Bullet Selection

M

Moon

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When discussing the virtues of a new chambering, often a lot of emphasis is given to bullet selection; particularly the potential to use a vast array of different weight bullets for a particular calibre. I would guess that this is especially relevant for the single gun hunter but I am wondering how many hunters actually change bullets for the type of game they hunt.

I would guess that if I was forced to use only one rifle for the rest of my hunting career (7mm Rem Mag, 30-06 Spfd or 300 Win mag) I would have a one-bullet-kills-all load.

Do you (often) change the bullets based on the quarry you are hunting?
 
Moon said:
Do you (often) change the bullets based on the quarry you are hunting?
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For deer I mostly use run of the mill lead core bullets...Because I mostly shoot a 25-06 I prefer premiums such a partitions for moose.

I also have a 375 ruger that I have yet to use for anything other than paper. If/when I use it, I will probably use conventional lead cores. A stout 375 lead core bullet will do just fine for anything I hunt.
 
I've gradually become a one rifle hunter, and shoot TSX's from my .375 H&H exclusively. I'm actually hunting more than ever, and that's a big part of why I went to one rifle now, the reverse of what many would figure. I prefer picking up one rifle, and one load, and getting on with it. Have taken nine head of game up to Cape Buffalo and counting this last couple years with .375 H&H, all but two with TSX's.

I find the TSX, in whatever weight you chose, moderates itself to any and all game. It's the perfect all 'rounder, I've shot dogs, and it pencils through without ruining the pelt but stills puts them down hard. I've also dropped Cape Buffalo with it, and at the same bullet weight, same effect. Only the Cape Buffalo kept the bullets inside it.

The only exception in my thinking is elephant, I'll use Barnes banded solids for them, but still maybe a 350gr TSX loaded #2. Basically to sum it up, a stout, true high quality hunting bullet will take anything you shoot it at, off the shelf cheapo lead cores won't necessarily, not cleanly anyhow. I'm a big fan of strongly constructed bullets. Premium bullets are such a small price to pay seeing as few of us shoot 300 deer a year, and the performance and benefits are clear when you use them. A good bullet's like a good scope, worth it.
 
I believe that bullet selection is far more important than calibre selection. More game is lost due to bad bullet choices, and more meat is wrecked due to bad bullet choices than from calibre choice. There are many, many cartridges that will "do it all" if the proper bullet choice for the job at hand is made.
 
I'm more apt to change rifles if I want to use a different bullet. Like a lot of guys here, I've got more rifles than I can shoot now, never mind 10 bullets for each. Softs and solids are an exception.
 
I use about a dozen diff. bullets in alot of my cals., depends on the game hunted, distance of anticipated shot, etc. Hunting for meat or varmint, etc. I'm working on a 150gr. bullet for the 45/70, making it a cal. that i use from 150gr. to 600gr., not many cals. have that variety!
 
When I get a new hunting rifle I usually try the Nosler partition, accubond and the tsx/ttsx. I usualy pick one powder that is temp stable and appropriate for the caliber. Whichever gives me the best accuracy first wins. I normally sitck to one load for each rifle. One rifle is an exception as it puts 3 different bullets into the same group, under an inch at 100. The rest all get one load, and I load up 100 rounds of the prefered load.

To me these four bullets are pretty much interchangeable, when fired from the same cartridge. I have fired them into a few different test mediums, dry newspaper and gelatin, and there isn't much differnece between them.
 
For North American game, I'm a one load for each rifle guy. I see no real neeed to switch bullets if you are using a decent bullet to start with.
 
"...working on a 150gr. bullet for the 45/70..." Varmint load? Wouldn't a 150 be kind of short? Just curious.
I've found that the longer you shoot and reload, the more likely it is you'll find one bullet that shoots so well out of your rifle, you quit trying others.
 
If I would be limited to one rifle and one load in those rifles that OP mentioned it would be
160 gr for 7 Rem Mag
165 gr for 30-06
180 gr for 300 Win Mag

No lead, monolithic bullet BT design with high BC.

Andrew
 
Pick a rifle that fits you well, then decide on a chambering , then load up quality rounds.I use a 150gr bonded top quality bullet that will work on anything, even does nice on paper.

Don't get stuck on the magnum or long action stereotype either, with today's bullet and powder technology it seems that the ability to take game is more dependent on velocity matched for bullet performance rather than high speed and high energy.Shot placement of course trumps everything.
 
It appears that I may not have done a great job in the wording of my original post.

For example, you can buy .308” Nosler Partition bullets in weights from 150 to 220 grain. I’m wondering if hunters may alternate bullet weights (using the same rifle) to reflect the game they are hunting?
 
Andrzej said:
If I would be limited to one rifle and one load in those rifles that OP mentioned it would be
160 gr for 7 Rem Mag
165 gr for 30-06
180 gr for 300 Win Mag

No lead, monolithic bullet BT design with high BC.

Andrew
Click to expand...

I have all three of those chamberings and those are the exact bullets I use in each particular rifle!
 
Andrzej said:
If I would be limited to one rifle and one load in those rifles that OP mentioned it would be
160 gr for 7 Rem Mag
165 gr for 30-06
180 gr for 300 Win Mag

No lead, monolithic bullet BT design with high BC.

Andrew
Click to expand...

I shoot 150s in my 7mm but am the same on the others.
 
My 300wm I stay with 180gr partitions. Its used for moose and bear the load works. My 25-06 I change bullet wieghts for the game I hunt. Varmits get 90grain cxp1. White tail and antelope get 115gr ballistic tip or 117gr superformance. And mule deer and bear I have 120gr fusion but I will switch to ttsx's once I locate some. Not a huge change in weight but bullet performance changes are very noticeable. I have a buddy uses a 270 for everything 110gr for coyotes and ground hogs. 130 for deer and 140-150gr for moose and bear. He's planning on taking a brown bear with a 270 using corloks. It will work but ill be bringing a lot more gun if I get to go with him
 
Im young, so I use a few different bullets. In the end it likely wont make a lick of difference, but hey, I got my whole life to figure it out.

For deer I use 150gr Winchester PowerMax. Also take a box of Federal Fusions and plain jane Win Super X to camp with me.

For moose I use either 200gr Winchester Silvertips or 180gr Nosler Partitions (all out of .308).

I also use the 200gr Silvertips for black bear.
 
Interesting and thanks for the replies. I generally believed that the vast majority of hunters did NOT change bullet weights. No doubt, we are pretty fortunate to have the great selection of bullets that we have today.
 
I like many change guns when changing game. 22s & 22 center fire for gophers,243s for coyotes, 280 for big game. 375 & 45-70 for fun but seldom shoot game with them. I have 1 or 2 loads that work great in each cal. Works for me:)
 
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