limitations of basic 'soft points' vs premium bullets....

[catnthehatt]

for hunting anything larger than varmints i usually just shell out for premium bullets - figuring even with a $40-50 box of bullets its only a couple bucks per deer, which is peanuts considering all of the other cost factors of a hunt. but i admit that out of all of the facets of hunting & gun ownership i understand bullet construction the least -- i just pretty much trust in marketing and assume you get what you pay for.

but really, at common hunting ranges like ~100 yards, on medium sized game, is there any significant benefit to premium bullets (Winchester XP3 for example) vs traditional, basic 'soft points' such as the Winchester 180gr 'Power Point' SP?

how many of you buy premium bullets for everything across the board, and how many buy them only for select conditions such as larger game and/or higher-velocity magnums which require a more controlled expansion?

I don't handload any premiums, except when asked to by someone that wants them.
Cat

 

[BwanaDave]

I only regularly load what could be considered premiums in one cartridge 286 gr NP's for my 9.3x62 that I take to work in bear country, the rest get standard hornady interlocks and work just fine in my rifles ( no muzzle velocities above 2800fps and I use heavy for caliber bullets) I get pass through's most shots and good penetration and killing power on the others so I figure if it aint broke why fix it . If you want to buy and use premiums have at it, no skin off my _ss. I did try TSX's in my 06 and their performance on paper was pretty good, never shot anything with them though so cant venture an opinion on their killing power but judging from the positive responses on the board I'm sure I'd have no problems using them.

 

[Boer seun]

I don't care much for the premium stuff but, I do have some of these that I plan to use; http://www.lima-wiederladetechnik.de/

They are generally light for caliber but saw the 104gr down a huge mule deer buck at 200y, dropped it in it's tracks and zipped right throug now I get 3000fps with my 7x57! And would not feel under gunned on anything but Elk

 

[Boer seun]

Let me also add that they are horibly expensive

 

[adriel]

I can see the need for "premium" bullets; high-stepping magnums + light-for-caliber bullets + a close range shot = possible bullet failure. A premium bullet is your only option if you do not wish to go for a non-magnum or choose a heavier bullet. The other possibility is if you're shooting dangerous game and you need penetration regardless of the shot angle.

I would say that the "premiums" are at a slight disadvantage for whitetail deer because they are more likely to over-penetrate and dump the extra energy in the dirt rather than in the deer.

 

[Gatehouse]

I
I would say that the "premiums" are at a slight disadvantage for whitetail deer because they are more likely to over-penetrate and dump the extra energy in the dirt rather than in the deer.

Priceless!!

I love it!!