Premium vs. Traditional Bullets

[SuperstitionCoues]

Question for everyone:

I just got off of the phone with the guys at Hornady. I was trying to decide which of their bullets to use in my .30-06 for Mule Deer in Arizona (yes, I am one of the lucky few who have gotten drawn this year). I wasn't sure if I should use their Interlock, SST or Interbond in 30 cal. 165 gr.

What they told me was that - surprisingly - the Interlock would probably be the best thing for my needs. The SST would be more suitable for a smaller species, like our Whitetail (Coues), and the Interbond would probably be a bit of overkill for my situation (although the Interbond would probably give me a little bit better weight retention). This makes my life easier, since I have a few hundred 165 gr. Interlocks already loaded and ready to go.   :grin:

I can see the same train of thought being applied to my .25-06 (which loves Sierras or Hornady SST's) that I use for Coues Whitetail. With that in mind, I'm just wondering what other hunters rationale are for using a Premium bullet on a mule-deer or smaller sized game?

[Questor]

I don't see any reason to use a premium bullet on a deer the size of mule deer. Conventional bullets work just fine. I might consider using a Nosler partition because it expands well and then retains enough mass for good penetration even if the shot is at a less than optimum angle.

[cal sibley]

I use a lot of different rifles, and the situation pretty much determines what I'll use.  If a bullet has worked well for me in the past I'll continue to load it.  If not I'll experiment at the range in the summer until I find one that I suspect will do the job.  Past experience has much to do with selecting the bullet.  I have doubts about the jackets on Bal. Tips above .243 so I just switch to the Nosler Partitions.  I know that Speer  PSP do a good for me on moose so I load them up every year.  I think what we use is probably the sum total of our experiences.  Just one mans opinion.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[Lone Star]

I don't see any reason to use a premium bullet on a deer the size of mule deer. ... I might consider using a Nosler partition because it expands well and then retains enough mass for good penetration even if the shot is at a less than optimum angle.

So what you're saying is, you do see a reason to use a premium bullet on mule deer?    

[Buckfever]

I use Noslers Partitions, Sierra Game Kings, Hornady Interlocks, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, and will try Barnes Triple Shock.

To me its all about does the gun like them and shoot accurately.  Will I have to take a shot that has to take a shoulder to get to vitals.  How close or far will the shot be, for example many times out west the shot will be at least 100-200yds, not the case in the woods.  The shot could be very close or accross the tilled field.

So your individual case will play alot into what you use.  However if my gun won't shoot them accuretely they get scratched from the list.  Shot placement is number one!   Buckfever