What Goes into Picking the Right Bullet, Part 2

I read really enjoyed both parts/posts. You wrote it so it was very understandable and still very informative. It was also all about the real nuts and bolts of bullet performance and not the political garbage a lot of posts degrade into. For me they were probably the two best posts I have read.

Dave
 
Left Hand Dave said:
I read really enjoyed both parts/posts. You wrote it so it was very understandable and still very informative. It was also all about the real nuts and bolts of bullet performance and not the political garbage a lot of posts degrade into. For me they were probably the two best posts I have read.

Dave
Click to expand...
I appreciate that feedback.
 
Funny, but short range small game hunters often have this same argument. It usually goes something like this:

Head shots only and you don't need expanding bullets

We use expanding bullets because not every shot is a head shot

You should always shoot the head

Sometimes a body shot is the only shot you get

You should be patient and wait for the head shot

Not while they are running away

Don't spook them, you inbred lamebrain!

Solid points don't put them down fast enough

Shot placement! You don't need expansion

Your head needs expansion

Your mama likes solid points
 
Last edited:
Jon Bischof said:
Funny, but short range small game hunters often have this same argument. It usually goes something like this:

Head shots only and you don't need expanding bullets

We use expanding bullets because not every shot is a head shot

You should always shoot the head

Sometimes a body shot is the only shot you get

You should be patient and wait for the head shot

Not while they are running away

Don't spook them, you inbred lamebrain!

Solid points don't put them down fast enough

Shot placement! You don't need expansion

Your head needs expansion

Your mama likes solid points
Click to expand...
In my experience, headshots can be tricky, to put it delicately. There's always a chance for bullet deflection off the skull, and overall its just a smaller target. There's always that possibility for a shot to not happen as intended and to be off your mark a bit. Giving yourself less margin of error just puts more odds against you. Sure, the closer you are the less likely it is to miss, but it doesn't mean its still not a plausibility.

I get your point though. There's always some difference of opinion and someone that thinks you're overthinking things and that there's a better/easier way. There's typically two, maybe three, sides to it- those that overthink it, and those that underthink it. The third would be those in between that just like to be rational and logical lol.
 
LongRangeJumper said:
Very long read, so happy you posted a PDF! I will finish later on laptop. Maybe Teri would be nice enough to make a thread about bullet placement of where and why as well as if using a bad choice of bullet results. I'm not a hunter(yet) but always wanting to learn and understand these things better.
Thanks to both posts of the info.
Click to expand...
I have written about bullet placement, how to do it, as well as how to judge wind and range over the years. Seems that few are interested in reading about how to properly shoot, just elaborate on their custom rifles, custom ammo and how they take up so much time loading their ammo. If anybody is actually interested in how to shoot, while I am good at it and have been an instructor for some 55 years I readily admit that I do not know all, but I know a lot that many have seemed to have forgotten. While playing with modern gadgets, it's not a panacea. Having to rely on gadgets, especially battery operated ones, can let you down on the hunt of a lifetime, or the shot on the trophy of your life. If anyone is interested in an article about shooting and being able to hit their target PM me. Also feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions that I may be able to help you with.
 
Jon Bischof said:
Funny, but short range small game hunters often have this same argument. It usually goes something like this:

Head shots only and you don't need expanding bullets

We use expanding bullets because not every shot is a head shot

You should always shoot the head

Sometimes a body shot is the only shot you get

You should be patient and wait for the head shot

Not while they are running away

Don't spook them, you inbred lamebrain!

Solid points don't put them down fast enough

Shot placement! You don't need expansion

Your head needs expansion

Your mama likes solid points
Click to expand...
Heard all of those over the years. There is one good one, or at least part of a good one. That would be to be patient. Mostly these are for trying to explain why you missed a shot. :cool:
 
Teri Anne said:
I have written about bullet placement, how to do it, as well as how to judge wind and range over the years. Seems that few are interested in reading about how to properly shoot, just elaborate on their custom rifles, custom ammo and how they take up so much time loading their ammo. If anybody is actually interested in how to shoot, while I am good at it and have been an instructor for some 55 years I readily admit that I do not know all, but I know a lot that many have seemed to have forgotten. While playing with modern gadgets, it's not a panacea. Having to rely on gadgets, especially battery operated ones, can let you down on the hunt of a lifetime, or the shot on the trophy of your life. If anyone is interested in an article about shooting and being able to hit their target PM me. Also feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions that I may be able to help you with.
Click to expand...
Terri Anne, You are certainly right about the best place to aim on deer if you want them down fast and damage little to no meat. High behind the shoulder every time. I have decades of confirmation on that precise placement putting them down quickly without any damaged meat. Most fall where they are standing or within 5 Yards if they are moving.

Absolutely no need in busting through scapula to put them down and out; but that is the easy button for many who have used it; but it isn't any better than the same shot behind the scapula.
 

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