WinMagMan,
Thanks, but I'm keen to know what sort of damage is generated by the much-vaunted HPBTs at short range. I'm keen to try them but wary of the fact that the promoters of HPBTs for hunting seem to regard them as a solution to all situations; whereas, rightly or wrongly, my logic tells me that if they're expanding well at long range they must surely 'detonate' at shorter (<200m) range.
I'd love to use Accubonds, but they're going to run at around $70 for 50 when they eventually arrive in my part of the world (which they haven't yet). I'm sure you'd agree that that'd be fine if I was trophy shooting on a paid hunt, but the vast majority of my shooting is cull/meat hunting.
I'm still surprised by the damage a conventional 180gr SP did at 150m (the 300WM is a new caliber to me, only used my 308 before). I was going to reload it with 180BTs, but if conventional SPs are explosive on a broadside rib-heart-rib shot I think that that may not be a clever next step!
Right now I'm stuck. Interbonds are available here, but only to 165gr in 308 - I think that's too light for a 300. Swift Sciroccos are available (around$80!); I tried those in my 308 a couple of years back but they were wildly inaccurate (dimensions and weight varied greatly too) I've never decided whether I simply had a bad batch -but they're too expensive to give them a second chance.
Practically, therefore, my choices narrow to:
180gr conventional SPs -and limiting myself to neck shots under 200m -which means I'd often have to turn down shots that weren't 'just right'.
or trying a HPBT such as SMK
(I have 80rds of Fed Prem Safari 200 Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in the cupboard -but reckon they'll be a little too much for deer!)
But I still don't understand whether the HPBT will be more or less explosive than a conventional SP!?
[ 01-24-2004: Message edited by: Brown Dog ]