I've finally run out of my Buffalo SSB 285's. They served me well although I never could get used to the odd paths they took through the deer. A straight line never seemed to be what they chose. I tried some sst last year and wont do that again. Finished up with an assortment of 300 Barnes with that huge hollow point that let a large doe run about 35 yards on a long 150 plus, and 250 xtp that anchored a young doe at about the same range.

No one ever seems to mention the lead bullets with the copper coating on them in the crush ribs I see in the farm stores. I'm tempted but leaning towards the Gold Dot and Partitions. But not sure of 250 or 300 grains. There are alot of property lines I'd rather not have to cross, plus I'm usually alone and getting a little too old to drag them through the rough stuff and would much prefer to see them fold or not go too far. Seems like most shots are averaging 150 with the occasional long one at maybe 175 and quite a few much closer, 25 to 75.

Still have some BH209 and a Knight Disc Elite in .50

285 and 300 grainers sound kind of heavy for deer.250 work pretty good from what I've seen.Friend shot a buck at 45 yards w/a 250 gr. xtp.Deer took 2 steps and dropped.My best kill came w/a 250 barnes sabot MZ on a doe @ 60 yards.Dropped in her tracks.Barnes has some boat tail sabots in 250 gr. for those long shots,if you're interested.These are currently the only 2 brands I can speak for.

I've had the best luck with barnes Spitfire TMZ and T-EZ or Shockwaves. Most top bullet brands give great performance these days with the exception of Powerbelts. I would stay away from them. I know there are die hard powerbelt fans on here. Not trying to get anyone riled up just giving my opinion based on experience. I used powerbelts for a couple years. Barnes would be my number one choice

For dropping them on the spot the 250 gr Gold Dot or curl as they changed the name has consistently done it the Nosler 260 would be next best after that the Barns. It has been my experience that the heavier bullets kill deer just fine but are actually designed for heavier game and open slower and the deer runs before dieing.
It is also my experience that placing the shot a couple inches above the heart so it destroys the large arteries above the heart and both lungs makes a big difference.

grizzly 2

I have used the Nosler .451/260 grain partition for years. It was a great bullet and certainly no complaint from about their performance.... problem - Nosler is no longer offering them. They still offer the .458/300 (45-70) grain Nosler Partition but that can certainly be a bit much for Whitetail.

Last year I changed to new bullet (new to me) offered by Lehigh. They make solid brass bullets that operate on a different theory - rather than the normal expansion theory - and for us old folks it is kinda hard to accept. Other than it works.

For deer I beleived that I was going to use the .452/250 grain Lehigh HP. I shot a lot of them at paper and through a chrono. Then as I developed a plan I ended up deciding that I would use a .458/275 grain HP for elk and a .400/200 grain for deer.

That little 10mil/200 grain bullet is a real hummer.

But as already mentioned they are some really decent bullets available on the market - just got to find the one that you might gain some faith in. You mentioned the Gold Dots (now changing their name to Deep Curl's) . They are excellent bullets also...

Good luck

I've dropped them with .530 round balls, 300 Barnes MZs, Hornady 240 .429 XTPs and the 250 SST/Shockwaves...

The secret is to put it through the shoulder blade on broadside shots or the base of the neck, angling to the off shoulder blade on quartering to shots or just behind the shoulder and high on quartering away shots...

That doe that was able to go 35 yards when hit with the 300 Barnes was dead, she just didn't know it...If your gun likes them, that's a good one...

If you can find Gold Dot, that is what i would use. I haven't found any available lately. The price of Gold Dot is usually better than other good bullet

I have always used bullet that are too heavy for deer, like the 270 and 300 grain Gold Dot, and the 300g XTP, and the 300g partition. Deer end up dead when hit with these bullet, but perhaps using a lighter bullet would result in quicker drops.

Graf say they have 240g 44 caliber Gold Dot in stock. It could be i will give them a try.

Wideners has these 260g 45 caliber Nosler Partition in stock, and the price is not too bad for any old bullet, but it is real good for a partition.

There are plenty of great bullets available, and some cost over $1.00 each, and some don't.

Ron, try
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...0P1B&cID=GSHOP
second best price,they won,t last long.
http://www.gunaccessories.com/Speer/...tolBullets.asp
Very high but they normally have some.

Natchez has both the .44cal/270gr and the .45cal/250gr Speer GDHPs in stock, box of 50, for around $18.

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cf...&prodID=SP4461

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cf...&prodID=SP4484

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll get some 250gr gold dots and set the rifle up. I really like this rifle. First hunting shot out of it was a nice doe on the ground when the smoke cleared. Next shot was a mature 9 pt. Don't think I had a single complaint until I ran out of the lead SSBs and tried the SSTs. Deer seemed to be running way too far.

I suspect I may loose a little traj. but I was beginning to think I'd need a spotting scope to decide on the age of does if they got much further away. The 10x50 nikon binocs and the 10x scope just werent always enough, and if they moved around much, and changed places in the field, it was like a shell game.

I'd love to try some .40's but here in Illinois they arent legal. Must have a minimun of .45