I'm following another thread ( long range hunting shots ) and am after effective bullet reports on shots past 400 yards (good or bad ) . I've always used nosler partitions but they don't have the B.C. To go very long . I've been target shooting with Berger vld hunting and getting good accuracy but last fall I shot a moose in the hump at 100 yards , watched it drop on the spot and get up in 5 seconds and start walking away. Gave it another in the neck and parked it . Found the first bullet made it to the spine but had fragmented so bad it didn't penetrate far enough. I'm sure the moose would have kept going without the follow up shot . I shoot moose for meat and with the nosler a hump shot has never failed . So I'm thinking the vld is only good for blowing up in the boiler room .
Long range hunting bullet
- Thread starter Keithjohn
- Start date
I am a Nosler Partition fan for moose too. I've shot three or 4 moose and dropped them with one shot out of a .264 WM. I say three or 4 because two of us shot at one moose and it dropped on the spot. We never found the bullet(s) to determine who got it. My hunting buddy shoots Partitions too.
That said, both him and myself believe in heart and lungs shot only. I would never intentionally shoot at the hump, or neck, or head. We also resist charging up to see the result, thus giving some time for the impact to "sink in".
If you want to shoot longer range, it would seem the Berger might be a good idea with a boiler room shot. I have no experience with it. I would look for the green highlighted bullets identified in Berger's Form Factor chart.
Love the "partitions" as well - Nosler's or Swift A-Frames.
If I was looking to push the distance past 400 Swift Scirocco would be near the top of the list. The Mono's (TTSX, GMX) etc would have the BC, but need magnum impact speeds to expand properly (minimum 2000 fps @ impact with 2500'ish fps being ideal) which leaves out just about any "non-magnum" out at 400 yards unless you want minimal expansion.
If I was looking to push the distance past 400 Swift Scirocco would be near the top of the list. The Mono's (TTSX, GMX) etc would have the BC, but need magnum impact speeds to expand properly (minimum 2000 fps @ impact with 2500'ish fps being ideal) which leaves out just about any "non-magnum" out at 400 yards unless you want minimal expansion.
I'll combine two subjects , my first moose (32years ago) I shot right in the heart lung area from 75 yards and it only went 30-50 yards but into a swamp with terrible access , added an extra 5 hrs . That much work takes the fun out of it for me so unless I can drop them on the spot I pass it up . Where I hunted back then where it dropped (eg river bank )was important, not so much where I live now but old habits
Agreed , I'm after hunting bullet experience at ranges past 400 yards , I've never tried to hunt that far but I am now shooting that far but don't have confidence in the bullets that fly good working for hunting , I'm hoping to hear (good or bad ) experience with bullets designed for long range game
Maybe try the solids like Barnes LRX or go with Nosler's Accubond Long Range. BC is unbelievable on the AB and expansion is supposed to be good to ~1300fps.
Not sure about how they get a good BC with a solid but they claim it's good for distance and about the same expanion fps as the LR Accubond.
Not sure about how they get a good BC with a solid but they claim it's good for distance and about the same expanion fps as the LR Accubond.
I get that you want to Shoot Past 400, but how much farther? 500 is farther than 400 and you don't really need a boat-tail for
that never mind VLDs. There comes a point where clinging to
Every last possible fps is huge, and frangible bullets that retain some
Measure of killing power are important at the reduced velocity but it's a lot farther out than many think.theres a lot of common hunting bullets that will Get you out to 600-700 without being a. Wreck waiting at close range
Bullets react on impact differently at long range and short range. While some people can make long shots, or even longer shots on paper it does not mean that you have much energy to properly expand on a hit. Most bullet claims made by their makers have a range of velocity/energy for them to expand properly. Too little the bullet does not expand, and too much causes fragmentation rather than penetration.
I know , I'm just after what results people have seen with long range hunting bullets . Can you tell a positive or negative on a bullet
Like I have every confidence in a nosler or a Barnes hunting bullets but I can hit good a lot further with vld and accubond long range .i just hate believing the adds /hype and would like personal observations of the bullets performance at whatever ranges from those that have an observation
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Always good results with Barnes TSX bullets. The tipped T-TSX bullets should work even better with the higher ballistic coefficient. In my .300 Win. Mag. I load the 180gr T-TSX bullet (0.48 b.c.) at 3050 fps MV.
Sighted 3.5" high at 100 yards, it's 10" low at 400 yards and going about 2300 fps.
Sako 85 Grey Wolf .300 Win. Mag. with Nikon Monarch-3 4-16x42mm scope
Sighted 3.5" high at 100 yards, it's 10" low at 400 yards and going about 2300 fps.
Sako 85 Grey Wolf .300 Win. Mag. with Nikon Monarch-3 4-16x42mm scope
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I've had great success using Swift Scirocco II's on whitetails at medium range (500ish). I never recovered a bullet but the deer didn't go more than 10 feet. These were 180 grain out of a .300 win mag at 3000ish fps.
Having said that, I have killed deer and moose with Sierra Match kings, Sierra Gamekings, Berger VLDs, Berger Hunting VLDs, Hornady Amaxs, Nosler Accubonds, Nosler Partitions...The only bullets that I wasn't happy with as far as performance is concerned were the dedicated hunting bullets like Accubonds and Partitions at close range. These bullets killed the animals but they ran up to 150 metres. The same shot with a target bullet would have been a bang-flop.
The way I see it, use which ever bullets produces the accuracy that you require and that you have confidence in. I've never had to Matchking a deer or moose twice.
Having said that, I have killed deer and moose with Sierra Match kings, Sierra Gamekings, Berger VLDs, Berger Hunting VLDs, Hornady Amaxs, Nosler Accubonds, Nosler Partitions...The only bullets that I wasn't happy with as far as performance is concerned were the dedicated hunting bullets like Accubonds and Partitions at close range. These bullets killed the animals but they ran up to 150 metres. The same shot with a target bullet would have been a bang-flop.
The way I see it, use which ever bullets produces the accuracy that you require and that you have confidence in. I've never had to Matchking a deer or moose twice.
I can tell 1000 positive stories and a few dozen negatives. I can't help you without more detail stating with caliber and desired range. Game size plays a big part In how bullets react as well. Long range hunting bullets is a delicate balance usallly not a simple answer.
However, if you want a 1 size fits most answer a 300 grain SMK out Edge or
Papua will take care of Your moose or deer from 0-1000 or so. Does
That help you? Didn't think so.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I have personally used the Barnes LRX. This is a very reliable bullet. I have seen controlled expansion from 2700 god all the way to about 1900fps myself. It has held up and not fragmented keeping over 94% of its wieght in all cases. I have been very impressed. I have also had good luck with the Amax. I know there will be a lot of nay sayers, but before I knew anything about terminal performance in terms of reliable expansion, SD etc...I was using these out past 600 on coyotes and up to 500 on deer. It is a very underrated bullet. I have 400 ELDX that will be getting the test soon, hopefully they perform as stated too....
Bullet performance will vary with caliber and cartridge. To get more specific answers please give more specific details.
A lot of the answers you're looking for can be found at ballistic studies dot com. Nathan has a lot of nuisance species in NZ to test every bullet in every cartrige handloads and factories.
A lot of the answers you're looking for can be found at ballistic studies dot com. Nathan has a lot of nuisance species in NZ to test every bullet in every cartrige handloads and factories.
Barnes have been known to stretch the truth a little from time to time.
Berger's Comments about Barnes Claims
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Not promoting one or the other but many hunters have sworn off Berger after using them.Mind you any commercially produced and promoted product is only going to show you what their product CAN do, they very seldom show you what it can't do.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. I have used Nosler Partitions out a bit past 500 with success, so do not feel the need for the really
sleek bullets.
My one and only 600 yard shot was taken with the 270 Winchester and a 140 Accubond. Dead within 30 feet, and a
passthrough....exit was about Loonie size. That is farther than I care to shoot, FWIW. Dave.
My thoughts on this is 2 fold....
First is cup and core expand better at lower velocity then solids or bonded bullets, and your velocity is going to be low at impact. Partition will cover both close high velocity impact and Iong range low velocity impact so you don't need specific bullets for either, just more range time with the same load.
2nd is caliber, 7mm minimum in my mind, but something in the .30's like 338 would be even better.
First is cup and core expand better at lower velocity then solids or bonded bullets, and your velocity is going to be low at impact. Partition will cover both close high velocity impact and Iong range low velocity impact so you don't need specific bullets for either, just more range time with the same load.
2nd is caliber, 7mm minimum in my mind, but something in the .30's like 338 would be even better.
