Are you itching for hunting season? As you prep your supplies for opening day of deer season, you may be looking for the best hunting bullets to score yourself a six-point prize. If this season is the year you plan to bring home a big harvest, you’ll need the right bullets to help get the job done.
In years past, you may have chosen any cartridge box with a deer on it and called it a day. While this works for the amateur hunter, these bullets are far from the most effective option on the market. Premium bullets increase the likelihood of a quick, clean kill without risking losing your target.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a hunting bullet. Finding the right option for a rifle you’re already comfortable with comes first. As you become a more experienced shooter, high-performance bullets help you have more clean, ethical kills.
Don’t get caught with cheap range ammo in your hunting blind! If you’re going to invest in good hunting bullets, you need a primer to help you decide what to buy. Read on to learn more about which bullets to buy before your next hunting trip.
Factors to Consider When Buying Hunting Bullets
If most of your shooting experience has been target practice at the range or shooting backyard pests, you’re used to smaller bullets that aren’t appropriate for hunting. Target bullet and varmint bullets usually don’t expand, so it would take more bullets to take down a large animal.
Typically, you have one chance to shoot big game, so you need a bullet that reliably expands for a controlled kill on impact. Premium hunting bullets are available with different expansion speeds. A quick expansion is best for thin-skinned game like deer or antelope, while a slow expansion offers deeper penetration for larger animals like elk or moose.
Finding the right caliber and weight depends on what animal you’re hunting, too. Heavier bullets are ideal for larger animals, but you compromise on accuracy.
Although a smaller bullet may be simpler to shoot, you will need better aim to get a clean kill. Don’t forget to check what animals are in season before you buy your next box of bullets!
Your hunting style also plays a role in choosing the right hunting bullet for you. Depending on how you tend to shoot and what distances you’re comfortable shooting at, you may need a harder or softer bullet based on whether you aim for a leg shot or a chest shot.
Accuracy is a primary factor when you’re hunting with a rifle. The best hunting bullets depend on what kind of rifle you have, so deciding between brass vs steel ammo may take some experimentation to determine what performs best.
How to Know Which Caliber to Buy
One of the most important parts of buying hunting bullets is getting the right caliber for your weapon. Using the right caliber is crucial to keep yourself safe and ensure a reliable shot. No matter what type of bullet you choose, make sure it matches the cartridge notation stamped on your rifle’s barrel or receiver.
Part of the reason experienced hunters own multiple guns is to account for the different calibers and weights needed for different sized game. Getting a bullet that is the right diameter, the correct weight, and the right length for your gun is necessary to keep your gun in great condition and to effectively shoot your target.
Generally speaking, the larger the animal, the larger caliber you need to shoot it. The caliber also plays a role in the distance you’re shooting. Keep in mind that heavier bullets may be slower but have deeper penetration than smaller, more aerodynamic bullets.
Choosing the right bullet point can help you choose an aerodynamic bullet even at a higher caliber. Always choose a bullet that is an appropriate fit for your gun. If you are unsure what size caliber you need, ask an expert at your local ammunition shop.
Primary Bullet Point Types
Different bullet tips can improve your bullet’s velocity, penetration, and expansion. Choosing a bullet with the right tip can make a big difference in whether your bullet retains its weight and power by the time it reaches your target.
Ballistic tip bullets have become a popular option because of their aerodynamic design. These tipped options provide exceptional accuracy even at long distances. While many of the best bullets available are ballistic tip options, they often cost much more than soft point or hollow point options.
Soft point bullets are the most reliable bullet option as they expand slowly but consistently. The tough copper jacket helps the bullet penetrate deeply, while the lead core expands into vital organs. A quick kill and bloody wound makes harvesting an animal easy with a soft point bullet.
Hollow point bullets stop within the animal and expand for a great kill shot at close range. However, depending on the size of the animal, a shallow penetration may lead to the animal getting away with a bad injury. Hollow points are a great choice for clean, humane kills in heavily wooded areas and at short ranges of 100 yards or less.
As a beginner, it may be tempting to buy ballistic tip bullets for their high performance. However, most ballistic tips are not worth the money if you’re on one of your first hunting trips and still working on your aim.
Consider your skill level before purchasing your bullets. New hunters may benefit from having multiple types of bullets available to them to see how they feel and how they shoot. No matter what you choose, don’t forget to practice with your new bullets first!
Does Ballistic Coefficient (BC) Matter?
When researching hunting bullets, you may come across discussions about the ballistic coefficient (or BC) of the cartridge. BC comes up when talking about how bullets perform in different weather conditions. Some hunters believe that wind density can negatively impact the velocity of a bullet.
While the BC of various bullets comes up often on forums and in discussions with hunters, it typically does not make a huge difference for deer hunting. While a slowed bullet may not penetrate your target as deeply, this usually won’t make or break your kill shot unless you’re shooting at a very long range.
If you’re new to sport shooting, BC is not a major concern. Instead, spend time practicing and perfecting your aim before you try long-range shots. No matter how powerful a bullet is, a bullet is only as good as the shooter’s aim.
Take your time trying and testing different bullets in your gun before your first trip. While these bullets are some of the best hunting bullets on the market, it’s always important to improve your shot to make powerful bullets work for you. Once you’ve practiced, check out these great hunting bullets to stock up on before your next hunting trip.
Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock
Some states require that big game hunters use pure copper, or homogeneous, bullets. Many hunters prefer the Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock for its exceptional penetration and accuracy. This bullet is a solid option for almost any size game, so this is a great bullet to have in your gun case on any trip.
The tipped varieties are more aerodynamic, helping your bullet maintain speed and power for a larger distance range. Plus, the consistent and slower expansion at varying distances makes this a great choice for larger game. As the polymer tip makes contact, the bullet splits into super-sharp petals that make it easier to reach vitals and get a near-instant kill shot.
This bullet is forgiving for someone who doesn’t have as much experience hunting large animals. For smaller game, these bullets may be overkill and go straight through the animal, eliminating the benefit of an expanding bullet.
Nosler Partition
This hyper-effective veteran favorite is a great bullet for powerful penetration and reliable one-shot performance. The way this bullet fragments on impact helps with speedy kills, even on very large animals. While this bullet is not known for its accuracy, its versatility can make up for it when you use a high-accuracy rifle.
Many Nosler Partition bullets are designed with large game hunting in mind, making them a favorite for game that may be difficult to get a kill shot on with other bullets. However, these are often an expensive option, making other Nosler bullets like the AccuBond, Ballistic Tip, and E Tip a better choice for newer hunters. The wide array of caliber and weight options make Nosler a great brand of bullets to start hunting.
.223 Remington
There’s plenty of debate about using .223 bullets for deer hunting, but these lightweight bullets are a great option for ethically taking down a whitetail. While many hunters assume that a heavier weight bullet is necessary for a clean kill, these bullets are a solid option for shots at a closer range. Within 150 yards in open country, this bullet is a great choice for beginners.
Most shooters who are new to hunting but comfortable with target practice will feel more comfortable using this lighter weight option. If you have the aim to handle it, this bullet is a great option for standing sniper shots. Before you take this bullet on your next trip, make sure your state allows .223 bullets for deer hunting, as they are illegal in some states.
Berger Elite Hunter
For hunters who love to shoot deer at long range, Berger hunting bullets are a top pick. These are a favorite for hand-loaders since they are easy and quick to load and shoot. The thin copper jacket breaks beautifully to offer exceptional expansion even at further distances.
The Elite Hunter line offers a hybrid design that offers phenomenal precision and accuracy time and time again. While the penetration is not the best available, this bullet offers powerful shock and can create a huge wound cavity. When you’re just getting started on long-range hunting, Berger hunting bullets are the way to go.
Swift Scirocco II
If you like shooting at multiple ranges, the Swift Sciorocco II is a great option for you. The bonded construction with a heavy copper jacket makes for a powerful shot, great at taking down a bear or other large game. This versatile option can push through bones and muscle at close range, making it great if your shot is less than reliable.
Bonded bullets are a great choice for long-range hunting too. These are exceptional for lower weight animals like deer because they expand rapidly and offer a quick kill with great penetration even at 400 yards.
Finding the Right Ammo for Your Hunting Trip
Whether it’s your first hunting trip or your tenth, preparing for your trip is an exciting step you don’t want to overlook. Choosing the right hunting bullets may seem tricky, but now that you have a solid understanding of what makes a good hunting bullet, you’re ready to start experimenting and finding the best option for your rifle.
Picking the right bullet relies on trial and error. Depending on your rifle of choice, there are plenty of options that could help you bag a buck and have a successful hunting trip. However, even the best hunting bullets won’t help you without plenty of target practice and experience using your rifle.
If you’re looking for more advice to help in every area of your life, keep reading! Our blog is filled with a ton of useful tips and tricks to help you excel.
