So. ...I bought a 308 finally and it shoots amazing with the 165 sst. So when the prices on ammo went up a couple months ago I figured I'd pick up a box of gmx at the old price. So I shot 2 mulies with the sst at 80 and 200 yards and they performed awesome. But the problem comes in when I shot my moose. Couldn't find the box of sst so threw a couple gmx in the mag. So found a moose. ....370 yards. ...shot it ....and it just stands there. Walks around for a few min and then lays down. Finish it off and start to cleaning. ...wondering why it didnt expire sooner. Low and behold the gmx didn't expand. So after done research I've come to understand that the gmx bullet needs around 2600fps to properly expand while muzzle velocity for that cartridge is around 2900. Am I supposed to only shoot that bullet about 80 yards? Any help or better explanation would be great. Thanks guys.
Hornady 308 Superformance 165g gmx.....useless?
- Thread starter sookie_69
- Start date
I think it is hard to evaluate a bullet from one instance. It should experience expansion down to around 1900-2000 fps quite readily seeing that it is a tipped bullet. A .308 at almost 400 yards has given up a lot of energy at that point and a really tough bullet to boot may not cause a lot of tissue damage. Either way, you are eating more moose steak than a lot of us this winter.
Monolithic bullets - GMX, E-Tip, TTX/TTSX were probably "initially" created for places such as California that don't allow any lead in their hunting bullets.
It doesn't mean these bullets were either superior or desirable to cup/core bullets that have been around for decades or even the newer bonded concoctions.
Great gobs of marketing dollars and anecdotal accounts have convinced many that these Mono's are somehow superior in every circumstance and you should run out and buy cases and feed them to your rifle, exclusively.
As you note, unless you are shooting a caliber that ends in "magnum" you best leave these bullets on the shelf OR, in your (and my) standard calibers aim for the shoulder at distances less than 100 yards.
Here's a few examples of terminal performance - pick your poison based on your impact velocity.
It doesn't mean these bullets were either superior or desirable to cup/core bullets that have been around for decades or even the newer bonded concoctions.
Great gobs of marketing dollars and anecdotal accounts have convinced many that these Mono's are somehow superior in every circumstance and you should run out and buy cases and feed them to your rifle, exclusively.
As you note, unless you are shooting a caliber that ends in "magnum" you best leave these bullets on the shelf OR, in your (and my) standard calibers aim for the shoulder at distances less than 100 yards.
Here's a few examples of terminal performance - pick your poison based on your impact velocity.
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You're on the right track, question everything.
The nature of bullets is that the better they get at one thing, the more they need that one thing to work. Copper bullets are great for plowing through shoulders and busting bone on the way through, but then they sort of need that kind of resistance to really perform. They are great for withstanding wild impact velocities, but then they turn all lame ass when they don't get it. They are amoung the best for shooting through animals lengthwise, but that comes at the expense of giving up something on a broadside shots. Ditto for being great for plastering a 2000 pound thick skinned Buffalo through the thickest, heaviest, boniest part at the closest range. That pretty much assures that it's not what you want for shooting a glorified rabbit through the ribs at 500, but a lot of people haven't thought that through all the way. I've killed animals into the hundreds with copper bullets and they aren't my favorites for general purpose. My best luck with those is to pretend that they are solids and pick shot placement accordingly.
Specialization is a #####. It's like buying a ball point pen that will work underwater, then finding out it only works underwater.
The nature of bullets is that the better they get at one thing, the more they need that one thing to work. Copper bullets are great for plowing through shoulders and busting bone on the way through, but then they sort of need that kind of resistance to really perform. They are great for withstanding wild impact velocities, but then they turn all lame ass when they don't get it. They are amoung the best for shooting through animals lengthwise, but that comes at the expense of giving up something on a broadside shots. Ditto for being great for plastering a 2000 pound thick skinned Buffalo through the thickest, heaviest, boniest part at the closest range. That pretty much assures that it's not what you want for shooting a glorified rabbit through the ribs at 500, but a lot of people haven't thought that through all the way. I've killed animals into the hundreds with copper bullets and they aren't my favorites for general purpose. My best luck with those is to pretend that they are solids and pick shot placement accordingly.
Specialization is a #####. It's like buying a ball point pen that will work underwater, then finding out it only works underwater.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Mike smashed that one on the head. You haven't got the howsepower to be shooting a conventional weight mono bullet at long range. If you really shot the moose at 370 with a 308 you shouldn't be surprised that the bullet didn't have the energy to expand.
You need to start handloading. You'll never have to worry about whether or not you have the right bullet when you have a few hundred on the shelf.
You need to start handloading. You'll never have to worry about whether or not you have the right bullet when you have a few hundred on the shelf.
As I have stated on here more than once. I will not live long enough to gain the experience with monometal bullets that I have enjoyed with the Nosler Partition.
I started shooting the Partition in the 1960's, and have well over 100 head of game taken with them. They just get the job done....near or far.
However, the game I have shot with the TTSX and TSX and GMX seem to verify that they are best suited to Magnum chamberings, and even at that, not too far out there.
Therefore,I endorse Dogleg's and galambs's comments above.
As velocities drop off, the monometals start to give erratic performance, pencilling through or failing to expand any great amount.
The fact that some shoot so well make them attractive to certain individuals, but accuracy is only ONE factor in choosing a good game bullet.
There are many very decent bonded core bullets offered, and these give more reliable expansion, particularly when velocities are down.
I have basically decided to limit my use of monometals, in favor of bullets that are more reliable. Regards, Dave.
I started shooting the Partition in the 1960's, and have well over 100 head of game taken with them. They just get the job done....near or far.
However, the game I have shot with the TTSX and TSX and GMX seem to verify that they are best suited to Magnum chamberings, and even at that, not too far out there.
Therefore,I endorse Dogleg's and galambs's comments above.
As velocities drop off, the monometals start to give erratic performance, pencilling through or failing to expand any great amount.
The fact that some shoot so well make them attractive to certain individuals, but accuracy is only ONE factor in choosing a good game bullet.
There are many very decent bonded core bullets offered, and these give more reliable expansion, particularly when velocities are down.
I have basically decided to limit my use of monometals, in favor of bullets that are more reliable. Regards, Dave.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I've always thought that the SST was a bit too frangible for my liking. As Eagleye stated, the Nosler Partition is a great and predictable bullet that bears consideration for your application.
Deerdr Junior
New member
At long ranges you want explosive bullets, due to the low velocity at impact. At those ranges nosler ballistic tips perform like accubonds, accubonds perform like partitions, and partitions perform like a brick. All are great bullet choices depending on your range and velocity.
Actually, a Partition opens violently at low velocity and is rated at the same low end velocity as both Ballistic tips and Accubonds. What you get with a Partition is a near guarantee that its will not totally disintegrate at the highest velocities.
Dogleg the philosopher!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I think you need to shoot more Partitions. The bow section is really soft so they open quite effectively at long range. I've made a couple of close to 400 yard shots with 180gr Partitions out of the 30-06 and the Partition performed really well. Unless you were the caribou on the receiving end of them.
