Winchester Ballistic Silvertip question

[Herdsman76]

Hey Everybody,

This may have been asked before but I have a question. I have heard that the Winchester Ballistic Silvertip .223 round lacks penetration power. I'm assuming that would make this round unsuitable as a defensive round. What does this round actually do in terms of it's use? (i.e does it desintigrate on impact with little penetration or does it expand and do the same thing?).

All I know is that it's primarily designed for smaller game animals but I was considering it's use for defensive purposes.

I'm familiar withother types of rounds such a Hornady, Black Hills, etc. but was wondering about the Silvertip.

A sub-question, are other calibers of this round potentially effective as a defensive round? (.308 specifically)

Thanks for any advice...

H76

[TxSharpShooter]

The Winchester Ballistic Silvertip ammo uses the popular Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet, along with the black lubalox coating. The 22 caliber nosler BT's are made for small game, maximum fragmentation, and light penetration. As far as home defense, these rounds should do fine. However, in the larger caliber BT's (308, 270, ect..) the bullet construction is supposed to be slightly heavier, allowing for deeper penetration, but in the end, all ballistic tip bullets will exhibit a lot of fragmentation compared to a partition, or full metal jacket, soft point, ect. Basically the BT is a big hollow point filled with plastic to aid in expansion, and increase ballistic coeffecients, ect. I personally think that the ballistic tip is a fine bullet when it is used for what it was intended to. I load them in my 223, and 270...hasen't failed me yet. I hope this helps!

[RMTactical]

Great varmint round, wouldn't want to use it for self defense.

[glocks_n_ars713]

i think you would be fine using these for HD rounds. everyone would tell you that they arent good for this, but would YOU want to get hit by one of them regardless of how much penetration? i mean, come on.....40, 50, or 55 grain rounds traveling at 3200 fps and hitting you with 1200 ft/lbs? i sure wouldnt want to be on the receiving end.

[TxSharpShooter]

I agree with glocks n ar's...the 223 round is pretty wicked anyways, especially with a ballistic tip. No matter how much penetration, you are gonna have a really bad day if you get hit by one of those at any range. Thanks.

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by glocks_n_ars713
i think you would be fine using these for HD rounds. everyone would tell you that they arent good for this, but would YOU want to get hit by one of them regardless of how much penetration? i mean, come on.....40, 50, or 55 grain rounds traveling at 3200 fps and hitting you with 1200 ft/lbs? i sure wouldnt want to be on the receiving end.

Well, I don't want to get hit with a bean bag shotgun either, but it probably wouldn't kill me.

[glocks_n_ars713]

point taken GoreLicks......and if you dont think that BSTs are good HD rounds, thats your preference. i have no intentions on flaming, but, with your point about varmint hunting, the human body isnt that much more frail than that of a ground hog, rabbit, etc.... i just hope youre not sitting there thinking that a .223 Winchester BST wouldnt kill a human being. ANY firearm can do serious damage, even a .22LR. and im not going to get all in to the shot placement mess here, i was just trying to give the original poster some insight on what i believe to be a very good HD round.;Y

[RMTactical]

I'm not saying they wouldn't kill, I'd just prefer something else.

It's all good though. :)