Premium vs standard ammo for hunting

[Kreyzhorse]

I used core lokts for years and was very happy with their performance. I've since switched to Winchester ballistic tips. I didn't switch because I think that the ballistic tips are a better round, I switched because those Remington's are so damn dirty to shoot. Other than that, I just don't buy into the premium sales pitch.

 

[Art Eatman]

Handloading (with or without premium bullets ) is like a lot of things. Whether you drive a race car, fly a plane or load ammo, don't get stupid. Pay attention to detail, just as you pay attention to your Cape buffalo or the IRS folks. I dunno. Life just never seemed all that difficult, to me...

 

[Mannlicher]

I do my hog and deer hunting at pretty short ranges. I have yet to see any problems with Federal Classic, or Remington Core-Lokt cartridges.
I realize that using premium ammo when hunting different game, at longer ranges might well be the ticket, but for me, I am good with standard fodder.

 

[Jimro]

Lethality is an interesting subject. Are premium bullets more "lethal" than standard bullets?

No.

There are two main schools of thought on hunting rounds. "Velocity is king" school and "Heavy bullet at moderate velocity" school. Both schools of thought have their champions, Jack O'Connor and Elmer Keith...

If you believe "Velocity is king" then you are a staunch supporter of premium bullets and like calibers that "shoot flat" like the 270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, and 300 Win Mag. Your bullets are designed not to fly apart on contact and you shake your head in disgust when you see "Heavy and moderate" people buy cheap corelokt or SuperX ammo.

If you are a "heavy bullet at moderate velocity" you think fondly of the 30-30 and 45-70 and chuckle when you see "Velocity is King" people pay extra for "premium" ammo. You think if it was good enough for Grandpa it's good enough for you.

Jimro

 

[pbrktrt]

i try a bunch of different ammo & let the rifle tell me what it likes. some like the standard stuff & some like the premium. as said, with proper placement the all make the game dead.

 

[GSoD]

All I know is that my uncle and me shot the same moose at the same time at 150 yards. Him a Federal 180 grain soft point me a Federal Premium with Nosler Balistic Tip. His bullet turned to shavings and mine was intact and expanded and is now on my key chain.

Considering a box of 20 should last for 20 or so animals I don't have any problems using premium bullets.

 

[Jack O'Conner]

I agree that long distance shots require upgraded components. My older Remington in .243 shoots better accurasy than ever before by simply switching to the 95 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip.

But I still hunt mulies in the foothills each year with my 30-30 carbine and plain old fashioned flat nose ammo. My shots rarely exceed 125 yards or so and at this distance, my 30-30 still hits with plenty of power.

Elk are notorious for showing little or no response to a good shot into the chest. I've witnessed that Premium bullets bring .308, 7mm-08, 270, and 30-06 to a higher level of penetration than so-called standard bullets. That being said, I've toppled more elk over the years with Remington core-lockt ammo than any other brand or type of bullet. It's a well designed bullet that has proven itself around the world, wherever big game is hunted.

No, I'm not employed by Remington as a spokesman.

I've experienced very good performance with FEDERAL Hi-Shok, Winchester Power Point & SilverTip, and Hornady Inter-lock. Sierra Pro Hunter is worth a second look as well.

Good hunting to you.
Jack

 

[taylorce1]

I don't think that on longer shots a premium bullet is going to offer better performance than a standard cup & core bullet. Longer ranges mean that the bullets are traveling slower and premium bullets are usually made for controlled expansion at higher speeds. I think once you fall below 2500-2600 (EWAG) fps all a premium bullet does is cost you more money per shot.

I think premium bullets are a better choice when close range shots are common and using high velocity cartridges or light for caliber bullets are used. You don't hear of too many bullet failures on the far side of 200 yards with standard bullets. Most happen inside 100 yards when cup & core bullet performance is unpredictable.

In fact in recent years premium bullet makers have had to re-design their products to perform at lower speeds. I think most claim to work from 1800 fps and up, because there bullets were failing to open at speeds standard bullets worked well at. I usually don't find a need to step up to a premium bullet until I start chasing elk (.277 150 grain NP), as standard bullets have never failed me on deer and pronghorn or smaller.

 

[Frankyoz]

Dont matter all depends on what my gun likes best. I have some great results with standard ammo and the premium stuff. I always pick up at least 4 diffrent types and brands of ammo to try out to get a feel for what the gun likes most