I haven't reloaded for 5 years or so. I want to get started again loading for 308 and 7mm-08. I was shocked at the price of bullets over the last ones I'd bought, which was probably 7-8 years ago. I've reloaded the ballistic tips and their variations, the partitions, barnes, and several other "premium bullets." What is your opinion or advice for good hunting bullets that are accurate, effective, and also ones that won't break the bank by loading and shooting numbers of them for practice ? I'm thinking about the winchester power point or core lokt.
Inexpensive, effective hunting bullets
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Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
For no particular reason I got stuck on Sierra, some thirty years back, mas o menos. After some discussion with a Sierra advisor, over at TFL a few years back, I've settled on the flat-base spitzer for 150-grain in 30 caliber. 140 (139?) grain for 7mm08. It's a jacket-thickness deal; the lighter boat-tails can blow up at close range if the muzzle velocity is much over 2,900.
I'd recommend the little 100-grain plinker bullets in 30 caliber for practice; you're working on eye-finger coordination, after all. You've already found out what's accurate in a hunting load.
I don't know of a cheap 7mm bullet, other than bulk purchase from one of the discount outfits.
Art
I'd recommend the little 100-grain plinker bullets in 30 caliber for practice; you're working on eye-finger coordination, after all. You've already found out what's accurate in a hunting load.
I don't know of a cheap 7mm bullet, other than bulk purchase from one of the discount outfits.
Art
lycanthrope
Member
Here's a vote for good old 139gr Honrnady Spire points for your 7. Accurate and kill clean (well, at least the 15 or so deer I've shot with that bullet have). The 154's are also pretty good.
in a 308 win, i have had outstanding success w/ 165 sierras and hornadys.
in 7mm, my best luck has been w/ hornady 139's and 162's.
either will work just fine. this fall, i busted a buck at just under 400 yards w/ a 308 (varget, 165 hornady, win cases, fed primer). bullet broke: onside leg, rib, sternum, heart, offside leg and lung, and the (fully expanded) bullet was recovered under the skin on the offside. that is a huge test of a bullet's construction. not enough? opposite end of the spectrum: buck at 15 yards. bullet went in, made a mess, and then exited - deer fell over, bullet not recovered. both ends of the spectrum are covered in those two examples. you don't need premiums in a 308 or 7-08.
in 7mm, my best luck has been w/ hornady 139's and 162's.
either will work just fine. this fall, i busted a buck at just under 400 yards w/ a 308 (varget, 165 hornady, win cases, fed primer). bullet broke: onside leg, rib, sternum, heart, offside leg and lung, and the (fully expanded) bullet was recovered under the skin on the offside. that is a huge test of a bullet's construction. not enough? opposite end of the spectrum: buck at 15 yards. bullet went in, made a mess, and then exited - deer fell over, bullet not recovered. both ends of the spectrum are covered in those two examples. you don't need premiums in a 308 or 7-08.
redneck2
Member
I suspect that, if you ask 4 different guys you'll get 4 different answers and all are probably right. I think a lot of times on something like this, we buy one brand because it's what was in the dealer's stock or the box was prettier or we heard from someone it was "better"
If you go to http://www.24hourcampfire.com and read the two articles about rifle accuracy it may answer your question.
How many rounds are you going to shoot total in a year?? 200-300 maybe (unless you do a lot of target). Even if there's $8 per box difference, that's still less than $25 total
I use Nosler BT's in my AR for everything from plinking to long range varminting. IMO, even as much as I shoot it, the cost difference isn't going to break to bank and they're extremely accurate
IMO, if you're going to use them on deer, you should use something good
If you go to http://www.24hourcampfire.com and read the two articles about rifle accuracy it may answer your question.
How many rounds are you going to shoot total in a year?? 200-300 maybe (unless you do a lot of target). Even if there's $8 per box difference, that's still less than $25 total
I use Nosler BT's in my AR for everything from plinking to long range varminting. IMO, even as much as I shoot it, the cost difference isn't going to break to bank and they're extremely accurate
IMO, if you're going to use them on deer, you should use something good
T.R.
Member
Sierra makes some of the most accurate bullets on the planet. I especially like their Pro Hunter series. Their boat-tail bullets may be slightly more accurate but core separation is common. I won't use boat-tails for hunting big game.
Hornady still makes very good hunting bullets. Their Inter-Lock is very similar to Remington core-lockt in design and performance.
TR
Hornady still makes very good hunting bullets. Their Inter-Lock is very similar to Remington core-lockt in design and performance.
TR
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
My father used the 150-grain Hornady Spire Point, exclusively. That goes back to the days when the spire was a straight taper, before the rounded ogive.
He proved in front of witnesses on numerous occasions that that bullet will kill deer out to 400 and 500 yards.
IOW, I think folks worry a bit too much about bullets. Learn a little bit about the construction, and then think about how you'll likely be using any bullet you select. I don't see it as all that difficult...
, Art
He proved in front of witnesses on numerous occasions that that bullet will kill deer out to 400 and 500 yards.
IOW, I think folks worry a bit too much about bullets. Learn a little bit about the construction, and then think about how you'll likely be using any bullet you select. I don't see it as all that difficult...
, Artosteodoc08
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+1 on the Core-Lokts. Simple but effective.
smokemaker
Member
+1 for the Sierra Gamekings, and Hornady interlocks.
You don't need a Trophy Bonded or CT Failsafe for deer.
You don't need a Trophy Bonded or CT Failsafe for deer.
MCgunner
Member
I know midway ( http://www.midwayusa.com/ ) has bulk bullets from Remington and Winchester. I have to echo Sierra and Hornady as a couple I've had great luck with both in accuracy and in performance on game. Light skinned stuff like deer, Sierra Game Kings are hard to beat. Heavier stuff, the Hornady Interlocks have great penetration without going to premium bullets but might not provide the expansion on lighter game. But, they're cheaper than Barnes.
For my .308, I have two loads that shoot very close to each other, don't need to re-sight in when I change loads. One's a 140 barnes X bullet I use on Hogs and would use on elk if I ever hunt with this gun, the other is a Nosler Ballistic Tip which is somewhat cheaper and expands rapidly on deer.
For my .308, I have two loads that shoot very close to each other, don't need to re-sight in when I change loads. One's a 140 barnes X bullet I use on Hogs and would use on elk if I ever hunt with this gun, the other is a Nosler Ballistic Tip which is somewhat cheaper and expands rapidly on deer.
Redneck2,
Thanks for the website on accuracy. I read both articles and they were very informative, some of the best I've read recently.
Gentlemen,
I thank you for your input about the different bullets and manufacturers. I will probably try the sierra's and the hornady's to see how well they shoot and perform on game. I have had some experience with sierra bullets and like them. I really want to practice with the same bullet I'm going to hunt with. I realize that other ideas may be cheaper, such as using lighter bullets or lighter loads when practicing. I guess I feel that the consistency in shooting the same bullet as I'm hunting would be a smarter thing to do.
Thanks
Thanks for the website on accuracy. I read both articles and they were very informative, some of the best I've read recently.
Gentlemen,
I thank you for your input about the different bullets and manufacturers. I will probably try the sierra's and the hornady's to see how well they shoot and perform on game. I have had some experience with sierra bullets and like them. I really want to practice with the same bullet I'm going to hunt with. I realize that other ideas may be cheaper, such as using lighter bullets or lighter loads when practicing. I guess I feel that the consistency in shooting the same bullet as I'm hunting would be a smarter thing to do.
Thanks
critter
Member
For practice in the 308, find somebody selling bulk FMJ military pull down bullets. They should shoot close to your hunting load POI and you can practice a LOT for cheap.
On the cheap, Remington's core-lokt was always good... though I'm with Art and much prefer Federal (with sierra bullets) with a boat-tail.
Avoid Wolf hunting ammo like the plague. It's not worth the savings.
Avoid Wolf hunting ammo like the plague. It's not worth the savings.
Terrierman
Member
I've had very good luck with 130 gr Sierra Game King in my .270 and 150 gr Hornady Interlocks in my .30-06. Neither is an expensive super supreme bullet, and as others have already stated, super premium bullets are not needed for deer sized game.
Lennyjoe
Member
Another fan of the Sierra Gameking line. Put down 2 does with them this year and prefer the JSP over the JHP bullet. The hollowpoint did some serious damage and the deer ran 40yds before laying down. The soft point on the other hand worked like a charm and dropped her in her tracks at 90yds.
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