Do you need premium bullets/ammo for hunting?

[sns2]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

I could report you for breaking forum rules. You do remember the rules don't you?

In case you forgot;

You have a number of times. Why stop now?

Now back to bullet performance...

Have you ever personally used a monometal or bonded bullet on moose or elk?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by huntwat

The next WWE cage match to determine the winner between former moderators!!! LOL

Careful, you could get reported for hurting someone's feelings.


Back to bullets, I choose a bullet based on the worst possible situation, because you don't always get the ideal shot presentation. Cup and core bullets have killed millions of head of game, so have all lead bullets, and so have lead round balls, but why not use the bullet that provides the best possible odds of a clean kill?

[leo]

I’m getting complaints about a few of you derailing and arguing over who’s got the biggest “hooyoo” . Take it to PM or I’ll give about 3 of you a holiday.

[fishtank]

all me shots been under 200yds and 100% success rate, tikka 270win , federal fusion 130 gr .

[Jim Blake]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

Wonder why the Hornady GMX gets no mention on this thread.?

Here is a pic of two GMX's upon recovery. The one on the left is from one of the Wife's Elk and the one on the right is from a Moose. 7mm-08

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Jim Blake

Here is a pic of two GMX's upon recovery. The one on the left is from one of the Wife's Elk and the one on the right is from a Moose. 7mm-08

Jim, what range were those animals shot at?

[Jim Blake]

Originally Posted by sns2

Jim, what range were those animals shot at?

The elk was at 175yd. and the moose 220yd. Both recovered in the hide on the opposite side of the entry.

This year she shot a cow moose this year at 240 and it was a pass through.

Edit: Both are factory ammo.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

Wonder why the Hornady GMX gets no mention on this thread.?

I tried them in two rifles, I found that they produced more fouling and just weren't as accurate in my rifles as the TTSX.

[cowmanbob]

I have only used the 130 grain in the 270 with good results. Seems to me they open up a bit easier than the Barnes.

[kingrat]

Aren't they basically a barnes without the famous x petals.

[JBE]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I tried them in two rifles, I found that they produced more fouling and just weren't as accurate in my rifles as the TTSX.

ok, I was going to ask how hard they were to load for for accuracy?

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by leo

I’m getting complaints about a few of you derailing and arguing over who’s got the biggest “hooyoo” . Take it to PM or I’ll give about 3 of you a holiday.

Members have actually complained about posts on this thread? Society it getting softer by the day

[Andrzej]

this is GMX at 100 y going through plywood



This is TSX




TTSX for me.

[Jim Blake]

Using the factory ammo we have had no issues with fouling or accuracy. Every kill has been a one shot kill. We usually don't shoot boxes of shells though...rather usually 4 to sight in and then the kill shot. We're happy with them.

[mediumrare]

Have had good luck with factory gmx in 308 as well.nothing has gone very far yet.open up pretty well ime.shots under 200 yds mostly

[KegRiver]

I see some good arguments for why using controlled expansion bullets is a good idea but none for why they need to use them.

I don't see controlled expansion bullets on store shelves here very often. And when I do it is generally for a cartridge I do not use.

For others cost may be too high. It's not everyone who has the means to buy the latest fad in rifles and ammo.
I'm one of those. I hunt with a forty year old rifle and a 70 year old shotgun.

The question was " do you need premium ammo, the answer is no you don't.

And no, I did not report anyone on this thread. But I should have, since I will now be blamed for it.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by kingrat

Aren't they basically a barnes without the famous x petals.

Less grooves on the shank, so more bearing area, and they are a different alloy. So same basic idea, but with some differences.

[huntwat]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

The question was " do you need premium ammo, the answer is no you don't.

.

Read above.

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by harv3589

Do you really need to spend the extra money for a premium bullet/ammo for hunting? Or would the cheap ones work just as good and leave money in your pocket? I’ve always used a premium bullet but maybe that’s just a waste....

I only shoot up to 400 yards, so does that extra money give me any advantage?

I would say NO,

In your case 400 yds , about any bullet matched with the caliber and in a proper weight will get it done no problems.

Barnes TSXs are famous for their penetration , but they may fail you if you will decide to shoot them too far , they may not open up on the animal if you don't keep the speed above the manufacture recommendations.
Hornady ELDs, Bergers and Sierras tipped bullets would be ideal at longer ranges since they were designed that way, and I personally would call them "premium" for that instance.
Bonded Accubonds and Interbonds along with Partitions would not give you the best long range performance due to the luck of accuracy , but they would definitely be a better choice if you have to shoot with a high velocity cartridge at a closer range at a big animal like moose /elk.

S12

[Bergerboy]

I do not own big game cartridges that break the 3000fps wall so excessive velocity is not a concern for me. My 6.5 X 284 is loaded with 140gr Bergers and is used primarily on deer even though I have taken a moose with this setup. Its accurate and produces giggle worthy bang flops. The moose kill was quite impressive as well.
For game larger than deer, I have 150gr Accubonds loaded in a 280AI as if a shoulder or other hardware is encountered, I have more confidence in sufficient penetration.
If I had to choose a "one and done" it would be the Accubond. Over penetration is always more desirable than under penetration.

[DiabeticKripple]

Only on AO would a thread about bullets turn into a pizzing match.

I shoot TTSX’s. They work when used as intended. Know the limitations and you won’t have problems.

They offer the chance at taking a shot I wouldn’t take with a standard C&C bullet. Hard quartering to ona moose or elk I wouldn’t chance with a C&C, but with a bonded or mono I would.

The premium bullets I have tested have been just as accurate as the cheap C&C’s, so the accuracy point is out the window.

A premium bullet will get the job done when a C&C can’t, and that is a fact.

Perfect conditions anything will work, but when the animal turns as you shoot, you would be glad to be shooting something stouter and designed to penetrate.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

Only on AO would a thread about bullets turn into a pizzing match.

I shoot TTSX’s. They work when used as intended. Know the limitations and you won’t have problems.

They offer the chance at taking a shot I wouldn’t take with a standard C&C bullet. Hard quartering to ona moose or elk I wouldn’t chance with a C&C, but with a bonded or mono I would.

The premium bullets I have tested have been just as accurate as the cheap C&C’s, so the accuracy point is out the window.

A premium bullet will get the job done when a C&C can’t, and that is a fact.

Perfect conditions anything will work, but when the animal turns as you shoot, you would be glad to be shooting something stouter and designed to penetrate.

OK, enough facts already. Would you kindly explain exactly what the difference is, with examples, between a C&C bullet, a bonded C&C bullet, a Mono and a "premium" bullet. It's getting confusing.

[EdmontonEli]

I would say yes. Cause "premium ammo" are more tightly controlled in terms of assembly. I.e. More consistent brass, powder charge, bullet depth, bullet shape, and etc.

Good example is a shooting a 30$ box of federal flat nose vs. 80$ box of nosler green plastic tip in a CZ 24 Mauser.

The 30$ flat nose makes an erratic grouping (3"-4" grouping at 100M), while the 80$ nosler green plastic tip made a very tight grouping (0.5" grouping at 100M)

The difference in grouping makes a difference how much error you can make while hunting and how far you're allowed to shoot as well.

Just my opinion though.

[DiabeticKripple]

Originally Posted by Salavee

OK, enough facts already. Would you kindly explain exactly what the difference is, with examples, between a C&C bullet, a bonded C&C bullet, a Mono and a "premium" bullet. It's getting confusing.

You already know the answer to this.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

You already know the answer to this.

I just think I do. Your factual remark on your post got me to re- thinking.

[cody j]

If I could ask my Grandfather he would say no But elk are much tougher now than back in his day. A better question would be are premium bullets better, rather than do you need premium bullets. People who kill elk with pointy sticks must find these discussions amusing

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by cody j

People who kill elk with pointy sticks must find these discussions amusing

Geez, now you are gonna get the thread started about premium broadheads

[Bergerboy]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

Geez, now you are gonna get the thread started about premium broadheads

Fixed blades, never mechanical.

[cody j]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

Geez, now you are gonna get the thread started about premium broadheads

You made me laugh that’s hilarious

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by cody j

A better question would be are premium bullets better,

If that were the question, I would say yes, in my opinion they are.