Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nosler |
| Cartridge | 6.5 Creedmoor |
| Product Line | Ballistic Tip Hunting Ammunition |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | 120 gr Spitzer Ballistic Tip Hunting |
| Bullet Weight | 120 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 42050 |
| UPC | 054041420501 |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,900 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,251 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | Not found |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Nosler Premium Brass |
| Primer | Not found |
| Reloadable | Not found |
| Test Barrel Length | 24 in (1:8 in twist) |
| Zero Distance | 100 yd |
| Sight Height | 1.5 in |
| Intended Use | Deer-sized game |
| Product Status | Current Nosler catalog |
| Closest Competitors | Fiocchi Hyperformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 gr Hornady SST Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 120 gr CX Barnes VOR-TX 6.5 Creedmoor 100 gr TTSX Nosler E-Tip 6.5 Creedmoor 120 gr Federal Power-Shok 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr SP |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Overview
This factory load pairs a 120-grain Spitzer Ballistic Tip Hunting bullet with Nosler Premium Brass. Nosler lists it for deer-sized game and publishes a complete velocity, energy, and trajectory table through 800 yards. Official product page: Nosler.
Official Ballistics
Manufacturer-published data from a 24-inch, 1:8-inch-twist test barrel. Trajectory is Nosler’s 100-yard-zero table with a 1.5-inch sight height. Nosler does not publish wind-drift values for this load, so no wind column is shown.
| Distance (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2900 | 2251 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2702 | 1944 | 0 |
| 200 | 2505 | 1672 | -3.3 |
| 300 | 2318 | 1431 | -12.1 |
| 400 | 2138 | 1218 | -27.4 |
| 500 | 1966 | 1030 | -50.3 |
| 600 | 1803 | 866 | -82.3 |
| 700 | 1650 | 726 | -124.9 |
| 800 | 1508 | 606 | -180.4 |
Bullet Design and Intended Use
Nosler describes the Ballistic Tip Hunting bullet as a polymer-tipped, boat-tail design with a heavily jacketed base. The official load description emphasizes accuracy, downrange performance, and expansion for deer, antelope, and hogs.
- Best aligned with deer, antelope, and hog hunting.
- Lead-core bullet – not a lead-free load.
- 24-inch test-barrel data may not match shorter hunting rifles.
- The manufacturer does not publish wind drift for this SKU.
Competitors
| Load | Positioning |
|---|---|
| Fiocchi Hyperformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 gr Hornady SST | Polymer-tipped deer load with a heavier 129 gr bullet. |
| Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 120 gr CX | 120 gr lead-free copper hunting load. |
| Barnes VOR-TX 6.5 Creedmoor 100 gr TTSX | Lighter all-copper hunting alternative. |
| Nosler E-Tip 6.5 Creedmoor 120 gr | Nosler’s lead-free 120 gr option. |
| Federal Power-Shok 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr SP | Heavier conventional soft-point hunting load. |
Internal-linking note: Published AmmoReports reviews are linked above; competitors without an existing published review remain plain text.
Current Store Offers
Availability changes by retailer. The offer block below is intentionally shown without fixed prices.
FAQ
Is the Nosler Ballistic Tip appropriate for elk?
Nosler’s current product page lists this load for deer-sized game and specifically describes use on deer, antelope, and hogs. It does not list elk. For elk, compare a bonded or monolithic hunting bullet and follow applicable hunting regulations.
Nosler Ballistic Tip vs Hornady SST – which is better for deer?
Both are polymer-tipped hunting designs. The practical choice should be based on reliable function and accuracy in your rifle, the manufacturer’s intended-game guidance, and the impact distance you expect.
What does the orange tip on the Nosler Ballistic Tip indicate?
Nosler uses colored polymer tips in its Ballistic Tip line. The tip streamlines the nose and helps initiate expansion; it does not make this a lead-free bullet.
Does this load use Nosler brass?
Yes. Nosler’s official description states that the load uses Nosler Premium Brass. The current ammunition page does not explicitly state reloadability or primer type, so those fields are listed as Not found.
What barrel did Nosler use for the published ballistics?
Nosler lists a 24-inch test barrel with a 1:8-inch twist. The official trajectory table uses a 100-yard zero and shows a 1.5-inch muzzle offset.
Submit Your Data – Real-World Results
Manufacturer figures are measured under controlled conditions. Barrel length, chamber, temperature, ammunition lot, and chronograph setup can change real-world velocity.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 054041420501 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | No data yet |
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Last verified against the current Nosler product page: September 20, 2026. Data confidence: High for manufacturer-published specifications and trajectory.
