A simple rule is "The bigger the game, the bigger the bullet".
Our entire bullet line is designed for the quick, humane harvesting of game. That's
why we started and that is still our main goal. We want everything shot with our
bullets to die as quickly as possible.
For deer sized game we suggest that you shoot the weight of bullet that shoots
the very best in your rifle. Shots at deer can vary in distance from 20 to several
hundred yards. Select the bullet to suit the hunting circumstance but we strongly
suggest the Keith Nose Hollow Point, Semi Spitzer Hollow Point, Silver Lightning
or the Ultimate 1 Hollow Point. Any of these bullets will get the job done immediately
for this sized game.
The Extreme and the Spitzer HP are probably the best compromise bullets; offering
explosive expansion and flat shooting.
Flatliner Hollow Points are more specialized and will kill game cleanly but not
instantly.
Our QT Polymer Tip line are the ticket for open shots at
any distance. The Polymer Tip forces the bullet to open on impact regardless of
the remaining velocity while enhancing downrange energy and flat shooting. QT
bullets should not be shot through cover as the bullet will expand before it reaches
it's target. The Dead Center were designed to "shoot
through" game therefore generating an entrance and exit hole to aid in recovery.
All weights of Dead Center bullets have been used with excellent success.
For bears every thing we make will work fine. Because the distance that most bears
are shot at is very close, we suggest that you select the heaviest bullet that
your rifle will shoot. Don't be concerned about absolute accuracy. This is the
only game animal where I would suggest that you select one size heavier bullet
than your rifle will shoot with absolute accuracy. We have harvested bears with
all our bullets and the results were always the same. Very short distance to recovery
with a massive blood trail to follow.
For elk I would suggest any of the Ultimate 1 conicals except the Keith Nose HP.
The Ultimate 1 is available in sizes up to 450 grains.
In a saboted bullet, I would use either the QT Polymer Tip
or the Extreme in 360 or 400 grain
. When selecting the weight, consider that you are shooting
at a lung that is almost 12" x 12". I would tend to sacrifice some accuracy for
bullet weight. Even if your rifle will group in the 3"-4" range at 100 yards with
the heavier bullet, that is sufficient for the target size that you are shooting.
Big, heavy bullets have the momentum required to plow through large bones and
tissue. These bullets have proven to be very effective on large animals giving
deep penetration with controlled expansion. Remember "the heavier the game, the
heavier the bullet". My Dead Center choices for Elk would
be the heaviest bullet made in each caliber that would shoot well. If the 300
Dead Center .44 shot better than the 240 .40 they would be my choice. If the 340
Dead Center .45 shot better than the 300 .44, then they would become my choice.
Moose are very large animals and often offer difficult shot angles. A large moose
can be twice the size of a bull elk. Moose should only be hunted with Solids.
In a conical bullet, I would select a 450 grain Ultimate 1 Semi Spitzer Solid
or Keith Nose Solid.
In a saboted bullet, I would select 400 grain Keith Nose
Plinker, 400 grain Semi Spitzer Plinker or our new 330 grain LBT Hard Cast. These
are huge animals that require a lot of penetration. This is one game animal where
it's better to error on the side of penetration rather than expansion.
340 Dead Center .45 would be my only Dead
Center choice for large Canadian or Yukon-Alaska sized moose.
Thanks to Tom D. from Utah for that question and I hope that I have answered it
to your satisfaction.
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