Favorite Hunting Bullets (especially reloaders)

[bigmyk2k]

So, I have been a pheasant hunter all my life, but am working on branching out into waterfowl, and Elk/Deer.

With regard to the latter two, and since this coincides with my entry into metallic reloading, I am curious about ya'lls opinions on the best bigger game bullets out there.

Currently I am only doing .308, but will probably eventually get into larger calibers too (300 and/or 338 Win Mag, etc), so lay it on me.

Also, I know that Colorado regs require 6mm or larger, and 1000ft/lb of energy at 100yd, but I want to know what really does the job, as that doesn't really eliminate any .308 bullet.

Feel free to include pictures or links!

[Herman]

Placement is much more important than type of bullet. Go shoot the snot out of your 308 and find out which bullet you like best.

[losttrail]

Placement is much more important than type of bullet. Go shoot the snot out of your 308 and find out which bullet you like best.

Amen to this. I've taken two elk, one bull @ 175 yards, one cow @ 110 yards with a .243 using 100gr BTSP in the past. Single shot for each.

For my .308 I've been using Hornady Interlock BTSP #3033 at 150gr on top of 44gr of Hodgdon H4895. These have given excellent expansion, weight retention and devastating results out to about 400 yards (furthest I've put anything down with this load.)

Lately I've started loading some Hornady SST 150gr #30302 again on top of 44gr of H4895. I have not had a chance to shoot anything but paper but the accuracy has improved about 15% over the Interlock. I was keeping about 2.750" at 200 yards and that has dropped to about 2.375".

I'm shooting out of a Howa 1500 stainless with a Bushnell Elite 3200, 3-9 x 50. I think I can dial this thing in even better once I get a chance to shoot more.

My .30-06 I've been using Hornady Interlock BTSP in 150, 165 and 180gr for years, but am starting to load the SST in those same weights. Again, have not had a chance to shoot anything but paper with the SST's but have seen similar improvement in accuracy.

I'm also starting to transition my .270 to SST in 140gr.

My .243 I will probably leave with the Hornady Interlock BTSP at 100gr since it is a tack driving fiend. Why change what isn't broken.

[birddog]

Barnes TTSX for rifle. Had pretty good luck with Winchester Blindside for waterfowl so far but to be honest haven't shot a lot of it and I do think its over priced.

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

[bigmyk2k]

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

Nice.

[mcsurveyer1361]

Barnes TTSX for rifle. Had pretty good luck with Winchester Blindside for waterfowl so far but to be honest haven't shot a lot of it and I do think its over priced.

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

I hate blindside waste of money IMO. But if your gonna pay a bit extra for waterfowl i do like to use Black cloud. as far as rifle i like nosler balistic tip. But have wanted to try the TTSX by Barnes. Going to reload some of those for elk this year.

[Icecoldviper]

I hate blindside waste of money IMO. But if your gonna pay a bit extra for waterfowl i do like to use Black cloud.

Ive not had any luck with either of these. Winchester has always left me with alot more wounded birds then anything. I bought a box of black cloud to try and never connected on anything with it. Pattern was probably to tight for decoying ducks? We've been hooked on KentFasteel & Heavy metal. Both me and my buddy shoot a Benelli M2. Remington Hypersonics have been good to Little bit more spendy then the Kents though.

[buckshotbarlow]

Ive not had any luck with either of these. Winchester has always left me with alot more wounded birds then anything. I bought a box of black cloud to try and never connected on anything with it. Pattern was probably to tight for decoying ducks? We've been hooked on KentFasteel & Heavy metal. Both me and my buddy shoot a Benelli M2. Remington Hypersonics have been good to Little bit more spendy then the Kents though.

My old man loves heavy metal also...and also use a m2, but in 20ga. Kents are his first shot...wait this is weird....I'm glad my dad doesn't use a computer...whew

[CO Hugh]

My friend swears by Barnes and while I haven't killed anything with a Barnes, they work very well. Go tipped about 165-168 grains for a 308.

[hawk1]

My friend swears by Barnes and while I haven't killed anything with a Barnes, they work very well. Go tipped about 165-168 grains for a 308.

^^^^^ to this