Are Nosler Ballistic Tips Good For Elk?

Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman.

Ballistic tips have always had some controversy among the many different types of hunting bullets. A large group of shooters loves them, while the other half do not think they hold up compared to traditional bullets. One of the most popular ballistic-tipped bullets is the Nosler ballistic tip. But are these a good choice for elk?

Nosler ballistic tips are one of the best elk hunting bullets on the market. These bullets are designed to be extremely accurate and expand and mushroom upon impact to create the most damage possible when hunting large game such as elk.

Nosler ballistic tips are extremely popular for long-range shooting and hunting, and many will wonder if they would also work well on something as tough as elk.

Continue reading to learn more about ballistic tips and their role in elk hunting.

In this post, we'll cover:

What are Ballistic Tipped Bullets?

The ballistic tip is one of Nosler’s most iconic products and is widely recognized. The ballistic tip is a bullet in which the hollow point at the front is filled with a hard plastic polymer. This helps to create a very aerodynamic shape that helps the bullet fly through the air faster and for longer periods of time.

As a ballistic tipped bullet hits a target, the tip is driven down towards the end, which also helps to create a very uniform and reliable expansion. When it comes to hunting ammunition, this is one of the most important aspects of taking down tough animals.

As a round expands and fragments upon impact, it creates damage and wound channels. The better the expansion, the more shock and damage it will do to an animal. This means faster and cleaner kills while out hunting.

Ballistic tips were created by Nosler to make the ideal hunting round, as it is not only accurate but it performs more reliably upon impact. While mostly meant for hunting rifles, there are also some made for other firearms, such as pistols and muzzleloaders.

Are Ballistic Tips Good for Hunting?

Since ballistic tips were originally designed for hunting, they work excellently in this application. The polymer tips ensure a more consistent and accurate shot, even shooting groups at the gun range. As these bullets fly through the air, they cut through it much better than traditional bullets and maintain speed and direction.

The biggest advantage, however, is the expansion upon impact. The ballistic tip aids in this to provide more devasting results, making ballistic tips the ideal choice for just about any big game species out there, regardless of size.

Ballistic tips have exploded in popularity since their inception. With the ability to control expansion and provide better flight, they are an extremely versatile bullet that can be sized to fit any game animal and the damage needed to bring it down properly.

Can You Use Ballistic Tips for Elk Hunting?

Many hunters believe ballistic tips are only good for smaller game such as deer, hogs, and antelope. They think they are not as durable or tough as traditional bullets due to the “plastic” in the tip and core of the bullet. This, however, could not be further from the truth.

Although ballistic tips use a polymer in the bullet construction, this actually helps them become more durable and strong. The ballistic tip simply provides a method for the rest of the bullet (made of copper and lead) to properly expand and perform as intended.

It does not compromise the strength or durability of the bullet but instead helps it become stronger.

For elk hunting, the strength of the bullet is one of the most important things to consider. Elk are not only very large, but they have heavy bones and dense masses of muscle that can easily absorb the impact of a bullet.

Without a quality bullet with strong construction, the elk will get injured and run away. But with a strong enough bullet, it can properly penetrate and cause enough damage to achieve a quick and ethical death.

Features and Design of Nosler Ballistic Tips

In addition to the ballistic tip, these bullets have plenty of other great designs and features. The tapered jacket on the outside helps to slow and better control the expansion but also helps create a very balanced weight. This is very important for long-range shooting and provides increased accuracy.

The heavy jacketed base is thicker than most other bullets of similar construction in order to produce the “mushroom” effect better once a target is hit. The bullet expands and makes a mushroom shape, causing shock and damage as it moves through an animal.

Lastly, the boat tail design aids in long-range accuracy, proving a much smoother flight. It also helps with better feeding and is the best option for those who love to reload their own ammunition.

All of these features combined together create a very versatile bullet that is not only strong and accurate but one that is good for just about everything.

Final Thoughts

Nosler produces some of the finest hunting bullets in the world, so it is no surprise that their ballistic tips are so popular. These bullets are easily one of the best options for elk hunting due to their amazing performance and superior penetration.

If you need a new elk hunting bullet for hunting season, then the Nosler ballistic tips are definitely worth a look.

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.

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