Lethal bullet poll

wolf300H&H

wolf300H&H

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Cabin in central Alberta
Hey just wanted your guys opinions on the most devastating 30 cal med- light heavy bullet. Or 150-180 gr size of family. For protection when hiking/ fishing in remote spots. Seems tsx , then partitions , then grand slams out of the majors. Thanks guys. I'm sure the subject matter been on here b4 but let's do it again lol.
 
A bullet's lethality is a combination of it's construction and velocity against the density of the target. A bullet that expands too easily will fail on a heavy game animal, while a bullet that is made too strongly will punch through a light game animal without sufficient upset to be a reliable stopper. I think this balance is more important than most people believe. Being in Alberta, I suspect your intention is for a protection round against black and grizzly bears. When I carry a .30/06, I prefer heavy bullets for bear work, but my wife's rifle has a 1:12 that doesn't stabilize them as well, so I load 180 gr TSXs in her's.

Now before we hear how the velocity of the .30/06 when loaded with 180 gr bullets is well within the performance parameters of inexpensive cup and core bullets, making premium bullets a waste of money, let me say that defensive shooting and hunting are two very different things. The defensive shot is almost always within 25 yards, and frequently a third of that, so the bullet impact is always at very high velocity, and the stopping shot is always aimed at a heavy boney structure, where the hunting shot is almost always in the chest. Given these high density targets, combined with the high impact velocity, I want a strongly constructed bullet. Straight line penetration trumps a massive but shallow wound diameter under these circumstances. One advantage of 220 and 240 gr .30 caliber bullets, is a significantly lower impact velocity, which is easier on the bullet, so expansion takes longer, thus penetration is deeper. The opposite is true with the TSX, where the bullet expands quickly due to its hollow point construction and 2800 fps impact velocity, but the bullet is tough enough to punch straight through bone and deep into the neck and chest if the shot is head on.
 
I agree with Boomers analysis of the "defense" situation. Personally, I would be packing my 30-06 with the 200, or even possibly, the 220 Partition, up the spout.

The TSX/TTSX at 180 grains would also be a good choice.

Boomer, I'm a little surprised that your 1-12" twist rifle stabilizes the 180 TSX, but not the 200 Partition, since they are similar in length.

I do NOT subscribe to the suggestion that a premium bullet is a waste of money. :)

Regards, Dave.
 
Dave, the 200 gr Partition wasn't the problem, and I wouldn't expect it to be, there's no moss on that bullet. The one we had trouble with was the 240 gr Woodleigh, similar in length to the old 200 gr X bullet, that never would shoot well in any of the rifles I had at the time. Whether or not they would shoot in my 1:8 Kreiger, who knows, I don't have any left, and a 20 pound rifle isn't suitable for the kind of hunting or defensive situations I get myself into anyway. Surprisingly, the 240 gr Woodleigh 1.43" long, is not that much longer than the 180 gr TSX 1.390". It might even be that the close range testing I did reflected the precess as the bullet exited the 1:12 muzzle, but whatever the reason, a bullet that is already in yaw at impact, can't penetrate as well as one that impacts closer to nose on, and then yaws, and is spinning fast enough to recover from the impact induced yaw.
 
Did you ever think about killing them with kindness and just giving them a bouquet of flowers.

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Boomer said:
Dave, the 200 gr Partition wasn't the problem, and I wouldn't expect it to be, there's no moss on that bullet. The one we had trouble with was the 240 gr Woodleigh, similar in length to the old 200 gr X bullet, that never would shoot well in any of the rifles I had at the time. Whether or not they would shoot in my 1:8 Kreiger, who knows, I don't have any left, and a 20 pound rifle isn't suitable for the kind of hunting or defensive situations I get myself into anyway. Surprisingly, the 240 gr Woodleigh 1.43" long, is not that much longer than the 180 gr TSX 1.390". It might even be that the close range testing I did reflected the precess as the bullet exited the 1:12 muzzle, but whatever the reason, a bullet that is already in yaw at impact, can't penetrate as well as one that impacts closer to nose on, and then yaws, and is spinning fast enough to recover from the impact induced yaw.
Click to expand...

Boomer; I understand fully what you have said. That big Woodleigh is one massive bullet! I agree that one would want as straight an entry as possible to maximize penetration.

Sometimes the length does not need to be much longer to introduce the "Yaw".

You take care. :) Dave.
 
wolf300H&H said:
Hey just wanted your guys opinions on the most devastating 30 cal med- light heavy bullet. Or 150-180 gr size of family. For protection when hiking/ fishing in remote spots. Seems tsx , then partitions , then grand slams out of the majors. Thanks guys. I'm sure the subject matter been on here b4 but let's do it again lol.
Click to expand...

What do you plan on using these in, exactly?

Ideal choices for a 30-06 are probably different from a 308...
 
I normally take my Rossi ranch hand with a 20 box of Honady Critical mass max pressure 225gr .45 Colt rounds trust me if it is close to me to the point I know it is a treat that will kill it.
 
just got rid of my ideal bear gun in 45/70......was a sxs but had a bowed barrell so was angry at that ....traded it to a fella for a rifle scope .......anyhow ...... so now i have a light weight kimber in 308 that likes 180 grain bullets but velocity is only 2400 fps (wow recoil batman ...lol , so for a just -in -case -scenario hiking/ fishing ,needed to be able to depend on bullet to be more devasting is all) , also have a m1 garand now that would be fine too for going on smaller hikes and or fishing /plinking / camping ........ i recently found out it likes the hornady 168 amax or 168 gr SMK ......... 8 rounds though ,but cant hot rod them like a bolt gun ......... but having m1 garand issues anyhow at moment

im thinking 180 gr partition for the 308 and a 165 partition for the garand ...............i think amaxs are more for thinner skinned game like deer

thanks guys ........

oh no not another bear thread....lol
 
A bullet's lethality is about where it hits and how much it penetrates. No bullet will do much if it doesn't hit a vital spot. Regardless of its construction. Nothing will give you a 100% guarantee of stopping anything in its tracks. No bullet, out of any cartridge, will do that. Physics doesn't allow it.
In any case, a rifle is not the best thing to carry for wilderness protection. A slug(can weigh 300 plus grains) loaded, 18 or 20 inch barreled, shotgun is far better. Assuming Yogi (or worse, Cindy and her kids) is far enough away and you have enough notice that he's coming for you. If either pop out of the bushes within 100 yards and charge, you'd better hope its a false charge, because you will never be fast enough.
 
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