Originally Posted by
Grouse45
I was really surprised to see how far the Lehigh traveled. The test shown above really backs the theory on the Lehigh/European design.
Myself, i wasn't at all surprised to see how far they traveled. Sabotloader intimated i was to beware of their penetration capability. What surprised me was the lack of water and pieces of jug flying through the air, which i had seen with all the other bullets i tested. Another surprise to me was the fact that the last 4 jugs were just standing there with 45 caliber holes in them. All the other bullets knocked every jug they hit down. The brass bullet almost behaves like a solid, or an armor piercing bullet.
Originally Posted by
Grouse45
I think the SST guy's get caught up in a poor bullet performance and think it's really good. The SST/Shockwave are very in consistent on game. One day they explode on game and create the Trauma like the Lehigh. The next day they plow thru like the Nosler and dont expand at all. That's when there are no blood trails and lost Deer/game.
This paragraph doesn't make any sense to me at all. From what i witnessed on the jugs, the brass bullet doesn't create much trauma at all. At any rate not near as much as an XTP, or a Gold Dot, or a Nosler. In the next line you write.........."plow through like a Nosler and don't expand at all. This is just plain absurd. The Nosler does expand and it does do all kind of blood shot damage, and it does leave a blood trail second to none.
Originally Posted by
Grouse45
Ballistic Gel, water bottle test's etc, are a starting point no doubt. But nothing beats in the field results. I much rather see how the bullet performs on game. I would nevr use a bullet on a special hunt that i was not sure that would perform 100% like i expected it to. Even if i didn't do what i was suppost to either. (make a killing shot)
Now you write a paragraph that makes sense, and one i can agree with.
Originally Posted by
Grouse45
Bullets that i feel 100% that can do the job on Elk, Deer, Moose right now are listed below in order.
1-Lehigh 200grn and up for Deer. 250grn and up for Moose and Elk.
2-275grn Parker ballistic extremes for Deer and Elk and Moose. The 250grn has not shown any thing good in my opinion.
3-The 260 PR DeadCenter for all animals listed. The 220grn works really well on Deer.
4- Barnes MZ Expander, excellant hollow point bullet.
Bullets that i have not used that look like winners in my book.
1- Nosler in 250grn and up on deer and Elk.
2-Gold Dots in 250grn and up.
Bullets that i would not use on game.
1-PowerBelts
2-Barnes TMZ or any pointy tipped Barnes bullet.
3- Hornady SST'S/Shockwaves. Though probably the most accurate bullets, performance is poor and very inconsistent.
This paragraph i mostly agree with, except for your # 1choice. Myself, i move your #1 bullet to the group labeled 'Bullets i would not use on game'. The only way i would use your brass bullet on game is if i was down to a choice between them and the sst. Then the brass bullet would get used . OK, maybe ahead of the power belts too.
Originally Posted by
Grouse45
In order to find the best setup for yourself change is a must. If you dont wanna change then good luck with what you got. I have changed bullets 5 times in the last eight years. I'm constantly looking for ways to have an upper hand in the field. Of couse everything here is my opinion only. If you find other wise, that's great for you.
I do find other wise. Change is not a must, especially when one changes to a lesser bullet. I have been killing critters using Nosler bullets for near 25 year, which i started after the kids left home, and i had a little extra dinero to spend on bullets. Today, no change is necessary, one can just stick with Nosler and do fine.
I am not using Nosler bullets at this writing. I chose to change for the fun of it, not because it is a must. XTP bullets kill deer just fine. Nosler bullets kill deer. Gold Dot bullets kill deer.
These three bullet smuck the water jugs, and blow water high into the air along with shreds/shards of jug stuff, and the sight is spectacular to see for this 'kid'. The brass bullet not so much.