Best premium bullet

[Papabear55]

Just curious what everyone opinion is on the best premium bullet for hunting big game like elk and bigger

 

[K-man]

Ha! Talk about a wildfire topic?!! You looking to start a rumble? We have thousands of members, you will get at least a hundred different answers after 25 pages. You should probably narrow your topic to what game what size, where, etc. Good luck!

 

[mikecatt13]

This will get all sorts of responses, there are lots of quality options.

I'm planning my first safari so take this for what it is. As far as my 308, 28 nosler, 30-06, 270win and a couple others on north American game I've stuck with hornady (ELD-X and SST mostly) and its treated me very well.

For my .375HH and 470NE for plains game and softs I'll be using Swift A Frames in Africa. Solids I dunno yet

 

[Papabear55]

Ha! Talk about a wildfire topic?!! You looking to start a rumble? We have thousands of members, you will get at least a hundred different answers after 25 pages. You should probably narrow your topic to what game what size, where, etc. Good luck!

Haha i forgot to add elk size game and up. And i do enjoy stirring the pot

 

[Papabear55]

So far the only "premium " bullets ive used are nosler partitions (1 elk) woodleigh softs (1 grizz), barnes tsx (1 caribou) and hornady eldx (1 bou). Everything else ive ever shot has bern with cheap bullets

 

[meigsbucks]

What caliber? Does that include the big bears? Other than that to generalize, IMO, you can’t go wrong with Barnes TSX or Swift A/F. Nosler Partition’s and Accubonds and Swift Scirocco are viable options depending on caliber and game.

 

[matt85]

this is a pretty vague question... best bullet for what?

instead of giving a single one, ill list some of the top favorites:

- Swift A-frame
- Nosler Partition/Accubond
- Barnes TSX/TTSX/solids
- Woodleigh Weldcore/FMJ
- North Fork soft/solid
- Peregrine expanding bullets and solids

im sure there are others but these bullets are widely considered some of the best hunting bullets.

-matt

 

[matt85]

I wasnt directing it towards really any caliber in particular, but since you ask lets say any of the 30 thru 35 calibers. And yes we are including big bears. I've had decent luck with nosler partitions, woodleighs and tsx. Not sure if I'm missing out with other projectiles though

this is the 375+ cal section of the forum, if you want 30-35 you will need to post in a different section.

-matt

 

[Papabear55]

this is the 375+ cal section of the forum, if you want 30-35 you will need to post in a different section.

-matt

I mesnt to put that in my other post
Im about to delete both and start from scratch if i can, my question was a touch to broad

 

[BnC 04]

Might suggest utilizing the search function. Lots of in-depth threads with just as many opinions on what's "best" and why.

 

[Papabear55]

Alrighty, i cant figure out how to delete this thread so I'll just rephrase my question here like this. Between nosler partitions, barnes tsx/ttsx, swift a frames and woodleigh softs (pp or sp), what would you choose for your everything bullet. Elk on up to buffalo

 

[BeeMaa]

A bullet like the Swift A-Frame or Norma Oryx is what I would consider a premium soft or expanding bullet.
There are also mono metal expanding bullets that are in the premium catagory like the Barnes TSX/TTSX.
IMO - the Nosler Partition is not a premium bullet, at least not anymore.
It was groundbreaking in 1948, but now there are much better options available than a cup-and-core.

I will choose SAF's all day, everyday for everything that requires a soft as long as it shoots well in my rifle.
Combine it with a 375 or 416 caliber and you are ready to hunt the world from Rabbit to Rhino.

 

[PARA45]

I am a big fan of Nosler Accubonds. That is what I loaded in 300 Weatherby & 30-06 when I took both rifles to Africa to hunt plains game.

But, I believe the most important factor is which bullets shoots accurately out your rifle.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Theoretically (not by experience) I would say Trophy Bonded Bear Claw design wise is the theoretical best. Accurate, front weighted, and solid mono metal tail are the best attributes, JMO. That suggestion then would indicate anything with similar design such as North Fork would be similar. Then followed with a bit of variant, the Swift A-frame. History shows the Swift as a top performer, though it has failed at times as do all.

A rear end shot on an escaping wounded Cape buffalo where you have a long distance before you reach the vitals is way different from a perpendicular to body heart/lung shot where you need a bullet strong enough to punch through, but soft enough up front to expand within the first few inches.

Where you put the bullet is at least as important as what the bullet is. JMO

Best of luck determining which is best for what situation. Lots of variables species to species.

 

[mikecatt13]

Alrighty, i cant figure out how to delete this thread so I'll just rephrase my question here like this. Between nosler partitions, barnes tsx/ttsx, swift a frames and woodleigh softs (pp or sp), what would you choose for your everything bullet. Elk on up to buffalo

Barnes makes quality stuff, but just a look through the bullet performance database thread on here is enough for me to opt for the A Frames over TSX. No bullets will have a perfect record, but there are quite a few TSX/TTSX that (while apparently having downed the animal reasonably) didnt expand much if at all. Not what I want out of an expanding bullet type.

Partitions dont seem to retain weight like others, I'm far from a ballistic expert but i want that bullet to expand, stay together, and penetrate to do as much damage as possible its whole path

Guess we will see...hopefully.

I intend to use something like an accubond or scirocco on leopard, should I get the chance due to the small body cavity (need fast expansion and energy transfer) and thin skin compared to many antelope species

 

[Newboomer]

Barnes TSX for all calibers with appropriate bullet weights for game hunted.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Papabear55, BallisticStudies.com is an interesting read from a man who has tons of studies on plains type game (including bovine) which is quite different than dangerous game.
Still, you need to determine for yourself what works for you in your situation. We all have our own experiences and opinions.

 

[Dr Ray]

Woodleigh Bullets - softs and hydros depending on the target

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Barnes and North Fork

 

[fourfive8]

Many good ones now. Not that many years ago not so many. I'd have to list more than one. Going from expanding to less expanding to penetrating.

Swift A Frame, the late but hopefully to be re-introduced soon- North Fork Bonded Softpoint SS, Barnes TSX, North Fork Cup Point Solid CPS, GS Custom Flat Point Solid.