nksmfamjp
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2004
- Messages
- 3,466
I would like to propose my general theory for hunting bullet selection and request/encourage open discussion about it. You can even tell me I'm an idiot or I'm wrong. My only request is we try to keep it respectful for readers, but that is certainly your choice.
My view on bullet selection has been formed over the years of lots of study, many Antelope, mule deer killed and even an elk. Unlike many here, I have not killed enough big elk.
So here it goes…to me, everything is based on muzzle velocity initially. Basically I see that as bullets launched under 2700 fps as slow, 2700-3100 as medium velocity and over 3100 as fast. This also essentially along with bc are the key drivers that limit a bullets range to perform.
The second key thing to me is I want a bullet to carry through and exit(even with a long quartering shot). I also want it to expand after entering the rib cage. Last, I don't want explosive expansion and 3" exit holes which do excessive meat damage at times. In addition, tumbling kills game, but is not a reliable enough killer for me to count on it.
Then bullets group into "softs", controlled expansion, and mono's. "Softs" are lead in a standard thickness jacket designed to expand very rapidly. These are bullets like the Nosler Ballistic Tip, Berger Hunting, Hornady Interlock…albeit, there is some expansion control in the Hornady and many others. These bullets pair well with slow and the slower medium velocity cartridges from 0 yards until they drop below 1800fps (some as low as 1500fps) or so. If initial velocity is over 2900, they tend to look explosive at shots under 100 yards. This becomes bad performance quick. I worry about when 90gr of a 200gr bullet exits, where does the rest of it go? How much killing is the other 110gr doing.
Match bullets on game that are good on game generally perform like softs. This needs tested as some perform like solids. ….of course with better bc. If your bullet is great at 800yds, but blows up at 50yds, do you just get a second rifle from your gun bearer for close shots?
Next, the controlled expansion bullets like the Hornady ELD-X, Federal Trophy Bonded Tip, Federal Terminal Ascent, Nosler Accubond, ABLR and Swift Sciracco can be amazing performers. These perform from 3200fps down to 1800fps or sometimes less with very reliable performance and generally much better weight retention at high velocity. This allows the full bullet to do work all the way through the animal and exit, even when steeply quartering. This is usually my choice.
Last are the mono's like Hammers, Barnes, Hornady CX, etc. These often have near 100% weight retention or break large chunks off intentionally which perform as mini bullets. I prefer the ones that hold together. They expand and really seem to cut flesh well like an arrow. These generally can be driven as hard as you like….3600fps is not too fast! Their only weakness is that they often don't perform well below 2000fps and bc's are often a bit worse that lead core bullets.
In my case, I'm running a 300 Sherman this year. If I can get decent accuracy from my Barnes LRX bullets, they will be my bullet this year for a nice muley. They are running about 3050fps out of a 10 twist Brux barrel. That said, they seem accuracy tempermental. How does that compare to what you are going to use this year? I may try some Hornady CX also.
My view on bullet selection has been formed over the years of lots of study, many Antelope, mule deer killed and even an elk. Unlike many here, I have not killed enough big elk.
So here it goes…to me, everything is based on muzzle velocity initially. Basically I see that as bullets launched under 2700 fps as slow, 2700-3100 as medium velocity and over 3100 as fast. This also essentially along with bc are the key drivers that limit a bullets range to perform.
The second key thing to me is I want a bullet to carry through and exit(even with a long quartering shot). I also want it to expand after entering the rib cage. Last, I don't want explosive expansion and 3" exit holes which do excessive meat damage at times. In addition, tumbling kills game, but is not a reliable enough killer for me to count on it.
Then bullets group into "softs", controlled expansion, and mono's. "Softs" are lead in a standard thickness jacket designed to expand very rapidly. These are bullets like the Nosler Ballistic Tip, Berger Hunting, Hornady Interlock…albeit, there is some expansion control in the Hornady and many others. These bullets pair well with slow and the slower medium velocity cartridges from 0 yards until they drop below 1800fps (some as low as 1500fps) or so. If initial velocity is over 2900, they tend to look explosive at shots under 100 yards. This becomes bad performance quick. I worry about when 90gr of a 200gr bullet exits, where does the rest of it go? How much killing is the other 110gr doing.
Match bullets on game that are good on game generally perform like softs. This needs tested as some perform like solids. ….of course with better bc. If your bullet is great at 800yds, but blows up at 50yds, do you just get a second rifle from your gun bearer for close shots?
Next, the controlled expansion bullets like the Hornady ELD-X, Federal Trophy Bonded Tip, Federal Terminal Ascent, Nosler Accubond, ABLR and Swift Sciracco can be amazing performers. These perform from 3200fps down to 1800fps or sometimes less with very reliable performance and generally much better weight retention at high velocity. This allows the full bullet to do work all the way through the animal and exit, even when steeply quartering. This is usually my choice.
Last are the mono's like Hammers, Barnes, Hornady CX, etc. These often have near 100% weight retention or break large chunks off intentionally which perform as mini bullets. I prefer the ones that hold together. They expand and really seem to cut flesh well like an arrow. These generally can be driven as hard as you like….3600fps is not too fast! Their only weakness is that they often don't perform well below 2000fps and bc's are often a bit worse that lead core bullets.
In my case, I'm running a 300 Sherman this year. If I can get decent accuracy from my Barnes LRX bullets, they will be my bullet this year for a nice muley. They are running about 3050fps out of a 10 twist Brux barrel. That said, they seem accuracy tempermental. How does that compare to what you are going to use this year? I may try some Hornady CX also.
