What to use for deer. Pros and cons of each...

Nosler Solid base BT
Nosler Accubond
TB Bear Claw
Barnes Triple Shok X
Nosler Partition

I read the descriptions on Federal's site, but what does it really mean for deer hunting.

The Solid base spire point is the least expensive and plenty of bullet for deer hunting The X tripple Shock and Tropy Bonded BC are premium bullets that will do the job but are more than you need for deer hunting. Same goes for the accubond. All of the bullets you listed are very good bullets and you couldn't go wrong but in my Opinion the Nosler Partition is about the best all around bulley that you can load. Opinions on this will vary with other hunter expierence but I could live for ever hunting everything that walk or crawls with the good old Partition. Good hunting to you.

I think any of those bullets will work on deer. I am going to try out some 165 Solid Base boattails in my 300 WSM soon.... if they shoot good i will use them for deer hunting this November. I would pick the bullet my rifle shoots accurately rather than worrying if the bullet is the "best" deer bullet.

Nosler Solid base BT ..this was the boattail bullet before Nosler came out with the ballistic tip..great game bullet and very accurate ..very thick base but is not bonded. Perfect all around game bullet and especially effective on medium game.


Nosler Accubond...bonded version of the Solid BAse/Ballistic tip bullets.. when you absolutely positively have to have 100% retention and great penetration Very Good shooting bullet by all accounts


TB Bear Claw.... copper bullet with a very thick base.. has lead bonded to that copper and has a flat tip. Tremendous penetrating qualities and expands very well. I would call it temperamental in its accuracy..shoots well in some guns and not in others. But has sufficient hunting accuracy for most applications. Tremendous bullet when contacting bone.

Barnes Triple Shok X solid copper bullet with 4 petals that protrude after impacting game. Supposedly a very good shooting bullet with excellent penetration and whistles thru bone as well but may shed a petal when doing so.


Nosler Partition ...old style dual core bullet with partition between lead cores ..front end dramatically expands and the rear held in by the partition gives the bullet its penetrating power. Weight retention is usually 60% or though but hundreds of thousands of game animals won't be able to complain about that. Very accurate as well.



I may have not gone into as much detail as warranted in describing these bullets but they all work and they will all kill if put in the right place.
I would use the partition or solid base for deer and not think about it . Use any grain weight in those 2 from 165-180 grain and you'll be set.