You sure have more experience than I have.
I tend to shoot heavy bullets....just because I heard they are better.
But are you saying Hornady is good or bad??
I have heard some of their brass is too short.
Afternoon,
Yes some of there loadings use short brass for caliber. They have other ammo that is loaded quite hot. Its known to cause issue with a number of firearms. there is a governing body called SAMMI. These are the sizes, pressures and constraints on each and every caliber we have today. Hornady chose to ignore these specifications.
In many cases I too prefer the heaviest weights for each caliber. In smaller than 35 calibers, this is not always projectile.
I have shot a number of deer with these smaller 35's. In Revolvers, Contenders and Carbines. By far THE top preforming bullet was the 158Gr XTP FP from the Contender and Carbine. It mushrooms as a big game bullet should. Breaks bones and holds together. I tried it in the Maximum and found its a bit fragile at its attainable velocities.
I also shot a couple deer with factory 158 Rem HP slugs. I found them also soft in the rifle and contender. I shot a number of Wood chucks with then in the Contender with some explosive results. Head/upper body shots removed the head.
I shot one deer with a 125Gr Federal HP and it dropped in its tracks. I was elated, but while butchering I found the base of the bullet and a bunch of blood shot meat. The bullet must have vaporized inside the chest cavity. I tried the 125 Sierra SP bullets. These where found to be about the same. I was done with these light weights for deer. I tried the 140 Speer HP and what a bullet it was from my 8" Revolver. Nice expansion and thru and thru penetration.
CW