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JerryBobCo
Senior MemberPosts: 8,227 Senior Member
Where do you draw the line between premium and non-premium bullets
JerryBobCo
Senior MemberPosts: 8,227 Senior Member
Back in the days, there was the Nosler Partition. It was the end-all as far as performance on tough game was concerned. Some reports I read stated that it was not an accurate bullet, but it could sure put something on its butt.
Since then, bullet technology has advanced to the point that I don't even know if the partition is considered a premium bullet. So, where do you draw the line? What bullets do you consider premium, and which ones are not so?
Since then, bullet technology has advanced to the point that I don't even know if the partition is considered a premium bullet. So, where do you draw the line? What bullets do you consider premium, and which ones are not so?
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Replies
Depending on the game if I wanted super premium with expansion and penetration it would be bear claws or A-Frames
I pick a bullet for the game chosen, and the distance parameters.
Some bullets that I would consider "premium" for one animal I wouldn't for another.
There are some bullets I would use on deer/antelope sized game that I wouldn't use for for bigger game or dangerous game
Some bullets were not designed to be "hunting" bullets but later were realized they did a great job.
Some guys want their bullet to exit every-time and retain 90% of its weight, where another hunter wants the bullet to adequately penetrate and then wreck the vitals.
The Partition fulfilled both purposes to some degree--1st part of the bullet highly frangible, back part penetrate deeply
I believe there are bullets that would be considered premium for both types, but they are truly different designs.
"The Un-Tactical"
When the AR-10 comes online and I start playing at long range, maybe I'll try some premium ammo. But not at this point
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
I think that it's a marketing thing. Bullet manufacturers have made great progress, but do average hunters really need anything other than the bullets that have sufficed for decades?
I realize that newly developed controlled expanding bullets used on dangerous game are a breakthrough, but the old Remington Corelok or the Bronzepoint did the job on thousands of game animals.
Bullet placement, as always, is the key.
Any bullet, made by a reputable company, matched to the intended game will do the job.
Jim
Having said that and not being an elk hunter. YET! When I do go to the great white north in search of the illusive Wapity, I will break down and purchase some more formidable pills for thast purpose, although some people have told me that I could get away with using my trusty Interlocks and Game Kings or even a lowly prohunter and have success.
Seriously, I believe you guys when you tell me a better bullet is needed to penetrate the thicker layers of hide and muscle on an elk. It's just that having only hunted whitetail and hogs, I have on the few occasions I used premium ammo had bad luck with it failing to expand. So I am reluctant to use tougher bullets, even though better judgment tells me to.
But I will have some form of premium bullet loaded for each rifle I bring to Colorado this fall.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
:that:This is what keeps haunting me. It just wreaks of common sense. It's hard to argue with success, no matter what the technicle argument dictates.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
:that: And this! After reading these last two posts by Airedale and Ernie, I'm getting iffy over my bullet choices for the elk hunt. Both these guys make a lot of sense.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
I'd still consider the Partition as a premium bullet, personally. A target bullet or varmint design type bullet used for big game? Not a premium. Yes, some advanced technology went into them, but NOT for hunting, for ballistics. It just happens to be that they can work pretty good as a hunting bullet in the right platform and intended targets.
For me, I'll look to go above the Core-Lokt/Fusion lines if I'm planning to hunt something tough, in an area where I think I'll have to shoot long ranges, or if I'm using a light caliber for the game in question. I've never killed a deer with a handgun, but I've handgun hunted a bit and I've always gone with with Nosler's in .44 or .357 Magnum for deer, because I figure handgun bullets need all the help they can get. With a 30-06, not so much. Price and availability also play a big factor for me, I shoot a lot of Accubonds in .308 because my local Bass Pro Shops generaly always has them.
Step up to Elk, Moose, Black Bear, and I would prefer a premium bullet with Barnes TSX being my favorite.
I am talking 30-06 of course.
I've killed a number of whitetails with my Ruger Super Blackhawk with plain old factory Remington 240 grain hollowpoints, limiting myself to 40 yards with iron sights.
Jim