we use 165 gr ballistic tips......normally im a hollowpoint shooter...but my friend that handloads didnt hand load this year so i didnt get a chance to load any.....and cant find a good hollowpoint in stores in 3006 around here.......but they perform just like a nbt......i shot 168gr hpbts.....my dad uses ballistic tips.....i only seen one deer make it anywhere and it was a bad angle...though a lung and liver and through the guts.....only went 50 yards.......good luck