The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Hunting bullet of choice for deer

jmr40 · December 18, 2012, 06:45 PM

The Accubond is a great bullet in any caliber. It combines the penetration of the Partition with the BC of the Ballistic Tip. But for deer at under 100 yards, almost anything is going to be more than adequate and a lot cheaper.

Another premium bullet that gets lots of good reviews is the Barnes TTSX. The secret to using them is to drop down in bullet weight and shoot them fast. You need at least 3000 fps at the muzzle and 2000- 2200 fps or so at impact. Slower than that and you don't get enough expansion and they behave like a FMJ. The lighter bullets retain almost 100% of their weight no matter how fast you shoot them and they penetrate much deeper than a conventional bullet of the same weight. I'm shooting 130 gr bullets in my 308 at 3050 fps., 150's out of my 30-06 at the same speed. They will penetrate and expand like a 180 out of a 300 magnum.

Accubonds and Barnes bullets in .30 caliber are around $30-$32 for 50 bullets. I can get Hornady interlock bullets $25-$26 for 100 bullets. I have no problems with using the standard cheaper bullets for whitetail here in GA, even at 300+ yards. I bought the Accubonds and Barnes to work up a load for an elk hunt where I might have to shoot at a much larger animal at longer ranges.

December 18, 2012, 06:45 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	The Accubond is a great bullet in any caliber. It combines the penetration of the Partition with the BC of the Ballistic Tip. But for deer at under 100 yards, almost anything is going to be more than adequate and a lot cheaper. Another premium bullet that gets lots of good reviews is the Barnes TTSX. The secret to using them is to drop down in bullet weight and shoot them fast. You need at least 3000 fps at the muzzle and 2000- 2200 fps or so at impact. Slower than that and you don't get enough expansion and they behave like a FMJ. The lighter bullets retain almost 100% of their weight no matter how fast you shoot them and they penetrate much deeper than a conventional bullet of the same weight. I'm shooting 130 gr bullets in my 308 at 3050 fps., 150's out of my 30-06 at the same speed. They will penetrate and expand like a 180 out of a 300 magnum. Accubonds and Barnes bullets in .30 caliber are around $30-$32 for 50 bullets. I can get Hornady interlock bullets $25-$26 for 100 bullets. I have no problems with using the standard cheaper bullets for whitetail here in GA, even at 300+ yards. I bought the Accubonds and Barnes to work up a load for an elk hunt where I might have to shoot at a much larger animal at longer ranges.