It seems as if this subject is a debate on all forums at the present and the lack of understanding by some people on the differences between different types of bullets even when spelt out in quite simple terms rather galls.
I am afraid that on numerous occasions I have found the Police lacking when it comes to requesting specifics regarding the law and as far as reloading is concerned there seems to be a great knowledge gap throughout the country.
The actuality of the law is rather less than satisfactory as there are three different sets of wording for basically the same requirement and since the Act was written bullet styles have changed and manufacturers have developed new designs. Unfortunately Nosler in particular developed two different types of bullet for two different purposes but in a way that makes them visually look the same.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland any bullet that expands in anything other than a ‘Controlled manner’ is illegal. So those bullets designed as Varmint bullets are illegal simply because they expand in an uncontrolled manner. This includes those bullets made by all manufacturers.
As far as the deer Act relating to England and Wales is concerned if we take the wording literally anyone using ANY nylon tipped bullet is doing so illegally as the law requires a soft point or hollow point. It has generally been accepted that until the Act is rewritten the wording for Northern Ireland and Scotland is appropriate and if you consult with the Home Office as I have done you will find their attitude is along those lines. They accept that the nylon tip style of bullet in hunting format designed to expand in a controlled manner is in effect a ‘Hollow Point’ with an insert and therefore acceptable.
No where in the UK is it acceptable to use any bullet that is designed to expand in a violent of explosive manner as the effects on an animal are unpredictable?
I have had guests that have used such bullets unbeknown to me. In one example the deer was neck shot and although killed the extreme expansion of the bullet allowed fragments of jacket to pierce the lungs, the saddle and the front leg. Having seen first hand on various occasions the totally undesirable effects of using the ‘wrong’ bullet on live quarry makes me particularly vehement in decrying the practice.
If I have offended anyone on this forum then I apologise but will not change my stance as no live animal should be shot in a way that may well cause suffering and it behooves each and every shooter to uphold that stance with each and every shot they take.
In order to ensure everyone can understand the differences and do not get confused by different folks examples please lets just try to use correct terminology and then everyone will appreciate bullet differences whatever the manufacturer being mentioned.
Ballistic Tip is a registered trademark of Nosler and is used for two types of bullet. The Hunting Ballistic Tip and the Varmint Ballistic Tip.
No other manufacturer can make or call their bullets Ballistic Tip so please refer to other makers bullets by their correct name / terminology and then we will all appreciate exactly what any post is talking about.
All bullets with a polymer tip insert have their own makers nomenclature please try to use it then there will be no misunderstandings
Re Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets
Ballistic Tip bullets come in two types - Varmint and Hunting. The Hunting has a thicker Jacket and a different thickness progression from base to tip and tends to do as is required for an animal such as deer - expand controllably. The Varmint style is thinner jacketed and tends to 'explode' rather than expand so on thicker skinned game you can find a larger, wider wound channel and often no exit wound.
It is most unfortunate the two types of bullet - so different in design yet so similar in looks - were all 'lumped' together under the same name. It would have been far preferable to have two totally different style names really.
There is no overlap of bullet weights style to style but all bullets of one cal have the same coloured tips whatever the type.
All 22c/f Ballistic Tip bullets are Varmint style, but in say 243 there is an overlap.
55grain 70grain and 80grain Ballistic Tip bullets are....................(Quote from site)
Nosler Ballistic Tip® Varmint
The World's Best Varmint Bullet
http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=11&b...;s=17&t=6mm
Go ahead, drive ‘em out of that Swift as fast as you can. You won’t find any speed limits on these bullets to slow you down. Nosler Ballistic Tip® Varmint bullets thrive on ultra-high velocity loads. Even if you’re loading for a Hornet, Zipper or WSSM, these hot little devils will go the distance with spectacular results all the way down to the lowest practical velocity level. To order online click here.
Nestled in the jacket mouth is the streamlined polycarbonate tip, color-coded by caliber.
The Ballistic Tip® Varmint bullet's ultra thin jacket mouth assures violent expansion at either end of the velocity scale.
The uniform, gradual thickening of the jacket wall at the bullet's mid-section is designed to keep the Ballistic Tip® Varmint bullet together until impact ­ at any velocity.
The heavy jacket base prevents bullet deformation during firing.
Nosler's unique Solid Base® boat-tail design, combined with the polycarbonate tip, dramatically increases long-range ballistic efficiency.
Minimum Impact Velocity: 1600 fps
Maximum Impact Velocity: Unlimited
However, for controlled expansion 90grain and 95 grain bullets are ................
Ballistic Tip® Hunting
Hunting's Deadliest Deer Bullet
http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=11&b=5&s=5
I trust that assists in understanding the differences in Ballistic Tip bullet design and that in 22c/f most bullets tend to be of the 'explosive' style.
Other manufacturer’s differences in their bullet line are similar – see Hornady products