Are "Premium" bullets worth the expense ?

[Shawnee]

This question is posed in the context of deer and feral hog hunting.

I have taken such game with only a couple of the "modern" bullet designs (eg. Hornady's "SST" bullets), and have not taken any game with what is today termed "premium" bullets. That's to say I have long used bullets like the "regular" Hornadys, the Remington Core-Lokts and the Winchester Silvertips. And the boring fact is - all of these bullets have always done a good job of exactly what I needed them to do.... for years.

So, with this class of "big" game - which happens to be the game most hunters get to hunt - I just don't see a tangible value in the "premium" bullets. In fact, I really suspect they are sometimes "more" bullet than should be used on this type game.

Of course, I just have to wonder what I might be overlooking.

What are the experiences and thoughts on this matter from Y'All ?????


Many thanks,

 

[sumpnz]

It depends on the caliber as to whether "premium" bullets are worth while. Whenever you're on the margin for having a caliber that's pushing the low end of the limits for "big enough" I think they're very much warranted. E.g. for deer (at least the big western mule deer) when using a .22 centerfire then premium bullets are a practical necessity in order to ensure enough penetration. But for a .243 or larger caliber on the diminutive white-tails of AZ, then they are clearly not necessary, and likely not even desirable. Many won't expand enough on the light structure of a small whitetail to do the damage that's desired.

I personally found the Barnes XLC to be adequate for use on elk in my 6.5x55mm rifle. But there was not a tremendous amount of margin I and would not even think about a bulk bullet like Cor-Lokt's for that application.

 

[TCB in TN]

On deer and hogs I would see no reason to use premium bullets in the 30-30, .270, .308, or 30-06 etc. Going smaller is a different story. In the .243 and similar (especially on big hogs) I would like to use better constructed fare. (No offense Shawnee) I have see big hogs take a real pounding and come after you (especially in heavy brush), and so big bullets or at least well constructed bullets make a lot of sense to me.

 

[cliffy]

YES! the PREMIER the BETTER

Practice cheap, but HUNT expensive. Hunters spend Billions of dollars yearly, so WHY consider skimping on the BULLET? cliffy

 

[Shawnee]

"(No offense Shawnee)"


LOL ! None taken, TCB, I asked the question because I want to hear the thoughts of others.


Though my 243(s) have dropped several hogs, and some large ones - I haven't hunted them in truly thick cover. If I were to do so - I think I would switch to a bigger bullet (caliber) rather than switch to a "premium" 243 bullet.

Perhaps that's because my yellow streak is a mile wide and if there is a chance of my baby-pink kiester getting tusked, gored, clawed and/or bitten I want a caliber that throws something the size of an anvil at about 800fps. rather than something the size of a pencil at 1000 mph. I want all the energy of my bullet expended in the animal.

Keep 'em comin', Lads !

 

[cliffy]

Attacked by a BIG PIG!

The chances of a large boar attacking a hunter is quite miniscule. They'd rather try to save their hams. Going into deep cover to finish-off a 400 pound hog that's already been wounded is ludicrous. WAIT about two hours, then retrieve it. I am most ferocious when cornered with no way out. Pigs are supposed to be more vicious than dogs, but never corner me because I can be a vicious PIG/DOG. cliffy

 

[caribou]

Cool.....
I love only accurate ammo, rifles and the hot woman that shoots them...LOL!

If Im having to use a commercial caliber, it IS .243W with Rem 100 gr. corelocks, and nothing else.( You see that period?)
I do , however use the BEST ammo for my shooting choice, Czeck 147 gr. FMJ's , because "Hunters" may spend Billions a year, but I got left out of all that $$$, so I use the best I can afford, the Sako'd Mosin and Czecks......spot on every time!

My ADL Reminton 700 is just as good, like Dead even, to the Sako, and terminal effects are near the same, as bth are accurate as I need them, its the cost that makes my choice; 35$ for a box of 20 .243W or 62$ per 800rds that I payd for each of the 23 crates of 7.62X54R.....

Dosnt matter "With what" it IS all about "Where " you hit them.
If you are gonna hunt in heavy brush, maby consitter the "shorter" rifle you own....
The bullet that did the job is what I constitter "Premium"

 

[cliffy]

Furthermore . . .

A .243 Winchester wielding 100 grain Speer Grand Slams creates up to a ton of energy per strike. This scenario far exceeds a U.S. soldier attempting to save his or her butt with a meager offering of 1300 ft/lbs of 5.56mm authority. I've never met the pig that said, "I'm gonna getcha" after tasting a 6mm 2200 ft/lb entry wound at close-range. Not flinching is the KEY, so a .243 Premium bullet makes few adults flinch. cliffy

 

[cliffy]

Hi Caribou

I reload, so even with PREMIUM bullets I never approach $35 per 20 rounds. The VERY BEST .243 bullets cost $.50 each, primers are about $.03 each, with about $.15 worth of powder each. Hmmm! $.68 x 20 = under $14 per 20rounds. I shoot about $30 worth at the range about thrice a week. $90 a week is cheaper fun than many events I could conceive of doing weekly. cliffy

 

[TCB in TN]

The chances of a large boar attacking a hunter is quite miniscule. They'd rather try to save their hams. Going into deep cover to finish-off a 400 pound hog that's already been wounded is ludicrous. WAIT about two hours, then retrieve it. I am most ferocious when cornered with no way out. Pigs are supposed to be more vicious than dogs, but never corner me because I can be a vicious PIG/DOG. cliffy

You must not have hunted some of the places I have. I have had a number of hogs charge me in heavy cover here in middle TN, and know several who have been "kissed" by a pig so to speak. (They didn't enjoy it!) A trip to the hospital to sew up a huge gash from a tushin may not be a big deal to you, but I know a few folks that would disagree!

Though my 243(s) have dropped several hogs, and some large ones - I haven't hunted them in truly thick cover. If I were to do so - I think I would switch to a bigger bullet (caliber) rather than switch to a "premium" 243 bullet.

Perhaps that's because my yellow streak is a mile wide and if there is a chance of my baby-pink kiester getting tusked, gored, clawed and/or bitten I want a caliber that throws something the size of an anvil at about 800fps. rather than something the size of a pencil at 1000 mph. I want all the energy of my bullet expended in the animal.

I can understand, walking down under a bluff to get a good shot at a big hog under that is bayed isn't something to take lightly. A 250lb hog can cut a dog (or you) from stem to stern, and while I have used plenty of smaller guns to take them, it wasn't the smartest thing that I have ever done.

(Ran with some boys who bayed and CAUGHT them live on some big farms, a few times. Yes I was dumb! And yes most of those boys got hurt once or twice. )

 

[.38 Special]

I'll actually take a slightly different tack from most of the responders so far. In my experience, premium bullets come into their own in very demanding circumstances, like very high velocities. I agree that the fancy bullets are not too important in "standard" calibers like .30-'06 and .270, but when you're driving a bullet to very high velocities -- think .257 Weatherby, .30-378, etc. -- then a tougher bullet begins to make sense.

The $64,000 question, then, is why you would bother with calibers like .257 Weatherby and .30-378, but that's another thread.

For the .30-'06 and hogs, I like the heavier Hornady interlocks, which are pretty cheap. For "premiums", I like Partitions, which aren't all that expensive either.

 

[moooose102]

YES, they are worth the extra money. you have so much money tied up in all your hunting gear, that if you actually figured out how much it cost you to get a deer or two a year, the meat would be in the neighborhood of $100.00 a pound. so with thousands of dollars invested in equipment, time off from work, gas, etc. why would you try to save $7 ot 8 bucks a box for cheap bullets that may let your deer of a lifetime walk away for somebody else to harvest? it just does not make any sence to skimp on the one thing that can actually turn your hunt from good to bad by saving a couple of dollars. the bullet, is what actually does the killing. it is up to you to put it in the right place. but if the bullet does not do what it is supposed to do, you go home empty handed.even if you are way overpowered, if the bullet fragments upon impact, there is no hydraulic shock, no penetration, no major wound channel. just a bad open horrific surface wound that will fester, get infected, and let your prize die a slow and miserable death. instead of a quick humane kill. take the family to mcdonalds for one meal instead of applebee's and you will save enough money to buy two boxes of premium hunting bullets.

 

[kmrcstintn]

hard to say since most shots that I am going to take on deer are under 100 yards; when I get into groundhog hunting next spring/summer, I might see the advantage with longer shots where a ballistic tip would offer some advantage over a softpoint or hollowpoint

 

[caribou]

Hey, Cliffy.
I wish I were reloading.....
Id love to reload, but I have several small kids about in a small house, boats and tents....
I also have huge freight costs + hazmat fees and forwarding costs, as well as several companys that just wont bother with Alaksa.....
Everything is barged up in the summer or flown in the other 9 monthes.
Gas is 7.85$ a gallon, so you can see the inflation curve on fuel and metal, ah I mean bullets....The Arctic is expensive.

I bulk buy, and sometimes its a good thang....I shoot my rifle sometimes, just because I can....then I go back in the house and reload the rifle...

I would also use the best I could get, if it were availibe, and reload some seriously accurate stuff, but that wont happen untill the kids are gone and I'm half outta my stash. I do have about 700 .243w 100gr. corelocks to get through, eventually, but with 5 daughers, the ADL is a designated "Girls gun" untill they can hold an M-39 steady, free hand. My 14 year old loves her Valmet M-39. so I think shell be cutting in on the cheap stuff soon, like her brothers.

.243W is an awsome round.

 

[Sunray]

There were no "premium" bullets in 1944 when the .257 Weatherby was developed.
'Premium' bullets exist because the manufacturers have to constantly bring out new products or risk losing market share.
"...a ballistic tip would offer some advantage..." A ground hog doesn't get killed any faster with a BT than it does with an SP or HP. Varmint hunting is great practice for deer season though. Your deer load will do nicely for ground hogs.
"...Practice cheap, but HUNT expensive..." Nope. You should practice with the same ammo you use for hunting.

 

[.38 Special]

There were no "premium" bullets in 1944 when the .257 Weatherby was developed.

Which goes a long way towards explaining why anything with "Weatherby" printed on the side of the barrel developed such a poisonous reputation among professional hunters. Premium bullets -- like the "X" bullet or "Triple Shock" -- make this round utterly deadly.

 

[swampshooter]

I think a lot of the people answering here have very little experience hog hunting. At close range hogs are extremely dangerous and can absorb a lot of lead. I have never heard an experienced hog hunter recommend a .243, with any kind of bullet. Premium small caliber bullets are slow killers on deer also, I'd suggest 85-100gr. cup and core bullets for deer when using a .243.

 

[Boxhead]

In my experience deer and hogs are quite easy to drop with any reasonable high powered rifle placing the bullet correctly. For years I only used a 308 Win with the 165 gr Hornady spitzer with zero problems. These days I tend to shoot larger bore rifles at perhaps slower velocities as I hunt deer little and larger game more so. With that, the standard slugs in my 338-06, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 easily impresses a little deer or hog. If I were only hunting deer/hogs I would not spend the $$ on a premium bullet as they are not required.

 

[.38 Special]

IMO, the plain fact of the matter is that standard bullets in standard calibers are essentially perfect. The problem stems from folks that A) think they need huge amounts of horsepower for "standard" big game animals, and B) folks that think they need to shoot at those animals from the next county over. Ultra-fast calibers need ultra-tough bullets that hold together under any circumstance. Standard calibers work fine with standard bullets.

So, if you are a sensible fellow who uses standard calibers at normal distances, you are fine with "regular" bullets. Otherwise, you need all the help you can get. (I'd suggest staying at home, but that advice is rarely if ever taken.)

 

[Art Eatman]

Thinking about this for a day or so: Sometimes there's what I call the "Zen factor". That is, if you have more confidence in what you're using, you, yourself may well perform better. That little voice saying, "Yeah, shoot! You'll hit!"

And Lo! And Behold! Bambi goes plop.

 

[freakshow10mm]

My rule:

If the hunt will cost more than the gun and scope combined, use premium bullets.

Example: Elk, moose, exotic game, etc.

 

[TCB in TN]

I think some people mistake their notion of hog hunting for HOG HUNTIN. If you are sitting in you tree stand or blind waiting for the lil' piggies to come to market then I am sure just about any center fire rifle will be plenty for you. Get down into a TN mountain creek bed, in the middle of a nice holly thicket, with a bunch of dead falls layin all around, come up on a big 300lb ticked off, bayed Russian/feral boar hog then come talk to me. It ain't lion or cape buff huntin but those critters will still flat get you if they get the chance. Bullet placement is king, but if you happen to run across one of those big tough armored son of a guns then your lil 85gr .243 may not get'er done as quick as you'd like. Sometimes bigger IS better, and lacking that (larger cal) a properly constructed premium bullet might just be your friend.

 

[Shawnee]

"Get down into a TN mountain creek bed, in the middle of a nice holly thicket, with a bunch of dead falls layin all around, come up on a big 300lb ticked off, bayed Russian/feral boar hog...."

That's when I want a short-barreled Remington 1100 loaded to the gills with premium 12ga. slugs.... and a roll of premium Charmin.

 

[kolob10]

Premium bullets

Yes, Premium bullets make sense. I pride myself in one shot kills. I love hunting but never really took any comfort in the killing part. I respect the game and wish not to see them suffer. I don't take marginal shots. I use all the help I can get with the kill. With that said, I use premium bullets only when necessary. I have done much penetration/expansion testing over the years and in some cases see no need for premium bullets for smaller game and whitetail deer. For hogs, it is premium bullets. For elk it is nosler partition or accubonds. (Used Sierra game kings with rifles over 30 caliber with success in the past). For deer it is nosler ballistic tips unless I'm hunting in thick cover. Goats - Hornady non premium. Coyotes - Hornady v max. Never shot a bear and have no desire to do so since I care not for bear meat but I would use a premium bullet. Good shooting!

 

[buck460XVR]

For 99% of the hunters, 99% of the time on any game in the lower 48, the cheap box of Remmy Cor-loks is as effective as any of the so called "Premium" ammo. It just does not look as cool as the nickel-plated cased, black/white/red tipped premium rounds when in the bandoleer around your neck. Makin' the shot and bullet placement is still the key. Unless you are makin' 500 yard shots with a marginal caliber for the game you are after, take the money your save by not buying the premium shells and buy more regular shells and target practice more. That way you can depend on your shooting abilities instead of hoping the hype is correct and the magical bullet will compensate for your poorly placed shot.