Military snipers use match grade, not hunting rounds. Why?

[earplug]

Bullet tumbling

A long heavy bullet such as used for long range shooting, will start to yaw/tumble when it hits flesh. That long sharp nose cuts allot of tissue while its spinning end for end.
The same effect as the M16's old M193 55 grain bullet, which would also break apart.
The reason why a target style high BC Spitser FMJ bullet is not recommended for hunting is the erratic performance on big game due to the tumbling issue.
A solid round nose will drill a neat straight hole. This is needed for punching holes in heavy bone like Elephant skulls or Cape Buffalo shoulders.

 

[627PCFan]

FMJ is there to make sure that the bullet can make it to the target, through doors, glass, ect. After that, getting hit by the bullet still traveling at that speed is going to do some kind of damage to the target regardless.

 

[Art Eatman]

For the OP: Our military follows the Hague convention, regardless of any signing or lack thereof. No expanding ammo to be used in combat. US government/Pentagon policy.

Police are not necessarily bound by this; it varies with state laws or department policy.

Hunters use expanding bullets for quicker, cleaner kills.

Enough.