devildiver
Well-Known Member
I used to work at Nosler as an engineer and know that the bullet is not designed for hunting.
That being said...
Two years ago I had the chance to shoot some feral fallow deer. I killed three of them between 530yds and 600yds with a 175gr RDF out of my 308 at 2800fps.
They do not transfer energy like a bonded bullet or other style hunting bullet. The deer did not drop in place but ran 20-50 yds before succumbing to their wounds. I shot one of them twice because I thought I missed it the first time. Upon inspection, I had hit her twice.
This past year I shot a handful of goats with my 6.5 creed out to 890yds with a 140gr RDF going 2720fps. These guys dropped in their tracks or went a few yards before dropping.
The way these bullets open and expand is different than what happens with a controlled expansion hunting bullet. My experience with the RDF in the real world is that the ogive portion of the bullet "petals" and fragments or sheds on impact. The base of the bullet stays together and is what gives you penetration. In my experience the base did not deform, which is what gives small exit holes when the bullet does exit.
People say that you shouldn't hunt with target bullets. That decision is up to you. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. If it is an important hunt and you don't want to take any chances, use a hunting bullet. If you don't have anything else available or you didn't plan and find yourself closing in on a hunt without a suitable option, or perhaps are planning on shooting long range, these bullets will kill when you do your part.
That being said...
Two years ago I had the chance to shoot some feral fallow deer. I killed three of them between 530yds and 600yds with a 175gr RDF out of my 308 at 2800fps.
They do not transfer energy like a bonded bullet or other style hunting bullet. The deer did not drop in place but ran 20-50 yds before succumbing to their wounds. I shot one of them twice because I thought I missed it the first time. Upon inspection, I had hit her twice.
This past year I shot a handful of goats with my 6.5 creed out to 890yds with a 140gr RDF going 2720fps. These guys dropped in their tracks or went a few yards before dropping.
The way these bullets open and expand is different than what happens with a controlled expansion hunting bullet. My experience with the RDF in the real world is that the ogive portion of the bullet "petals" and fragments or sheds on impact. The base of the bullet stays together and is what gives you penetration. In my experience the base did not deform, which is what gives small exit holes when the bullet does exit.
People say that you shouldn't hunt with target bullets. That decision is up to you. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. If it is an important hunt and you don't want to take any chances, use a hunting bullet. If you don't have anything else available or you didn't plan and find yourself closing in on a hunt without a suitable option, or perhaps are planning on shooting long range, these bullets will kill when you do your part.
