Hollow Point Match bullets for Hunting?
- Thread starter y2k
- Start date
Match bullets are generally NOT recommended for hunting big game. Some people use them for varmint hunting where they want to save the hides. Check Sierra's website for more info, or call them for their recommendation.
George
George
- Location
- calgary alberta
At what distances?
For close range work, under 500 yards you could not pick a worse bullet construction.
At distances beyond 500 yards the SMKs can work quite well.
The 308 cal 168 gr SMK is not a great bullet at distances beyond about 600 yards as it does not transcend from supersonic to sub sonic well, try the 175 gr SMK for longer shots it works better.
I don't think so. I have a bunch of .270 100gr hollow point varmint bullets.
George
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
MK's have worked just fine for me. They've always expanded in the experience I've had using them on game. I only use them on 400+ yard shots...
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
nope .
all of barnes x bullets are hollow points , and perfectly legal ......
lot of other companies make hollow point hunting bullets , all legal , even the hand gun calibers .
northern skies
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Worst case ontario
My understanding of the sierra matchking is that its design does not take terminal ballistics into account, to the extent that the US government propagandizes them as an officially "non-expanding" bullet in compliance with the hague convention. That doesn't mean it's the truth, they'll say anything they want. Whatever terminal effect it has is coincidental, and I am unaware of its terminal performance in the real world.
However, I may direct you to Berger's offering of "hunting" long range bullets. I have no personal experience with these, but it may be what you're looking for.
However, I may direct you to Berger's offering of "hunting" long range bullets. I have no personal experience with these, but it may be what you're looking for.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Why even consider it? It's not recommended for hunting.They aren't designed for hunting or intended for hunting.
The technology in today's hunting bullets is amazing. You can easily achieve sub MOA groupings with them and still have reliable on game performance.
I'm not telling you not to use them ,it is your choice BUT the odds are in favor of more wounded game than with a proper hunting bullet.You'll be the one tracking not me.
It's like using a garden shovel to dig a basement, it will work eventually but it isn't the proper tool for the job.
To me a match bullet is a match bullet, a hunting bullet is a hunting bullet.Only exception here I think would be a gopher round.
The technology in today's hunting bullets is amazing. You can easily achieve sub MOA groupings with them and still have reliable on game performance.
I'm not telling you not to use them ,it is your choice BUT the odds are in favor of more wounded game than with a proper hunting bullet.You'll be the one tracking not me.
It's like using a garden shovel to dig a basement, it will work eventually but it isn't the proper tool for the job.
To me a match bullet is a match bullet, a hunting bullet is a hunting bullet.Only exception here I think would be a gopher round.
Hollow point match bullets are fine for coyotes and gophes, etc. but they are not for big game. They are designed for accuracy, not necessarily controlled expansion. I have seen Nosler and PRVI bullets expand quite nicely, but I would not count on it for what may be a trophy of a lifetime.
Keep in mind, that Sierra also designs the GameKing bullets, which in many cases are damn near identical to the MatchKing bullets, but with a heavier copper jacket to deal with controlled expansion.
I would think that whatever load you develop for a MK, swapping over to a similar size/weight GK would still work quite well, and have the ability to hunt properly with it.
I would think that whatever load you develop for a MK, swapping over to a similar size/weight GK would still work quite well, and have the ability to hunt properly with it.
Have a look at this test for the Best Hunting Bullet done a few years ago. Of the 38 different bullets tested, I would suggest the Sierra Match King was the absolute worst by a long way. They are clearly made to punch holes in paper, and nothing more. There is a reason Sierra says not to use them.
- Location
- calgary alberta
I love these debates.
Most hunting bullets work great at closer ranges (higher velocities), the "premium" hunting bullets are more likely to expand well and retain mass than the cheaper 1s will due to design and production technique like bonding.
Most "match" bullets perform poorly on game as they are never bonded and normally have thinner jackets and franklly are not engineered to expand reliably, so at closer ranges (under 500 yards in my experience) 1 of 2 things will happen. Either the bullet "pencils" through leaving a small exit hole and does little damage or the expand very rapidly (nearly exploding on impact) generating little penetration but leaving large superficial wounds.
At longer distances once the bullet slows down some the premium hunting bullets fail to expand in many cases hence creating minimal wound channels and with the slow velocity you get less kinetic energy transfer ( hydrostatic trauma).
With standard hunting bullets accuracy at long range is questionable as is performance. Some come apart rapidly and do not penetrate well or are hard enough to not expand depending on construction.
Having killed hundreds of animals with match bullets at long range (600 to 1300 yards) over the years have found at distance they work better in most cases than a hunting bullet.
The real key to bullet selection is selecting the correct bullet for the job, this includes taking into account the distances the bullet is being used at, what the minimum velocity the bullet will expand at helps in this determination. Below 1500 FPS is where most bullets , unless specifically designed for expansion at under that speed, will fail to perform well.
Also what the animal being shot at should be taken into consideration. Trying to shoot Cape Buffalo with a cheap hunting bullet or a match bullet is stupid, regardless of caliber.
Shooting jack rabbits with monolithic bullets is also not really smart as they will always over penetrate.
Like anything else there are products that are not necessarily designed for a generic use but when used for something specific, can work exceedingly well.
Just because the manufacturer does not recommend it does not necessarily mean it won't work. I started to use match bullets for long range hunting after spending some time on a hunt with a well known bullet makers rep, who was using the very bullets they claim never hunt with, on a hunt and they worked real well as I found out, just need to use them a specific purpose.
Most hunting bullets work great at closer ranges (higher velocities), the "premium" hunting bullets are more likely to expand well and retain mass than the cheaper 1s will due to design and production technique like bonding.
Most "match" bullets perform poorly on game as they are never bonded and normally have thinner jackets and franklly are not engineered to expand reliably, so at closer ranges (under 500 yards in my experience) 1 of 2 things will happen. Either the bullet "pencils" through leaving a small exit hole and does little damage or the expand very rapidly (nearly exploding on impact) generating little penetration but leaving large superficial wounds.
At longer distances once the bullet slows down some the premium hunting bullets fail to expand in many cases hence creating minimal wound channels and with the slow velocity you get less kinetic energy transfer ( hydrostatic trauma).
With standard hunting bullets accuracy at long range is questionable as is performance. Some come apart rapidly and do not penetrate well or are hard enough to not expand depending on construction.
Having killed hundreds of animals with match bullets at long range (600 to 1300 yards) over the years have found at distance they work better in most cases than a hunting bullet.
The real key to bullet selection is selecting the correct bullet for the job, this includes taking into account the distances the bullet is being used at, what the minimum velocity the bullet will expand at helps in this determination. Below 1500 FPS is where most bullets , unless specifically designed for expansion at under that speed, will fail to perform well.
Also what the animal being shot at should be taken into consideration. Trying to shoot Cape Buffalo with a cheap hunting bullet or a match bullet is stupid, regardless of caliber.
Shooting jack rabbits with monolithic bullets is also not really smart as they will always over penetrate.
Like anything else there are products that are not necessarily designed for a generic use but when used for something specific, can work exceedingly well.
Just because the manufacturer does not recommend it does not necessarily mean it won't work. I started to use match bullets for long range hunting after spending some time on a hunt with a well known bullet makers rep, who was using the very bullets they claim never hunt with, on a hunt and they worked real well as I found out, just need to use them a specific purpose.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
So what happens when the animal you're after presents a shot at 200 yards? Do you run the other way until you get to 600?
- Location
- calgary alberta
So what happens when the animal you're after presents a shot at 200 yards? Do you run the other way until you get to 600?
I couldn't say as I can not remember the last time I shot anything with a rifle under 600 yards other than gophers.
Under most circumstances long range hunting and stalk/wander through the bush or road hunting are not combined as the equipment requirements are totally different.
When trying to combine the 2 it is best to have a hunting type bullet loaded as 1st up. Anytime a long range shot is presented you have time to change out a round to match ammo.
At shots taken under 500 yards the margin for error due to differences in trajectory is not as critical as it is beyond that, so having your come ups and wind dope figured out on the match bullet for long range work is the best way to go, then confirm as close as possible with a hunting bullet for the differences.
Using 2 different bullets is less than ideal, but does work if the effort is put in to use both in their respective uses.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
I disagree, I don't know of any pointed hunting bullets that can open up at 1500fps.
Most regular lead/copper hunting bullets need around 2000fps to reliably expand. I have had nosler ballistic tips open up at 1800fps pretty good. I see nosler has started printing recommended impact velocities on their Accubond boxes they state 1800 to 3200fps.
I want to try testing some A max's. I sectioned a 155 in half on the lathe the other day and found the copper jacket and lead to cut like butter, they are very soft. The jacket is thicker than I had thought but I bet they will be good down to below 1800fps.
