Using Target Bullets on Game....

[bozo699]

I think everyone that’s gonna get it already got it…

1+1=5. You’re right.

Oh God yeah!…
Wayne

 

[Bc'z]

I think
1+1=5.

It's not??

 

[varmit_hunter]

I like watching Long Range hunting group on u tube. He shoots alot of match bullets hunting. He does alot of testing with them. I have a new 280AI rifle. I bought some Hornady ELD M in 162 gr and 180 gr to load. Going to try them out this fall. Bought some 30 cal ELD M 195 gr for my 300 wby.

 

[Turpentine]

I kill around 75 to 100 deer per year plus several hogs with Hornady eldm's. A couple of my friends also use them in their Grendel's with excellent results on 50+ deer per year. We shoot depredation permits for farmers. 123 in 6.5 Grendel, 140 and 147s in my 6.5-06. 95% of these go down in their tracks. Those that do run bleed very well and don't go far. One of the best bullets I personally have ever used on deer. The 140 and 147 eldm is usually caliber in/ 2 inches out even with shoulder shots. If in doubt please don't shoot them. That leaves more for me. I actually have been running a little trial lately comparing 123 sst vs 123 eldm from my Grendel. The SST is no doubt a good bullet but I get more DRT kills with the Eld-m. I can't really explain it, but it happens.l

 

[RabbitSlayer]

There is a YouTube channel dedicated to hunting with target bullets. Gel tests galore and autopsies on animals. Eldm was a good one. Been a while, but I think TGK was good too. Id pick a ttsx or similar for a elk, but deer and pigs drop with a .223 easily, why not a eldm from a big gun?

 

[Turpentine]

There is a YouTube channel dedicated to hunting with target bullets. Gel tests galore and autopsies on animals. Eldm was a good one. Been a while, but I think TGK was good too. Id pick a ttsx or similar for an elk, but deer and pigs drop with a .223 easily, why not a eldm from a big gun?

Two good friends of mine took their 7mags with 180 Eldm's to Africa. Their guide was a bit skeptical. After they're taking the full gamut of plains game with them including Zebra, all with one shot kills, the guide wasn't skeptical anymore. Just stay on the medium to heavy for caliber options. They do the job nicely.

 

[searcher]

What is a hunting bullet? What does it do specifically?

Seems the term "hunting bullet" is used too universally. Anything can be called that by any manufacturer. The truth is there are some target bullets that probably hold together better than some bullets touted as "hunting" bullets". If a bullet is to fail - it will most likely be a thin jacket cup and core bullet. While there are some popular hunting bullets of this design, most target bullets are of this design. Many just blow apart, jackets separate on impact and with nothing left to hold the lead together. The lead fragments when striking anything hard since there is no jacket holding it all together. I guess we all have our own ideas of what constitutes a hunting bullet, let alone a good one. In my mind, a "true" hunting bullet would be one which is capable of holding enough weight together to continue penetrating when striking bone - regardless of whether it is of a "Barnes" type - or a leaded which is bonded, heavier jacket, etc.. Even then - the performance differs wildly between those designs. For thin-skinned small eastern deer, for example, a well placed broadside shot from a cup and core that disintegrates into the shallow vitals might be a speedier death than a through and through with a Barnes. The same shot with a frontal or angling shot might result in a lost animal. And I think that is what makes some of the bullets better than others - being up to the task when the shot is not perfect or on thicker-bodied animals - whichever design it is.

 

[bozo699]

Seems the term "hunting bullet" is used too universally. Anything can be called that by any manufacturer. The truth is there are some target bullets that probably hold together better than some bullets touted as "hunting" bullets". If a bullet is to fail - it will most likely be a thin jacket cup and core bullet. While there are some popular hunting bullets of this design, most target bullets are of this design. Many just blow apart, jackets separate on impact and with nothing left to hold the lead together. The lead fragments when striking anything hard since there is no jacket holding it all together. I guess we all have our own ideas of what constitutes a hunting bullet, let alone a good one. In my mind, a "true" hunting bullet would be one which is capable of holding enough weight together to continue penetrating when striking bone - regardless of whether it is of a "Barnes" type - or a leaded which is bonded, heavier jacket, etc.. Even then - the performance differs wildly between those designs. For thin-skinned small eastern deer, for example, a well placed broadside shot from a cup and core that disintegrates into the shallow vitals might be a speedier death than a through and through with a Barnes. The same shot with a frontal or angling shot might result in a lost animal. And I think that is what makes some of the bullets better than others - being up to the task when the shot is not perfect or on thicker-bodied animals - whichever design it is.

Perfectly stated
Wayne