What is the deal with these 168 grain bullets? Is there something special about that specific number?

Good question. I know guys shoot them in target matches. I load up Nosler ballistic tips (both 150's and 168's for my -06) and shoot Winchester Supremes (Nosler 168 gr. ballistic tips again) for hunting. All I can say is that they posthole virtually every deer I shoot with them....AKA they fall over dead as a doornail. I have shot close to 20 deer with these things and the combined distance that they have all run is at most 20 yards. They are impressive indeed.

Is that the Winchester supreme 'ballistic silvertip" is what is says on the box? I've used the 180 grains in my 300. Huge exit wound. work great. Thanks for the insight on the 168, thats pretty interesting.

If I remember correctly, I think the Military used to use 168 and 174 as their standard "match" grain weights. I could be wrong, but that might be another reason for the popularity...besides the fact they drop everything in their tracks.

Not all 168 grain bullets are suitable for game animals. The 168 grainSierra Match King is one of the most accurate bullets out there. It is a match bullet with a small hollow point. The hollow point is part of the manufacturing process, i am told. Sometimes it will expand on game animals.Often it doesnot.

Otherbullet makersalso make 168 grain match bullets. Some like Winchester make expanding bullets for use on game.

The standard military match bullet for decades was the 173 grain FMJ. i am looking at boxes of both 7.62 mm and .30 caliber match ammunition. The 7.62mm is the M118 Match. The .30 caliber is M72 Match.