Hunting loads often have better components marketed to a recreational crowd that demands better performance at greater ranges. Failure to deliver will result in lesser praise among hunters and lower sales.
Recreational activities or the hobby market is a market that can usually charge more because people will pay more for recreational toys or activities they don't need. You see that with most big boy toys, they cost more than they reasonably should or compared to similar products outside of the recreational market. So it can be more expensive, even more than warranted.
But those purchasing in some specialty recreational markets both expect better performance and are willing to pay more for better performance. Especially in activities requiring few shots such as game hunting.
A tactical load may target either a similar market with usually unwarranted higher prices, or try to meet a price point to be favorable to large departments, agencies, and consumers comparing cost and savings.
Hunting loads are intended to actually be used to dispatch an animal humanely. They as a result use standard or even higher velocity loads with standard or increased payload.
"Tactical" loads on the other hand use reduced payload, lower velocity, or both.
As a result tactical are easier to handle, just like using a smaller caliber gun would be, but they also perform ballistically like a smaller gun.
So if for example all you are going to run is "tactical" loads in a 12 gauge, you may be better served by simply using a 20 gauge that uses a similar load standard, but also handles better and is quicker to maneuver. Using "tactical" loads but pretending you are still using a 12 gauge is like sticking a smaller engine in the same vehicle and pretending it still can do the same things.
