Hornady BTHP Perform on Game?

[Jud96]

Interested to know if anyone has had any experience with the Hornady BTHPs on game, specifically deer and larger game. Have seen the .30cal 168gr and 178gr Hornadys around and just curious to see how these slugs work.

I did cut a Hornady 168gr BTHP in half today and a Berger 155gr Hunting VLD for comparison. I didn't do the best job, but it seemed like the Berger has a thicker jacket, but had a larger cavity under the hollow point than the Hornady. I did not cut a SMK in half for reference but may do that as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[terrcritch]

I used them on a cow elk and they performed quite similar to a Berger went in a few inches and self destructed and just found little bits and pieces on the opposite side. I was happy with the way the performed

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'm not sure what exact bullet Hornady used to use in the old LE (red box) version of the TAP ammo for the 168gr .308 Win, but it is a BTHP, and I've shot several deer with them back in the day, and they worked fine. None were LR shots, all were within 300 yards.

 

[Jud96]

Thank you for the replies guys. I'm going to dissect a 168gr SMK today and compare it to the Berger and the Hornady today. I have heard mixed opinions and results with the SMKs so that's why I was worried about the Hornady. I know it is listed as a "Match" bullet, but a lot of guys are shooting Berger Target bullets and having success with them even with their heavier jacket. The Hornady 178gr .30cal has a BC of .530 so this would make a great .30-06 and .300WM projectile for hunting, if it works.

 

[reeldawg]

The .308 Win 168 Tap ammo is an Amax. We have shot a few deer and hogs under a 100 yards with very bad results. They appear to blow up on contact leaving a nasty flesh wounds with little to no internal damage. It has occurred more than once with different .308 Win rifles. I have read that they work well on game at extended ranges.


Jay

 

[MudRunner2005]

The .308 Win 168 Tap ammo is an Amax. We have shot a few deer and hogs under a 100 yards with very bad results. They appear to blow up on contact leaving a nasty flesh wounds with little to no internal damage. It has occurred more than once with different .308 Win rifles. I have read that they work well on game at extended ranges.


Jay

I know the new TAP is a non-tipped AMax, I'm talking about the old (from around 8-12 years ago) red box Law Enforcement version TAP. It's something different, I want to say I read back in the day that it's a HP version of an Interlok...Or something like that.

I've seen AMaxs used, and the results did not resemble my experiences with the old TAP ammo. The AMaxs I've seen performed as you described, and were very explosive, sort of like my experiece with shooting deer with the old Hornady 7mmRM factory loads with the 139 SST bullets. Those things were explosive on big game like deer.

 

[Jud96]

Our experiences with the A-MAXs are different then yours and they have worked great for us. I am just interested in trying these BTHPs because of their availability and high BCs. I haven't seen much said about these as far as hunting, so I just wanted to hear if anyone else has experience with them. Thanks

 

[MudRunner2005]

After doing some research, the old LE TAP ammo used the Hornady Match BTHP, and not the AMax bullet. The New TAP ammo uses the AMax bullets.

I used the old TAP with the Match BTHP 168gr to take the deer I did back 8-10 years ago. They worked great.

 

[Jud96]

Ok thanks Mud! Now that I remember, my cousin shot a deer and a couple varmints with the 168gr BTHPs last year and they worked great from what he reported to me. If I remember correctly, the deer was like 550-600yds away and it just dropped in its tracks. Would like to see how the 178s do in the .300WM I ordered. I have a ton of 190 SMKs but I've heard good and bad things about MatchKings as far as them being hunting bullets. If I hear some more positive things about these Hornadys I may have to order some. Did the BTHPs open up like a Berger Mud?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Ok thanks Mud! Now that I remember, my cousin shot a deer and a couple varmints with the 168gr BTHPs last year and they worked great from what he reported to me. If I remember correctly, the deer was like 550-600yds away and it just dropped in its tracks. Would like to see how the 178s do in the .300WM I ordered. I have a ton of 190 SMKs but I've heard good and bad things about MatchKings as far as them being hunting bullets. If I hear some more positive things about these Hornadys I may have to order some. Did the BTHPs open up like a Berger Mud?

I never find any of my bullets...I always shoot them in the lungs, so I have no idea if they opened up like a Berger. I know they weren't as explosive, and didn't leave huge exit wounds like the Bergers do. But they did function. I know they didn't run too far...Then again, they rarely do.