One softpoint bullet vs the next

[heeple]

Hi guys,

Forgetting accuracy for a second. Is there a reason to choose softpoint bullet A over bullet B?

Remington Core Lokt? Sierra Game King? Federal Power-Shok?

Anything to see here or just what shoots most accurately?

[bobnob]

In my general experience I find one cup and core lead tip bullet generally performs as well as most others, especially when impact speeds are kept in sub 2800fps or so ranges.

I like Hornady Interlocks as an all round bullet, but if Pro Hunters, Core Lokts, Hot Cors or similar shoot well I am quite happy to use those too.

I've found that as impact speeds pump up ie above 3000fps, the performance becomes a little more variable. I don't shoot many handloads at those speeds though.

[Hennie Dreyer]

Sierra Game Kings to my mind very very accurate. Stopped hunting medium to big game with it though due to it breaking up badly/prematurely at speeds > 1600 fps

[Rocker]

Assuming same bullet same, same velocity, same bullet makeup...

For all intents and purposes they should be more or less the same. Nothing an animal on the receiving end will appreciate differently anyway

Accuracy is another story of course. Not good if your bullet does truckloads of damage if you can't hit anything with it

[Elek]

same bullet makeup...

That will be a deciding factor in it.

Two bullets might both be softpoints, but one might have a jacket twice and thick as the next.

Could lead to problems like Hennie mentioned of bullets coming apart prematurely. That kind of stuff usually comes down to something to do with the jacket.

Bonding could be another thing.

[Kater]

same velocity

That could vary quite a bit too.

There are some decent BC soft points and others that are much lower.

Might be same muzzle velocity, but velocity and damage over 200m, 300m etc. could be significantly less.

150gr .30 cal game king has a .380 BC.

Federal Power Shok has a .313 BC.

At closer ranges won't make a different, but longer range shooting could start to add up.

[Aussier]

That could vary quite a bit too.

On paper... In practice?

If you're shooting soft points you're not doing F-Class.

More than likely your hunting at 100 - 200 metres.

[heeple]

These will be for hunting loads.

I have some access to a property where I could potentially be shooting 400-500 metres.

Not a common thing, but possible. Would like to be covered for everything.

Game Kings have gotten good feedback on other things I've read. I might start with those.

[bobnob]

Heeple, in that case check out the Hornady SST as well as the GameKing. Good accurate bullets and fast killers. Nice sleek profile too.

[headspace]

I sticking 150gn Game Kings in my 308. Good accuracy and will take most medium game here, pigs, goats and deer.

[Lorgar]

Heeple, in that case check out the Hornady SST as well as the GameKing.

SST where the bullet of choice for my Ruger .308 when I had it.

I couldn't get it to work with Game Kings, but the flat base Pro-hunters (another soft point, heeple) shot nearly as good.

Not knocking game kings. Just didn't shoot well for me.

[chacka]

These will be for hunting loads.

Just FYI softpoints aren't the only hunting bullet...

Plenty of good (if not better) options.

Ballistic tips, solid copper options like Barnes TSX etc.

Just sayin'

[Aussier]

Ballistic Tips are twice the price of Game Kings though last time I checked

[bobnob]

God, Ballistic Tips are over priced. Almost double the price of Interlocks, Hotcors, and 1.5 times the price of SSTs and Gamekings. Never been able to tell the difference on game.

[bigfellascott]

I really like the Sierra Game King 55gn (AKA Super Roos) they have always performed very well for me, accurate and kill very emphatically too.

This is one I shot at a Hardox 500 plate @80m using my 22/250 Howa - all the other splash marks are from 338 Lapua, 308 and 223 and 222.



This is one I used on a Rabbit at around 150m or so from memory.


Heres a fox I shot using em at approx 260m one night.


They are Accurate too

[remnt]

This is one I shot at a Hardox 500 plate @80m using my 22/250 Howa - all the other splash marks are from 338 Lapua, 308 and 223 and 222.

Your 22-250 made the hole where all those others didn't?

[Lorgar]

God, Ballistic Tips are over priced. Almost double the price of Interlocks, Hotcors, and 1.5 times the price of SSTs and Gamekings. Never been able to tell the difference on game.

They definitely are expensive when comparing the damage they do on game. I've used SST's and Sierra's and they definitely do the job.

But...

I use Ballistics tips in my current hunting rifle as they're the most for it. As I only fire a few rounds in a trip if any the cost isn't important, I'd rather pay the extra $6-7 dollars per trip for those few shots for the extra accuracy.

Just saying don't write them off just on price, they're a good bullet and if you don't shoot heaps the cost isn't a big deal.

[bigfellascott]

Your 22-250 made the hole where all those others didn't?

Yep it certainly did! - I couldn't believe it either, I looked at the target and swear I could see the grass through it (my mate said impossible its hardox) I said we you have a look at it then I swear that I can see grass through a hole in it (It left him and I both very surprised)

Needless to say I never shot at it after that with the 250, didn't want to make it look like swiss cheese!

I guess its got something to do with projectile diameter and velocity - but strangely enough I don't push these out the barrel that hard 3500fps so not sure to be honest, I guess they are going faster than the 223's that were shooting the same weight but diff projectile I think.

[remnt]

Yep it certainly did! - I couldn't believe it either

Go the little guy

Really shows up that .338 Lap