Hornady Match Grade ammo

[Bourbon Outdoorsman]

I know the hornady match grade ammo is marketed for target/competition shooting. But has anyone ever used it for hunting? Would it mushroom the same or close to a hunting round?

[b_doornenbal]

I would suggest you try google, lots of good information there.

Personally use 208BTHP’s in my 300wsm and killed elk and moose from various ranges with similar performance to my Berger Hunting’s

[32-40win]

For myself, I wouldn't on big game, but, many do apparently, have a look and decide for yourself

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWz...Spv08sA/videos

[marky_mark]

I’ve used eldm’s with mixed results
Had better luck with bergers even though they have similar construction

They work good for some, but I know of a few that haven’t penetrated as far as most would have liked

[AI 6.5]

They are not designed for game but people still use them with mixed results. You can also hammer a nail with a screwdriver but doesn't mean it's the best tool for the job. Just my opinion.

[elkhunter11]

If you are going to use factory loads, why not just use the Precision Hunter? The first three groups out of my 6.5PRC with the Precision Hunter averaged .355" at 100m.

[b_doornenbal]

I think the biggest thing to consider is what performance you want out of your bullet. Understand the difference in how a match grade or Berger type bullet will perform to a copper bullet. Also shot placement, don’t put a match bullet through the shoulder blades of a moose at 100 yards and expect full penetration.

We are fortunate that there is lots of great options for bullets out there.

[Dick284]

Mixed results, has been mentioned more than a couple of times.
That would be all I’d need to decide upon something else.

[b_doornenbal]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Mixed results, has been mentioned more than a couple of times.
That would be all I’d need to decide upon something else.

You will also find mixed results for copper bullets at long range …. There is not one bullet that does everything well. They all have limitations.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by b_doornenbal

You will also find mixed results for copper bullets at long range …. There is not one bullet that does everything well. They all have limitations.

Mixed results are not equal across the board. Use a bullet designed for taking game when the objective is taking game. There are a lot of bullets better at this than others. Use them.

[antmai]

I believe that I read somewhere that fmj or otm were not allowed to take game here, but it may be out of context. OTM can be argued that it is a hollow point bullet.

[brewster29]

An ethical Hunter should be using the best bullet for the job.

I place a high value on penetration and controlled expansion for my hunting bullets. I have seen well over 60 bull elk kills up close, and monitored bullet performance of each one. As a younger man I began using Partition bullets, then bonded, and now mono metals based on the various failures to penetrate adequately I observed with some other less expensive bullets.

Match bullets and some Berger bullets are designed with very thin jackets because it's easier to draw them into long pointy shapes, and easier to make them concentric and thus more accurate. This also means they won't penetrate well at higher velocities. There's a reason the same manufacturers make hunting ammo. A small gain in BC is not worth the risk of wounded or lost game.

[Dean2]

One more vote for NOT using match bullets to shoot game.

[silvertip]

Why would you want to use something that wasn't
designed or engineered for dispatching a animal.

They have bullets designed for such a application

Ethical shots are to be taken,
with thought in mind for the animal to be
dispatched as quickly as possible

always thought that this is how its supposed to be done

[Dean2]

II really wish the whole "ethical" bit would get dropped from posts on hunting. To some baiting is ethical, to others not, for some baiting bear is ethical, baiting deer is not. Here shooting from a vehicle is illegal, Texas it isn't. Lets try to stick to advising on what we think works best, and sticking to what is legal or not in our area. What I think is ethical has no bearing on what someone else thinks it is.

[Nova316]

It would also depend on the animal your hunting, a deer should be no problem but you may run into problems if you hit bone on an Elk or Moose since the jackets are so much thinner. I have a buddy who uses ELDM on a WT and it punched a good hole through the ribs and out the otherside.

[Bourbon Outdoorsman]

If I did use the match grade ammo, Application would be With My M1 Garand and 168gr hornady match grade M1 ammo.

And ethical hunting is a subjective discussion, I believe anyone who hunts with a Bow, is an unethical hunter. But that’s a matter of opinion

[Mavrick]

I was given a few boxes of these for my 6.5C. They knock yotes down. I don't hunt big game with them and wouldn't. Just me.

[SouthWestRanger]

Killed a red stag with the eldms in Spain this year, longer range than I normally hunt which was why I used them but in general I’m not convinced I’m a fan. I’ll be trying accubond long ranges and eldx going forward for long range applications and stick to a frames and accubonds at standard ranges

[Tronneroi]

Why not try the ELDX?

[Bourbon Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Why not try the ELDX?

I plan to hunt this winter with my M1 Garand, it’s the ammo I have abundant of. I could install an aftermarket Gas plug and shoot regular ammo if need be

[aardvaark]

Originally Posted by brewster29

An ethical Hunter should be using the best bullet for the job.

I place a high value on penetration and controlled expansion for my hunting bullets. I have seen well over 60 bull elk kills up close, and monitored bullet performance of each one. As a younger man I began using Partition bullets, then bonded, and now mono metals based on the various failures to penetrate adequately I observed with some other less expensive bullets.

Match bullets and some Berger bullets are designed with very thin jackets because it's easier to draw them into long pointy shapes, and easier to make them concentric and thus more accurate. This also means they won't penetrate well at higher velocities. There's a reason the same manufacturers make hunting ammo. A small gain in BC is not worth the risk of wounded or lost game.

I agree with the above. Our game deserves to be treated with honour and respect. The least we can do is to dispatch them as effectively as we can. Keep target bullets where they belong and where they work best. Use only bullets that are designed for hunting.

[Mohawklax8]

Fragments pretty bad

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by Mohawklax8

Fragments pretty bad

I've never used the Eld-M On Game but I can vouch for the Eld-X .

[catnthehat]

I know a ton of people who use Lapua Secnars and ELDM'S as well as Bergers on animals every year and love them.
Lung shots turn everything in there to soup .
Personally speaking , I don't use them myself, but have loaded a truckfull cup and core hunting bullets .
The vast majority of My animals the last few years have been killed with Barnes TSX's however .
To each there own......
Cat

[ScottFitter]

Cat, why the TSX over the TTSX?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by ScottFitter

Cat, why the TSX over the TTSX?

Because Barnes only makes .311 bullets in the TSX! As far as I know Barnes is the only company making a monometal bullet for the .303
Cat

[ScottFitter]

Easiest answer ever I guess. LOL.

Given they made both available, why one over the other?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by ScottFitter

Easiest answer ever I guess. LOL.

Given they made both available, why one over the other?

No idea, I would have to try it if I could.
I have loaded tge TTSX in many different cartridges and shot fantastic groups with them in other rifles for others but never killed anything gvwith them that I can remember .
Cat