bullet choice - another dummy question
 

Alright, I' ll ask (another) dumb question. I' m looking around at different bullets, and wondered what the relative differences between them are (other than weight). For example, what does a ballistic tip do vs. a nosler partition at the point of impact? Trophy Bonded Bear Claw? Safari Grade, etc?

Thanks for the insight!

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

I would suggest going to federal, hornady, remmingtons, winchester...who ever bullets you plan to use and do some reading on the different bullets. All bullets are designed to expand and retain, just different ends to the means (ie: Ballistic Tip is design to expand rapidly and release a lot of energy which cause massive shock to the animal while a bonded bullet such as Nosler Partition is design to retain and punch through tough hides, bone, etc slower more delayed release of energy which causes less shock but further penetration.) The bullet used depends on the cartridge and the game you are hunting. For deer almost any bullet will work fine, moose & elk you require a bullet that is controlled and gets through that bigger bone, hide and muscle base (however some who use bigger, faster more effecient cartridges can chuck any style and still get good results such as 300RUM). What you find with bullets is most like a certain flavor, it usually boils down to field experience.

I personally love Ballistic Tip Style for deer and antelope but for Moose & Elk I have found Failsafes & Nosler Parts are the best route to go. While I have tried many other styles, these are the ones they have worked the best for me in the past so I just stick with them. If something comes along and I feel it is worth a go, then I will load it up and see how she flys. If the range tells me the rifle likes them, then it is to the field and game. I am not above change I mentioned Ballistic Tipos are my favorite for deer, but last fall I switched to the Hornady SST (It is a BT) and won' t be looking back to my Nosler Ballistic Tips any time soon.

Good Luck

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

All depends on what you will be shooting,and also what shoots from your gun.Trophy bonded are excellent,and I have had good results with nosler partion,and ballistic tips on thin skined animals like deer and antelope

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

i have god results with the sierragameling' s SPBT 165gr. out of my 30-06sprg for deer.

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

That' s not a dumb question at all Grizzlybear. There are a ton of bullets to look at & they all claim to be the best?
The Nosler number four reloading manual has a article on what bullet to pick for your style of hunting. They say the Nosler Partition is for large/heavy game Elk, Moose & large bears at any range. They also work fine on deer & antelope.
The Nosler Balistic tip are intended of animals such as deer, antelope, black bear & sheep at just about any range?
Most bullet makers should have information on there bullets, look on the net or in reloading manuals.
Good luck on your bullet choice.

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

Grizzlybear, These are not dumb questions. The only way you' ll learn is ask and read.The others gave you good advice so I' ll leave it at that.You do need to try different bullet weights ,brands and types of bullets to see what your gun likes.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

Thanks guys!

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

While there are many good bullets out there, If I had to pick one to do ALL HUNTING and ALL GAME it would be the Nosler Partition. It will perform well at all ranges. It has good weight retention and open at even pretty low impact velocities. I do use the Balistic tip in some calibers for deer and smaller game. But to just pick one , the partition.

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

I have a question about ballistic tips. If they open right away and you hit a big deer in the shoulder will it sill punch through?

RE: bullet choice - another dummy question
 

This is to answer the question.
A ballistic tip bullet has a plastic tip on the end.When shot in to the target ,the tip drive in to the face of the bullet there for causing rappid mushrooming,wich shrapnels through the vitals causing massive amount of dammage(in therory).

A partition on the other hand is more slow in forming a mushroom.It has a lead core coverd by a copper jacket.When shot in to a target it will break through bone and retain alot of it' s own weight wich carries it on through the target as it mushrooms.This bullet is one of the greatest killers.I use in every gun I hunt with big game.

Nuge15, a balistic tip will kill a big deer,try not to hit alot of bone with it,keep it in the soft spot behind the shoulder or in the neck.