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RDF from Nosler
- Thread starter hooligan1
- Start date
Typically match grade bullets are made for punching paper, no thought what so ever is put into how they'll perform on game animals. Their internal ballistics on game could range from penciling through the animal to exploding on contact leaving only a shallow, non lethal wound.
Nosler guy
New member
That is a very accurate statement from Allen.
The meplat is so small on those type of bullets that, unless you hit a large bone they likely will not expand and ice pick similar to a fmj. The other scenario is grenade like fragmentation similar to a varmint bullet. There usually isn't any taper to the jacket which is usually paper thin anyway making terminal performance very unpredictable.
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The meplat is so small on those type of bullets that, unless you hit a large bone they likely will not expand and ice pick similar to a fmj. The other scenario is grenade like fragmentation similar to a varmint bullet. There usually isn't any taper to the jacket which is usually paper thin anyway making terminal performance very unpredictable.
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troyinidaho
New member
Is this bullet similar to the Hornady Amax? I've heard so many guys around here using that bullet for deer and coyotes
I have never used the RDF bullets but I do shoot match bullets out of my 7-08 and I have retrieved some spent bullets from a sand bank shot from 200 yds that looked like they just came out of the box less the rifleing marks from going down the barrel. I would never use match bullets for deer or other game animals.
Well I was hoping for someone to do a geltain test at 100 yds and see what kindo of trama or wound channel it provides....
and before everybody freaks out on taking game with target bullets, step back from the ledge, I have too many nice, premium hunting bullets for critters, just wanted real info pertaining to the bullet.
I think it would be fine for coyotes and crows and other predators...
and before everybody freaks out on taking game with target bullets, step back from the ledge, I have too many nice, premium hunting bullets for critters, just wanted real info pertaining to the bullet.
I think it would be fine for coyotes and crows and other predators...
Any bullet will preform with desired effects if the placement is spot on. I.E. I nailed a pronghorn at 400 yards with a 168gr .30 A-max right in the boiler room. And it was DRT.
Regardless, shot placement is king.
If I can't guarantee a hit with in a 6" circle at any given distance I don't take the shot, period!
Regardless, shot placement is king.
If I can't guarantee a hit with in a 6" circle at any given distance I don't take the shot, period!
math teacher
New member
It does not matter what spot you put the bullet on if it blows up on the hide and fails to penetrate or it pencils through without expanding. In either case you have an animal likely to run off and die a lingering death, probably not to be found in time if at all. Target bullets are constructed without any thought about use on game. Because an occasional animal is killed with one does not make their use on game ethical.
One of the worst thing about using target bullets for varmints is the RICOCHET FACTOR. Varmint bullets tend to be very fragile and literally explode at ground contact, even in heavy grass, snow etc.
That's also why I don't use deer bullets, since they tend to ricochet more than varmint bullets.
I've seen evidence of .22-250 Rem, varmint hollow point bullet blowup on fairly settled snow at about 100 yards, when I shot an empty .22LR box on top of the snow. The bullet hit the box dead center at 95 yards and there was a puff beyond with pieces of jacket/lead scattered there. The exit hole was even a bit larger than the entry. There was no entry hole in the snow, just the metal chips/dust.
Loved the .22-250, but if you don't handload, get a .223.
JP
That's also why I don't use deer bullets, since they tend to ricochet more than varmint bullets.
I've seen evidence of .22-250 Rem, varmint hollow point bullet blowup on fairly settled snow at about 100 yards, when I shot an empty .22LR box on top of the snow. The bullet hit the box dead center at 95 yards and there was a puff beyond with pieces of jacket/lead scattered there. The exit hole was even a bit larger than the entry. There was no entry hole in the snow, just the metal chips/dust.
Loved the .22-250, but if you don't handload, get a .223.
JP
@ math teacher,
Can you tell me exactly what bullet, weight, caliber, muzzle velocity,distant to target animal and what species that you have seen where a bullet exploded on impact and did not penatrate the hide, and or pencil hole through and not create any hydrostatic shock.
This goes for anyone that has had this same experience.
I would like to know so the next ballistics seminar I attend I will do my best to recreate the results.
Now don't get me wrong I am not an advocate for using target bullets, one should absolutely use a good hunting bullet.
Also understand I am not your average hunter. I've had the fortune of getting hundreds of hours of training provided to me because of my line of work. My choice of the A-Max on certain select animals is not one out of ignorance. It is an informed choice.
Can you tell me exactly what bullet, weight, caliber, muzzle velocity,distant to target animal and what species that you have seen where a bullet exploded on impact and did not penatrate the hide, and or pencil hole through and not create any hydrostatic shock.
This goes for anyone that has had this same experience.
I would like to know so the next ballistics seminar I attend I will do my best to recreate the results.
Now don't get me wrong I am not an advocate for using target bullets, one should absolutely use a good hunting bullet.
Also understand I am not your average hunter. I've had the fortune of getting hundreds of hours of training provided to me because of my line of work. My choice of the A-Max on certain select animals is not one out of ignorance. It is an informed choice.
Don Fischer
New member
Shot my first bear with a 7mm mag. Used a 140gr Sierra bullet. Head on shot, the bullet penetrated maybe three inch's and was done. The bear was sick but still managed to go about 20yds and lay down. Took another shot in the back of the head to end it. Bullet made a pretty good size crater under the skin. Hunting preditors I'd use a match bullet but, a light one going fast. Sierra say's in their manual that match bullet's are not intended for hunting.
Saltydog235
New member
So, some of y'all are saying a pointed hunk of lead and copper traveling at 2000+ fps won't penetrate or barely penetrates a hide of a deer whose skin is not much thicker than a humans? That it'll explode on contact? Please, oh please someone explain the physics of that scenario to me, especially when compared to other equally thin jackets cup and core hunting bullets.
I've shot plenty of deer with 130grn SMK's out of a 7mm08 and 168grn AMax's in a .308. Put it in the right place on a deer and the deer dies. It's pretty simple. Heavier game requires more robust bullets, deer don't. Shot placement people.
I've shot plenty of deer with 130grn SMK's out of a 7mm08 and 168grn AMax's in a .308. Put it in the right place on a deer and the deer dies. It's pretty simple. Heavier game requires more robust bullets, deer don't. Shot placement people.
So, some of y'all are saying a pointed hunk of lead and copper traveling at 2000+ fps won't penetrate or barely penetrates a hide of a deer whose skin is not much thicker than a humans? That it'll explode on contact? Please, oh please someone explain the physics of that scenario to me, especially when compared to other equally thin jackets cup and core hunting bullets.
When a bullet breaks up in tiny pieces those pieces no longer have the mass to be able to retain enough energy to be able to penetrate far enough into the animal to reach the vital organs.
Or were you being facetious?
Saltydog235
New member
No, I was being serious. Maybe my experiences have been an anomaly for 50+ deer I've used them on but it's been lights out. No different than a 90grn NBT from a .243 exploding inside the deer or similar. Put it in the right place the deer dies, very quickly. Now, I still shoot 90's in a .243 and 168grn Amax in the .308 but my current load in the 7mm08 is a 150grn NBT or AB. Think I may give the Amax a run in the .300wsm this year too.
Now, that said, were I hunting bear or elk I'd opt for a more robust bullet. Hogs, I'll shoot with anything at hand.
Now, that said, were I hunting bear or elk I'd opt for a more robust bullet. Hogs, I'll shoot with anything at hand.
Salty I don't doubt that you've had success with them, I've read plenty of posts and articles that back that up. I've also read a few accounts of people who did not have the desired results, hence the reason I choose not to use them. With that said I've seen my share of bullet failures on game including a couple of big name makers and their premium bullets, so bullet perfomance failure is not something that can be eliminated in my opinion.
Saltydog235
New member
I've seen far more bullet failure issues with bullets like the Corloct and Silvertip than any match type bullet used on game. Again, shot placement is key no matter what you use. However poorly constructed bullets give me much more trepidation than anything that is designed to fly straight and true. I think 99% of the "it's the bullets fault/failure" crowd's excuse is just that and not the shooter taking responsibility for making a bad shot. If you want to be a better shot and by virtue hunter, admitting a persons own failures and shortcomings is the first step to correcting them.
@ Salty
I agree shot placement is king! Too many hunters blame the bullet for their failures, regardless of if it was taking a shot that is too far for their ability, a shot made in haste and not seeing a branch that could be in the path, or simply a poor angle of the animal
Notice nobody has answered my questions:
I'll also add what was the angle of the game, broadside, slight quarter away toward, Texas heart shot etc. and angle of the shoot up and down.
I agree shot placement is king! Too many hunters blame the bullet for their failures, regardless of if it was taking a shot that is too far for their ability, a shot made in haste and not seeing a branch that could be in the path, or simply a poor angle of the animal
Notice nobody has answered my questions:
what bullet, weight, caliber, muzzle velocity,distant to target animal and what species that you have seen where a bullet exploded on impact and did not penatrate the hide, and or pencil hole through and not create any hydrostatic shock.
I'll also add what was the angle of the game, broadside, slight quarter away toward, Texas heart shot etc. and angle of the shoot up and down.