Hey Guys -

I've been reading a lot lately about people having issues with blood trails/exit wounds on different loads. What's everyone having the best luck with?

I'm shooting a Optima Elite with 100gr or 777 and 777 primers...

Thanks!

https://thorbullets.com/

Putt4Doe

http://www.knightrifles.com/bloodline-bullets/

Those premium bullets are pretty nice. As for me, I've never had a problem with either effectiveness or blood trails with 250 and 300 grain Hornady XTPs or Speer Deep Curls. The 250s shine out to 150 yards. For longer range I like the 300s.

I had an elite up until last fall when I let my cousin trade me out of it. Mine like 105grs of T7 and a 250gr bonded shock wave. This load was very accurate out of mine. The wife and I was in Ohio hunting with my cousin and he asked me if he could use it one day hunting, of course I said no problem. He ended up using it all week and shot 4 deer with it and just had to have it. So I left Ohio without it, I kinda miss it to. Very nice shooting ML.

300 grain speer deep curls.

Putt4Doe,

I prefer any of the Barnes lines and then XTPs. Both of which leave great blood trails for me when they don't drop on the spot.

240 grain, .44 cal Deep Curls with a Harvester green crush rib sabot. Usually have a pass through with very good blood. Only ever recovered one bullet and that was a pass through as welll that I was lucky to find. About $26 for a hundred bullets.

Also has lots of blood using the Hornady 350 grain FPB. My guess is any conical that holds together will make a nice hole.

As you may have seen, many different opinions and bullets are mentioned. I suggest looking at accuracy first face it, if it is not accurate then why use it. I also suggest look at the cost of the bullet. The more cost effective, the more you can practice with them. Then look at the bullet design. Is this bullet going to do what you need it to do? Will it splatter, fragment, shoot accurate at the ranges you need? Last is, is the bullet legal to use? Make sure you know the local game laws.

Bullets I would suggest you try... In bulk, Hornady XTPs in 240, 250, and 300 grain are some to try. Speer Deep Curl in 250 grain and 300 grain would be a good choice. 250 grain shockwaves are another must try. If you don't like the idea of bulk they sell many of them in smaller amounts. Once you have a good load, then experiment with some of the premium bullets and conicals. You then have a fall back on load.