Favorite Hunting Bullets (especially reloaders)

[bigmyk2k]

Lead is best for waterfowl but............

Nice.

[Tora]

.... and they can be a bit annoying to find loading data for them.....

You can get load data from Barnes. You can get it from, http://www.barnesbullets.com/information/load-data/ or just call them.

[tmjohnson]

Speer 165 grain Soft Point Boat Tail on top of a 308 always did the trick for me.
Nosler partitions are also good but pricey.

[blm28]

I have had good luck with Nosler Accu bond in several different calibers.

[TCUDiving]

I have had good luck with several different bullets out there. As mentioned by someone already, I also liked the Barnes Triple Shock. However, I recently found the Berger bullets while shooting the HSM ammunition and have switched all my rifles to Bergers. They have great energy, velocity, and are very accurate out of my .300 Weatherby, .30-06, and .264 Win Mag. With all that being said, good luck in your search!

[SA Friday]

Partitions and Accubonds. Once in a while, a gun just won't shot the Barnes bullets. I have one or two like that. They all shoot the Noslers. If you are using it for Africa or strictly for big nasty critters like elk, moose, and bear, just about every guide I've ever talked to recommends the Swift A-Frame. They work just like the partitions, but the front lead is bonded to the jacket as the partitions are not. They work every time and don't lose weight.

Good hunting bullets are more expensive than than deer bullets, but it's not like you are going to burn through them like Sierra Matchkings. The extra money is worth it. Do some research on the hunting/reloading forums out there and find out what others are using as recipes with whatever bullet and caliber you are using. It will help narrow down powder selection and specs. You still have to work up the load, but it really narrows down the choices.

[Troublco]

I have one hunting load for anything from Antelope to Elk - using 165 grain Sierra GameKing hollowpoints in a .308, at about 2550 fps at the muzzle. I've used it for a nice cow elk at 325 yards, an antelope at 520 yards, and so on. It isn't the latest, or greatest, or fancy, but if I put it in the right place it has worked every time for me.

[encorehunter]

I have shot several elk with a 25-06 with Accubond bullets, ranging from 20-350 yards. I only shot one twice, and she didn't need it. As said before, placement is everything, but a decent bullet is still good insurance.

[wrestler034]

encorehunter,
What kind of performance were you getting with the accubonds? Did you get complete penetration of the animal in most cases? I am torn between them and the 100gr ttsx. I am also considering the 120gr partition.

[encorehunter]

encorehunter,
What kind of performance were you getting with the accubonds? Did you get complete penetration of the animal in most cases? I am torn between them and the 100gr ttsx. I am also considering the 120gr partition.

The one white tail buck I shot, I got complete penetration from a frontal shot out through the rear ham. It was a 220lb buck, and it tore up a lot of meat. Of all 7 elk I have shot, only one complete pass through. Six of the elk dropped in their tracks. Shot placement was behind front shoulder and shattering opposite shoulder, all of the bullets were stuck in the skin on the opposite side. The seventh and last elk was shot at around 20 yards (may have been closer), quartering to me. The first shot was a complete through and through, never hitting any bones. She stood there, so I shot her again. She walked about 15 yards and fell over. The second shot hit ribs on both sides, the bullet was stuck in skin on opposite side.
Do NOT use ballistic tips on elk. I made the mistake once and I am still regretting it. I tracked the elk for about 4.5 miles and never found her. I found lung fragments close to where I shot her, but she kept going and going. Bullet choice is still important, though maybe not as important as shot placement.