What is your favorite deer bullet? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What is your favorite deer bullet? (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:47:33 AM EDT

I run a 243 - my gun is 13 for 13 and that includes three new hunters killing their first deer with it!!!

I love the Hornady Interlock bullet...

Just yesterday I shot a sweet buck at maybe 15 yards - classic broad side shot with a their 243 American Whitetail - got a exit....and he did not go 30 yards...

What is yours?

Red

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:49:20 AM EDT

[#1]

Nosler Partition 100gr. In 243

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:50:11 AM EDT

[#2]

If I hunted it would probably be some ~150 SP flavor in 30-06 with a Garand

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:51:15 AM EDT

[#3]

American whitetail as well

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:51:38 AM EDT

[#4]

I don’t have one. I’ve used several with good results depending on expected shot conditions. I really lean towards Nosler Accubonds though. I’ve shot a pile of them into game and they always either penetrate deep and look like the box says they should based on impact velocity, or they exit with a nice wound channel.

Too bad they’re unobtainable right now. I hoard my stash carefully.

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:51:51 AM EDT

[#5]

Whitetail? Anything from 223 on up.

I always chuckle at whitetail hunters talking about magnum cartridges and getting super specific on loads. They’re 150 pound critters. Not hard to bring down.

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:52:36 AM EDT

[#6]

There isn't really a bad option these days. Pretty much all of the various designs from the major manufacturers will get the job done reliably. You're better off making your decision based on price and availability.

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:53:13 AM EDT

[#7]

For deer I use a 30 cal Nosler ballistic tip 125 grain.

For elk I use a 7mm Nosler ballistic tip 140 grain

ETa: Caliber

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:56:41 AM EDT

[#8]

22 cal: 55gn SP (any)
30 cal: 125gn Speer TNT

Posted: 11/21/2022 10:59:21 AM EDT

[#9]

Hornady 165 grain FTX .355

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:01:50 AM EDT

[#10]

I use Barnes TTSX 55gr. solid copper projectiles for my .223 bolt gun. Our local deer are the size of a large Labrador retriever and I don’t have any trouble putting them down with the smaller caliber.

I use Hornady 129gr. Interlock SP’s for deer loads in 6.5CM if I’m hunting anywhere else with bigger deer. They’re pretty basic and far from being a high performance projectile but they still do their job just fine and I have a ton of them.

My whole family of Fudd deer hunters will look at me like “

” whenever I pull out a 22” .223 Rem to hunt deer with, and they’ll tell me I need to be using a .300 WBY MAG at minimum to kill deer ethically. THEY need a .300 WBY because most of them can’t shoot for shit and end up hitting them in the guts or somewhere else less than ideal. I’ve found that a good .223 bullet delivered to the vitals kills deer just as well as anything else.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:03:17 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nosler Partition 100gr. In 243

View Quote

This or 20ga 3/4 oz slugs

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:03:36 AM EDT

[#12]

Hornady AMAX TAP, .308 168gr. It's been money for me.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:04:15 AM EDT

[#13]

I've probably taken more with plain ol' Remington Core Lokts than anything else.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:04:21 AM EDT

[#14]

Attached File

Edit: it's a 140 grain soft point, and it used to only be 14 dollars a box at Academy for years. It's $37 now.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:04:37 AM EDT

[#15]

.270

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:06:21 AM EDT

[#16]

Depends on the caliber.
I really like tsx bullets for my .243
My favorite, and very expensive 30-06 loves Remington core loks. Elk, zebra, kudu, wild east, whitetail, it just hammers them.
My big bore rifles, cutting edge brass solids.
Penetration is measured in yards, not inches.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:06:49 AM EDT

[#17]

450 bushmaster.....

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:07:41 AM EDT

[#18]

In 243......85 gr tsx.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:08:09 AM EDT

[#19]

Barnes TSX 140gr 7mm

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:10:08 AM EDT

[#20]

7MM08 140 grain Core Lokt

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:10:13 AM EDT

[#21]

arrow

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:11:48 AM EDT

[#22]

Anything with a soft round nose.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:11:50 AM EDT

[#23]

.308win 150grn, pretty much any soft point bullet will do the job. Usually end up using Hornady, but I've used federal, Remington, Winchester, Barnes, they all kill them equally dead.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:12:01 AM EDT

[#24]

Sierra game king is my favorite deer bullet. I’ve used all from the 22 cal 65 gr up to 30cal 180’s. They’re all devastating on deer

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:12:25 AM EDT

[#25]

Hornady SST 150GR in 308
Nosler 130gr BT in 270WSM
Nosler 180gr Accubond in 300WSM

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:12:37 AM EDT

[#26]

I’m a long time Nosler fanboy.

Partitions for elk

Ballistic Tips for deer and antelope.

Factory success with Remington Power Points and Hornady Interbond.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:13:28 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Whitetail? Anything from 223 on up.

I always chuckle at whitetail hunters talking about magnum cartridges and getting super specific on loads. They’re 150 pound critters. Not hard to bring down.

View Quote

Yup.

Need some more data (only used it once) but I’ve been very pleased with the accuracy, BC, and terminal performance of badlands bulldozer II bullets.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:13:50 AM EDT

[#28]

twel gaje slerg.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:14:35 AM EDT

[#29]

20 gauge foster slug.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:15:27 AM EDT

[#30]

300 grain bolt with a 100 grain Montec G5 at the end.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:16:09 AM EDT

[#31]

Not just for deer, but for a long time I've had success with Partitions in different guns, but I switched to TTSX's and those work great as well.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:16:56 AM EDT

[#32]

I like a precise bullet that performs well terminally. So far that’s been the TMK, SGK, SST, Gold Dot, and Fusion. If I’m shooting handgun it’s HST. This year I used two .308 165gr SGKs and one 9mm 147gr HST. I also like the bullet to shoot close to zero with whatever I normally shoot. Gold Dots shoot close to 193, SGKs to SMKs, etc.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:16:57 AM EDT

[#33]

Just about any big game hunting bullet that will expand a little will do. But my favorite is the nosler accubond.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:18:18 AM EDT

[#34]

I have killed deer that didnt take a step with
30-30 170gr
270 180 gr
22mag 40gr
6.5 jesus 137 gr
9mm147gr
243 55gr

Deer dont require some magical bullet. Just hit them in the heart or head

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:20:53 AM EDT

[#35]

6.8 120 gr sst

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:21:00 AM EDT

[#36]

I am still on the same box for years now 168gr Winchester ballistic tip ammo .308. I have 14 rounds left and I am 5 for 6 and the one I do not count was a hit but after an extensive search I never found the deer. Searched for the remainder of the day about 6 hours + 3 into the night and the entire next day. Followed the blood trail over 2 other properties (yes I called and got permission from the owners) and traveled about 4 miles before the blood stopped and tracked to no avail.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:21:27 AM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
300 grain bolt with a 100 grain Montec G5 at the end.

View Quote

For Elk, 421 gr maxima red with a 125 gr G5 striker…also plan to get a Canadian bear with this from my bow next year.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:27:45 AM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Sierra game king is my favorite deer bullet. I’ve used all from the 22 cal 65 gr up to 30cal 180’s. They’re all devastating on deer

View Quote

I use the Game kings in my .308 and my 6.5 mm Swedish.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:29:41 AM EDT

[#39]

I tried the Hornady American Whitetail in my T3X 300WM.
Patterned like a shotgun.

My favorite deer bullet is Tac TX 110gr in my 300BLK.

Accubond 180s for the 300WM.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:34:01 AM EDT

[#40]

2140 Sierra Gameking. 165gr HPBT. Not bonded but for deer not really an issue.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:34:35 AM EDT

[#41]

Whatever is available and shoots reasonably well.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:48:30 AM EDT

[#42]

.450 Bushmaster factory Hornady or 180gr Core Lokt in .30-06 if bear season is still in while I'm deer hunting. Or if bear isn't still in I like 150gr Core Lokt.

I have a bunch of Core Lokt that I bought years ago and only tend to use 2 rounds a year. One to make sure the rifle is still sighted in and one to shoot a deer. It'll be a long time before I use it all up. My kids will likely inherit a bunch.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:56:00 AM EDT

[#43]

I shoot a 130gr Barnes TTSX out of a Kimber 84m in .308 with a 22" barrel. TAC powder.
It chronos a little over 3100 fps for me, but is light recoiling.

Breaks shoulders, and plants deer.

Posted: 11/21/2022 11:59:03 AM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

For Elk, 421 gr maxima red with a 125 gr G5 striker…also plan to get a Canadian bear with this from my bow next year.

View Quote

Posted: 11/21/2022 12:04:56 PM EDT

[#45]

Another vote for Core Lokt bullets (2700-3000FPS) never tried them in anything faster. I can never find just the bullets, only loaded rounds, so I end up using Sierra Game Kings BTSP more often.

Posted: 11/21/2022 12:05:27 PM EDT

[#46]

As long as I’m hunting within 150 yards, Corelokt’s have always done everything asked.

If our west hunting further, I’m going to start paying more attention to accuracy and velocity thresholds.

So, white tail down east, core-lokts.

Black tail in California with the possibility of taking king shots and where I may get to fill a bear tag and also have to shoot monos…. Barnes LRX and hope I have enough velocity left over to reliably expand.

Posted: 11/21/2022 12:12:41 PM EDT

[#47]

It depends, for my long range stuff its the 230 Berger HT, for up closer stuff I have some 200 barnes LRX loaded up, I have had great luck and have a good stock of bullets from 208 amax, 180 barnes, 180/165 sciroccos, 245 Berger EOL, 215 VLD, I would have to go dig there to remember what else I have sitting in the cabinet, all these are 30 cal...Gotta have 2 dozen different bullets I can load for the 30 cal stuff....