Why aren't target rounds suitable for hunting?

[Oldbloke]

Hunting bullets are designed to expand in a controlled way in order to cause plenty of damage. Some expand quicker than others depending on intended use. Weight retention is considered important too.

None of the above is considered when designing a target bullet, so a bit hit and miss for hunting.

[Gamerancher]

The price of some "match" bullets vs. hunting bullets may be a factor in choice also, especially in 6.5 & 7mm. Then again some "u-beaut" hunting bullets can be ridiculously priced also. Terminal performance at target , whether paper, steel or living is the most important factor. This is usually best found out by yourself, using your loads, in your rifle.

[Norton]

Maybe I misread some of the context of the replies BUT, aren't we supposed to be discussing "Hunting Bullets" not little calibre Varmint Bullets and Varminting which in my view is an entirely different subject... ??

Varminting is different thing.

Back to the topic at hand... Hunting game requires bullets that are designed to expand in a consistent fashion and retain weight, to ensure transfer of energy and sizeable wound channel.

Match bullets are not. Expansion can be unpredictable or explosive, or lacking and pencil through. They're designed for accuracy, not to kill well.

[Bigtravoz]

As we know there are 'target' and 'hunting' rounds available.

Not that I'm an expert by any means, but the guy at the shop showed me some berger 'hunting' hollow points and some 'target' hollow points and they looked identical to me.

The guy at the store didn't seem real confident in his explanation of the difference, I got some vague description that they "hold together" better and he was quick to wrap things up and stop trying to explain anything further.

Weight is one factor that has me thinking, target shooting usually favours heavier pills which if you're shooting .30 cal might be 175gr - 200gr. Heavy and hard hitting on weight alone, regardless of other factors.

Some more info would be great, thanks.

The difference is that the hunting ones don't meet weight spec or are start of a batchin manufacturing otherwise they're exactly the same

[Gwion]

As we know there are 'target' and 'hunting' rounds available.

Not that I'm an expert by any means, but the guy at the shop showed me some berger 'hunting' hollow points and some 'target' hollow points and they looked identical to me.

The guy at the store didn't seem real confident in his explanation of the difference, I got some vague description that they "hold together" better and he was quick to wrap things up and stop trying to explain anything further.

Weight is one factor that has me thinking, target shooting usually favours heavier pills which if you're shooting .30 cal might be 175gr - 200gr. Heavy and hard hitting on weight alone, regardless of other factors.

Some more info would be great, thanks.

The difference is that the hunting ones don't meet weight spec or are start of a batchin manufacturing otherwise they're exactly the same

Nope. Construction of hunting bullets and target bullets (for the large part) are completely different from jacket thickness and hardess to construction of the core and bonding between core and jacket.

[bigfellascott]

Here's some of the different projectiles I was using at the time for culling work. I found the Nosler Solid Base was the best out of them all, the animal would just drop dead on the spot and you could hear a very distinct thump when it hit home compared to the others. The others worked fine also but that Solid Base just did a better job IMHO.