There is a lot of information and opinion on the internet about using target or match bullets. For this discussion I focus on "open tip" bullets like the Sierra Match King and Norma Golden Bullet that came up recently, but they apply to all "match" and "target" bullets that do not have a "tip" like the Hornady ELDm or Sierra Tipped Match King.
Berger is the best example because they sell their bullets in both target and hunting flavor. And, the difference in the bullet components is what matters, and why they recommend only their hunting bullets for game. I shoot Berger and have not had a failure, and I did a lot of research and review to make that decision. Yes, I read reports about failures, but I take them with a grain of salt, and compare the number of reports of failure (nothing is perfect) and who is reporting the failure, and couldn't be more confident in my choice. I talk about my experience with them later, but that really isn't enough to trust just me about bullets. The information in this FAQ should help you understand what you are reading and take into account the opinions of others.
I know there is a lot of success with target/match bullets. I personally use Berger hunting bullets, which are "match" style bullets that are specifically configured and designed to ensure fragmentation--something other manufacturers aren't necessarily doing. Berger has enough confidence to market them as hunting, and there should be enough proof in the pudding for why they are willing to put their reputation out there for them.
So, if you are reading this, you might be like me. I am always a little tempted to buy and use other "target" bullets for hunting when they shoot so good out of a rifle, but I always conclude that there is just enough sliver of doubt/lack of confidence to stick with them for range shooting and practice only. I ask myself, why risk it when the cost of the bullet is a small fraction of the cost of the tag, rifle, gas, food, vacation, etc...
By the end of the FAQ, you can make a decision for yourself. Maybe you have a hunt and don't have time to test another bullet, and you have a factory load with SMK that shoots amazing. Can you use it? Yes, you can, but there will always be a little doubt. If you keep reading, you'll at least know the risk of taking that ammo and be able to take steps to minimize the risk of failure.
Correct me if I am wrong, or add to it in the comments. If you disagree, that's great, lets get that into the discussion, but please take the time to explain it and give context. I've tried to be fair and balanced as possible, I hope it shows.
Generally, the "question mark" hanging over many target bullets, like the SMK and Norma one that came up, is that the bullet can perform well 90% of the time, but you still have the one that pencils through for some reason. And, that "question mark" often bleeds over to other "match style" hunting bullets like the Berger, ELDm, or TMK, but really shouldn't because they are in a different class performance wise.
When it comes to non-tipped "target" or "match" bullets, I understand the issues from the "questionable" manufacturers like Sierra/Norma are thicker jackets and manufacturing consistency like jacket thickness and closed tips that lead to varied terminal results--that niggling 10% or less (and I made up 10% as at best a wild educated guess). I say "questionable" only in the sense of terminal performance on game. They are clearly high quality bullets for targets and match, performing without question.
It is helpful to understand why Berger "hunting" bullets don't fall into that category, even though they were originally "target" bullets. The original Berger "target" bullet back in the day used a thinner jacket than their current "target" bullets. Their old jackets/hunting jackets are thinner than the "questionable" match bullets. Like everything, target shooters tested them and were using them successfully on game, so when Berger thickened the jacket on the "target" bullets they continued manufacturing "hunting" bullets with the old style thinner jacket.
That is why Berger advertises its bullets either as hunting or target. And, when it comes to the variations of manufactured bullets, Berger may use a traditional, VLD or Hybrid shape (I understand Elite Hunters are Hybrid, no?), but it is the jacket that distinguishes it for hunting purposes. I haven't looked, but I don't think they are doing their tip uniforming on hunting bullets, are they?
This thicker target jacket vs. the thinner hunting jackets is the reason why I will only use the Berger hunting bullets. I have only shot Berger hunting bullets and never had anything except devastating fragmentation on game for my limited sample of a dozen or so animals since I started hunting. That includes a couple of shots at distance when MV dropped between 1700 and 1800 fps on elk. Has killed quickly and effectively with most between 300 and 550 yards. I have never had to track an animal I've shot. Seems like that is the experience of most with Berger, so I will keep shooting them.
Besides my experience, I have convinced the small circle of hunters and shooters around me to use Berger (and follow me down the rabbit hole to buy better rifles, scopes, to handload, etc.). None of them have lost an animal that they shot with Berger bullets (except a couple incidents that will remain unnamed because you can't include a crappy shot that would contaminate the data for our purposes.)
When it comes down to the complaints about Berger bullets, nothing is 100% perfect, and the reports are rare enough, third hand, and don't come from sources I know enough to trust. I know lots of guys use Berger Target bullets successfully, so I wonder how many of the "Berger's penciled on me" were due to the use of target bullets.
CONTINUED IN NEXT POST
Berger is the best example because they sell their bullets in both target and hunting flavor. And, the difference in the bullet components is what matters, and why they recommend only their hunting bullets for game. I shoot Berger and have not had a failure, and I did a lot of research and review to make that decision. Yes, I read reports about failures, but I take them with a grain of salt, and compare the number of reports of failure (nothing is perfect) and who is reporting the failure, and couldn't be more confident in my choice. I talk about my experience with them later, but that really isn't enough to trust just me about bullets. The information in this FAQ should help you understand what you are reading and take into account the opinions of others.
I know there is a lot of success with target/match bullets. I personally use Berger hunting bullets, which are "match" style bullets that are specifically configured and designed to ensure fragmentation--something other manufacturers aren't necessarily doing. Berger has enough confidence to market them as hunting, and there should be enough proof in the pudding for why they are willing to put their reputation out there for them.
So, if you are reading this, you might be like me. I am always a little tempted to buy and use other "target" bullets for hunting when they shoot so good out of a rifle, but I always conclude that there is just enough sliver of doubt/lack of confidence to stick with them for range shooting and practice only. I ask myself, why risk it when the cost of the bullet is a small fraction of the cost of the tag, rifle, gas, food, vacation, etc...
By the end of the FAQ, you can make a decision for yourself. Maybe you have a hunt and don't have time to test another bullet, and you have a factory load with SMK that shoots amazing. Can you use it? Yes, you can, but there will always be a little doubt. If you keep reading, you'll at least know the risk of taking that ammo and be able to take steps to minimize the risk of failure.
Correct me if I am wrong, or add to it in the comments. If you disagree, that's great, lets get that into the discussion, but please take the time to explain it and give context. I've tried to be fair and balanced as possible, I hope it shows.
Generally, the "question mark" hanging over many target bullets, like the SMK and Norma one that came up, is that the bullet can perform well 90% of the time, but you still have the one that pencils through for some reason. And, that "question mark" often bleeds over to other "match style" hunting bullets like the Berger, ELDm, or TMK, but really shouldn't because they are in a different class performance wise.
When it comes to non-tipped "target" or "match" bullets, I understand the issues from the "questionable" manufacturers like Sierra/Norma are thicker jackets and manufacturing consistency like jacket thickness and closed tips that lead to varied terminal results--that niggling 10% or less (and I made up 10% as at best a wild educated guess). I say "questionable" only in the sense of terminal performance on game. They are clearly high quality bullets for targets and match, performing without question.
It is helpful to understand why Berger "hunting" bullets don't fall into that category, even though they were originally "target" bullets. The original Berger "target" bullet back in the day used a thinner jacket than their current "target" bullets. Their old jackets/hunting jackets are thinner than the "questionable" match bullets. Like everything, target shooters tested them and were using them successfully on game, so when Berger thickened the jacket on the "target" bullets they continued manufacturing "hunting" bullets with the old style thinner jacket.
That is why Berger advertises its bullets either as hunting or target. And, when it comes to the variations of manufactured bullets, Berger may use a traditional, VLD or Hybrid shape (I understand Elite Hunters are Hybrid, no?), but it is the jacket that distinguishes it for hunting purposes. I haven't looked, but I don't think they are doing their tip uniforming on hunting bullets, are they?
This thicker target jacket vs. the thinner hunting jackets is the reason why I will only use the Berger hunting bullets. I have only shot Berger hunting bullets and never had anything except devastating fragmentation on game for my limited sample of a dozen or so animals since I started hunting. That includes a couple of shots at distance when MV dropped between 1700 and 1800 fps on elk. Has killed quickly and effectively with most between 300 and 550 yards. I have never had to track an animal I've shot. Seems like that is the experience of most with Berger, so I will keep shooting them.
Besides my experience, I have convinced the small circle of hunters and shooters around me to use Berger (and follow me down the rabbit hole to buy better rifles, scopes, to handload, etc.). None of them have lost an animal that they shot with Berger bullets (except a couple incidents that will remain unnamed because you can't include a crappy shot that would contaminate the data for our purposes.)
When it comes down to the complaints about Berger bullets, nothing is 100% perfect, and the reports are rare enough, third hand, and don't come from sources I know enough to trust. I know lots of guys use Berger Target bullets successfully, so I wonder how many of the "Berger's penciled on me" were due to the use of target bullets.
CONTINUED IN NEXT POST