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Your favorite bullet for reloading
#8992872
01/23/24 06:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,951
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,951 |
What is your favorite bullet for reloading and why? I know. It's going to be different bullets for different situations.
For me, I like SST's in slower cartridges like 300BLK - 308 velocities. I think the 125 gr SST is about perfect in the 300BLK. Excellent expansion, excellent accuracy, and they are cheap. I like accubonds for anything faster, like 130 gr .270 win. For .357 Mag, I recently have gravitated to hard cast bullets. Missouri bullet 180gr WFN. I feel like I get better velocity and accuracy than I got with XTP's. Gonna try the same in coated bullets next. So what are some of your go-to's and why?
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992878
01/23/24 06:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,203
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,203 |
In no particular order:
Hornady ELD-X Hornady ELD-M Any Sierra Berger Hybrid Berger Classic Hunter Berger-VLD
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992949
01/23/24 07:45 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,205
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,205 |
the simple Hornady bthp match with my favorite being the 168gr. Mostly for the price. it was an excellent bullet for me in various calibers and weights. They all worked from good to a few really great loads so starting off with these felt like the bullet wasn't holding me back. I am now more aware of how good a good bullet is but I still like these alot.
I don't really hunt with anything I reloaded but other target bullets i like are the eld-m, berger vld (especially the 155 30 cal) and the 185 308 scenar. I'm looking forward to trying this 6.5mm 136 scenar-L.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992955
01/23/24 07:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,937
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,937 |
Nosler ballistic tip, accubond, 139gr Lapua Scenar.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992964
01/23/24 08:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239 |
I shoot hand guns the most and really like the cheap coated cast bullets. For hunting with a hand gun or for accuracy I like the Hornady XTP.
With rifles the 75gr Hornady open tip match in .223 is a favorite. I still love Amax bullets in all bore diameters but they have nearly gone away.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992970
01/23/24 08:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,568
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,568 |
Hunting nosler partition. Just shooting could be anything almost but had good luck with v-max NBT’ hornady btsp.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8992994
01/23/24 09:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281 |
The one that shoots dots and I can find without paying $1 a piece...
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993048
01/23/24 10:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160 |
For what I reload, I really like SSTs in my .243 (95gr) and .308 (150gr), and for the price, there's probably not a better bullet. For .357 Win, it's FTX, which looks a lot like an SST, but based on the specs, probably has a little more controlled expansion (but maybe not). For .223, it's 65gr Sierra GKs. For 6.8 SPC, I'm going with 90gr Gold Dots. I've recovered two of these from larger deer and they lost little to virtually no weight.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: J.G.]
#8993113
01/24/24 12:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,841
Hunter-Steve
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,841 |
In no particular order:
Hornady ELD-X Hornady ELD-M Any Sierra Berger Hybrid Berger Classic Hunter Berger-VLD Ditto for rifle shooting Hornady HAP/XTP for 9mm and 45
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993117
01/24/24 12:22 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,176
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,176 |
Hunting Nosler Ballistic Tip for most hunting. Accubond for tougher critters.
The new Speer Impact Bullets look promising.
Shooting Sierra TMKs or MKs
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993123
01/24/24 12:24 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,884
jlsbassman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,884 |
Hornady 6mm 105gr AMAX. Shoots like a dream out of my 243. No longer made but have 1600 in reserve.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993161
01/24/24 01:15 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,738
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,738 |
120 gr Nosler BTs in the 260. 130 gr Nosler BTs in the 270. 123 gr SSTs in the Grendel. 40 gr Nosler BTs in the 223 bolt gun. And at present 55 gr Hornadys in the AR, for plinking. 55 gr Nosler BTs and 55 gr Sierra GKs in the 220 Swift. Standard BBs in the Red Ryder.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: kry226]
#8993280
01/24/24 04:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,951
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,951 |
For what I reload, I really like SSTs in my .243 (95gr) and .308 (150gr), and for the price, there's probably not a better bullet. For .357 Win, it's FTX, which looks a lot like an SST, but based on the specs, probably has a little more controlled expansion (but maybe not). For .223, it's 65gr Sierra GKs. For 6.8 SPC, I'm going with 90gr Gold Dots. I've recovered two of these from larger deer and they lost little to virtually no weight. That's impressive. Might have to look at the game king in the future.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993284
01/24/24 05:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160 |
For what I reload, I really like SSTs in my .243 (95gr) and .308 (150gr), and for the price, there's probably not a better bullet. For .357 Win, it's FTX, which looks a lot like an SST, but based on the specs, probably has a little more controlled expansion (but maybe not). For .223, it's 65gr Sierra GKs. For 6.8 SPC, I'm going with 90gr Gold Dots. I've recovered two of these from larger deer and they lost little to virtually no weight. That's impressive. Might have to look at the game king in the future. Those in the pics are Gold Dots in .277, 90 gr, for the 6.8, sir.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993305
01/24/24 06:45 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239 |
You know what I never do? Weigh used bullets and judge their performance based on retained weight versus judging their performance on having a dead animal.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993347
01/24/24 12:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,943
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,943 |
The ones I make because they work well and are nearly free.
The few jacketed bullets I use are Sierra for .30-30 WIN (when I am not loading a Ranch Dog RNFP with PC and GC) and Hornady for the 5.56X45 NATO.
For target/practice in 9X19 and .45 AUTO, I use Berry's plated.
For self defense 9X19 and .45 AUTO, I use Hornady XTP.
Pass the gravy.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: blkt2]
#8993358
01/24/24 12:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,160 |
You know what I never do? Weigh used bullets and judge their performance based on retained weight versus judging their performance on having a dead animal. You know what I at least try to never do? Make a judgement about something without having all the facts. You do realize these were pulled from dead animals, right? But for posterity, here are a couple other potentially more important data points... accuracy and smiles. However, if you're a shooter/reloader who has no interest in understanding how your bullet actually performs on the intended target, potentially in terms of expansion and weight retention (just more pieces of the overall data set), then I have no words for you. As it is, it appears my bullet of choice is working exactly as designed and it is also doing what I want it to do. Not to shabby for a 12" barrel...
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: kry226]
#8993382
01/24/24 01:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239 |
I was poking fun of comments made in another thread where someone was complaining about SST bullets. I do realize you pulled those bullets from dead Critters. I don't worry about what bullets you use and I value learning from the experiences of others.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993447
01/24/24 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,033
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,033 |
My favorite bullet in the 6.8 is the 115 gr Speer GoldDot. When you can find them, the cost for a 100 bullets is about like 50 premium bullets. Why not practice & plink with what you like to shoot deer with. Weight retention is 99%. Great accuracy & penetration. There are .277 cal 130 gr component Speer GoldDots sold by Federal under the Fusion name. I've shot 4 deer with these in the 6.8 & they seem to perform like the 115 gr although I've never recovered one.
For the .270 Win I use Speer 130 gr HC flat base. I have shot a lifetime of deer with these so I'm not inclined to change. Note that the BT version of this bullet is not a HC & is "softer" so performs differently.
The North has double last names. The South has double first names.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993448
01/24/24 03:27 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,226
papa45
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,226 |
I select bullets based on a combination of accuracy, terminal performance, and price. If I could still afford them, I'd use Accubonds for everything. Currently, my favorite hunting bullets are:
.243, H 100 gr BTSP 7-08, N 120 BT, Sp 145 SP HotCor .270, H 140 BTSP, N 140 AB, N 150 Part .30-30, Sp 150 FP .30-06, N 150 Part .300 WM, N 165 AB, N 180 AB
Most loads are primarily for deer and hogs and some long-range steel. The .300 is primarily for elk.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993480
01/24/24 04:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,023
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,023 |
6.5 breedmore 143 eldx
.223 65gr sgk's
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: papa45]
#8993530
01/24/24 05:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,205
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,205 |
I select bullets based on a combination of accuracy, terminal performance, and price. If I could still afford them, I'd use Accubonds for everything. Currently, my favorite hunting bullets are:
.243, H 100 gr BTSP 7-08, N 120 BT, Sp 145 SP HotCor .270, H 140 BTSP, N 140 AB, N 150 Part .30-30, Sp 150 FP .30-06, N 150 Part .300 WM, N 165 AB, N 180 AB
Most loads are primarily for deer and hogs and some long-range steel. The .300 is primarily for elk.
You have everything around the 308, but no actuall 308. I'm kinda butt hurt here, on behalf of all 308 fanboys.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: unclebubba]
#8993606
01/24/24 07:08 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,205
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,205 |
Narrowing down to favorite is tough. For hand guns and lever guns it is an assortment of cast. I get a kick out of loading and shooting as well as tweaking terminal performance of the bullets I cast myself.
I stock my bench with an assortment of jacketed Bullets. Hornady, Sierra, Speer, & Nosler. If I had to nub those down to one favorite it would probably be Sierra Gamekings.
Last edited by Smokey Bear; 01/24/24 07:09 PM.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Your favorite bullet for reloading
[Re: Smokey Bear]
#8993944
01/25/24 12:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,943
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,943 |
Narrowing down to favorite is tough. For hand guns and lever guns it is an assortment of cast. I get a kick out of loading and shooting as well as tweaking terminal performance of the bullets I cast myself.
I stock my bench with an assortment of jacketed Bullets. Hornady, Sierra, Speer, & Nosler. If I had to nub those down to one favorite it would probably be Sierra Gamekings. Pretty much the same as me above.
Pass the gravy.
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