Premium bullets needed for PG?

[SStomcat]

I’ve been wondering if a premium soft bullet like A frame, Northfork SS has a significant advantage over other SS. Now this is with respect to all PG big and small and not to be mixed up with DG

 

[375Fox]

In my opinion yes. Bonded bullets give predictable performance and penetration on bone on shoulder shots on eland, kudu, zebra, and larger PG. You are giving up some performance on smaller game like springbok, impala, duiker where premium bullets don’t expand as well, but I’d take predictable performance over bullets that have opportunity to fragment and give varying results. The vitals on African game are further forward than North American game and correct shot placement is on the shoulder not behind the shoulder.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

In my opinion yes. Bonded bullets give predictable performance and penetration on bone on shoulder shots on eland, kudu, zebra, and larger PG. You are giving up some performance on smaller game like springbok, impala, duiker where premium bullets don’t expand as well, but I’d take predictable performance over bullets that have opportunity to fragment and give varying results. The vitals on African game are further forward than North American game and correct shot placement is on the shoulder not behind the shoulder.

I think 375Fox has it exactly right. I took 200 grain AccuBonds for my .300 Win Mag on.my last trip. All bullets passed through and the animals all did the "bang flop" or took just a couple of steps. The PG ranged from a small impala ewe up through a big waterbuck bull. If I had wanted another zebra or an eland, the bullets would have been fine. Would I have used a standard 180 grain Win, Rem or Fed? Not as long as I had a choice. I don't want an animal to suffer, and an animal hit and lost is an animal you pay for.

 

[JimP]

On both of my hunts I have used Barnes TTSX out of my 340 Weatherby, all plains game.

For the big part standard cup and core bullets would have worked, but then you have the what if senerio come up where you need a premium bullet. As most know with hunting Africa you'll have animals of opportunity where a premium bullet is needed and if all that you have are cup and core bullets what are you going to do when that trophy animal is standing there?

 

[K-man]

I'm sure others will say this too, but the bullet does all the work. The gun, powder, and shooter are just the delivery system. To spend the time and effort and money to get to your dream hunt in Africa, the couple of dollars more for a premium bullet is negligible. If you have ever been the last one in line behind a P.H., two trackers with your head down because you wounded an animal you will make sure you will do everything in your power to not lose or wound an animal. The only reason to consider a different bullet is if a premium doesn't group well in your rifle.

 

[Brian]

If you go for NF bullet you should ask them about the Lion bullet, I think it is called the PP. Their regular bullet is very tough and you will get some pass through.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I'm sure others will say this too, but the bullet does all the work. The gun, powder, and shooter are just the delivery system. To spend the time and effort and money to get to your dream hunt in Africa, the couple of dollars more for a premium bullet is negligible. If you have ever been the last one in line behind a P.H., two trackers with your head down because you wounded an animal you will make sure you will do everything in your power to not lose or wound an animal. The only reason to consider a different bullet is if a premium doesn't group well in your rifle.

If one premium bullet doesn't group well in a rifle, there are many other controlled expansion bullets available.One of them will probably work. If you can't find one that does, using standard "Wal-mart" ammo probably won't group either.