down power? I'm seriously curious. I'm shooting mainly 100-140 gr bullets depending on the cartridge and gun that I'm using. I see you like the 25-06 and I wonder if you think 120 gr is about optimum for meat loss or you just enjoy shooting it. I was taught by the old timers never to shoot anything you didn't plan to eat or was a threat of some kind.
@@hrdrockfarm8948 In my experience "meat loss" from bullet impact is higher with frangible bullets and high impact velocity. All that energy tends to pressure fluids through muscle and connective tissues. Velocity increases kinetic energy in the bullet, makes it easier to reach distant targets, and minimizes wind deflection of bullets. I aim for lung tight behind a shoulder to minimize meat damage. But if there is any chance of losing a wounded animal in heavy cover, I'll choose the high shoulder shot in an attempt to hit or disrupt the spine/central nervous system. Better to lose a couple of pounds of shoulder muscle than the entire animal. I find that more people lose/throw away more meat after dinner than when inviting their game to dinner. In Nature, of course, nothing is wasted. Meat scraps left in the wilds feeds a myriad of creatures. Thanks for your concern, Hrdrock.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast As always, thanks for the response.
Is your background real or a green screen?
Bafumat, my background is the barnwood we put up on the walls. Real deal. My other setting is the native rock fireplace/chimney in the house, all gathered from Dancing Springs Ranch.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors awesome.
Myth busters did a show on pointed bullets in a tubular magazine, no matter what they did they could not get the bullets to go off in the tube.
Really? I don’t remember seeing that one, I have to go find it.
@@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595 yea, it was really quite interesting.
When I gave the argument that a pointy 30-30 bullet in a tubular magazine could initiate a chain reaction, someone asked me if the phenomenon had ever happened. I could not answer. I have no data on this. Has this happened to anyone? And if it has not happened, is this not proof enough, after 125 years, that the flat cartridges are not necessary?
Good question, Jean, with no solid answer. I've seen jerry-rigged experiments testing the bullet tip to primer ignition "rumor" that resulted in NO such ignitions. I've found no verifiable historical incidents of it happening. Yet no one -- not ammo makers or gun makers -- cares to ignore the possibility. So here we stand. My position is this: use the tubular feed lever actions as intended with their traditional limitations. We have plenty of rifles in all shapes, actions and sizes that fire long range, efficient bullets.
You can't always trust the marketing, you have to look at the figures yourself.
44 magnum in monoflex has a lower B.C than the regular old flat nose lead bullets.
.175 B.C with the 225 grain hornady Leverevolution.
.205 B.C with the 240 Grain XTP, even the 200 grain XTP has .170 B.C
Yes indeed. Always smart to check the numbers.
Can a whitetail deer get the covid 19 virus?
According to wildlife biologists/researchers, they can and do. Many have been captured and tested and, if I remember correctly, the majority already had the virus or anti-bodies to it, indicating they'd survived an infection. Whether this aids in humans "herd immunity" or merely transfers the virus to us remains to be determined.
45 degrees gives the longest bullet trajectory.
According to my research it's between 30- and 35-degrees, Ernest. Where did you find 45 degrees listed? That was my initial guess.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors If you shoot straight up at 90 degrees the bullet travels no horizontal distance. If you shoot at 180 degrees (i.e, parallel to the ground) the bullet will hit the ground in the same time that it takes to drop it from your hand and will not have traveled its maximal distance. Its maximal distance will be halfway between straight up and parallel with the ground, that is 45 degrees. At any angle greater or less than 45 degrees the bullet will fall short of maximal horizontal travel, hitting the ground sooner than if shot at a 45 degree angle. Think about it, it’s mathematical.
Yes, makes sense, Ernest, but tests by military and others have shown that angles in the 30- to 38-degree range result in longest trajectories of various bullets. Has something to do with yaw, shape of bullet nose and variable air drag based on that shape. A slight bit of vertical uplift or something I haven't adequately researched.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast Well,as someone once said, “It works in reality but will it work in theory?”
I always have some hearing protection and targets with me when I go hunting. When the lunchtime chatter turns to long range performance I set up a bullseye at 300 yards. Show me! I have never seen anyone even hit the paper on the first shot.
Good little test you're running, Michael. Perhaps more of us should do it before each hunt! I once asked a professional long range shooting instructor to hit a 400-yard gong while I operated a camera to record the hit. He missed the first two tries!
30-06>308
Does your wife stand there and watch you every video/podcast? 😂
She operates the cameras and timers. And makes sure I don't say inappropriate things.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast makes senses! It’s always good to have someone there to keep you from getting too out of line. Keep up the good work!
🤔 Maybe you could add a Slogan to your "Hunt Honest and Shoot Straight", regarding gun safety??? 👨🏫
I absolutely hate 30 cal bullets. We need to stop chambering guns for them.
Mr. Spoomer I’m sorry but when you look at the ammo that is available for the 7mm08 and compare it with the 308winchester there is no way the 7mm08 is better in any way. Look at let say the Hornady 150 grain Superformance. That’s almost 3000 foot pounds of energy at 3000 feet per second. I don’t see any 7mm08 like that on the shelf.