Big Game Hunting

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]When it comes to Big Game hunting, selecting the right bullet is crucial for ensuring a clean, ethical kill and optimizing performance in the field. Various types of bullets are designed to cater to the size of that particular big game species, the hunting environment, and firearm type. Understanding the characteristics of our bullets will help hunters choose the most appropriate one for their needs. Of course, whichever bullet selection you make with Choice Ammunition, our loading process and testing will ensure as near to perfection as you can find in the commercial market availability. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]Accuracy is indeed critical, as is velocity and some of the science behind it all such as the ballistic coefficient, sectional density and more. But in all, we are talking about big game hunting here, not about being marksmen or in a PRS competition. Consistency, reliability and shot placement into a vital zone of that animal, at the range we are shooting, is what we are striving for. If we are in a tree stand for whitetail over our favorite food plot, this is one thing- if we are making the shot at a black bear across a canyon, that is another.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

1. Our Bonded Bullets

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInLeft” width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1723830196654{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: contain !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2130″ img_size=”400×400″ css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”55721″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”16807″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]Our bonded bullets, such as our Nosler AccuBond and Swift A-Frame and Scirocco products are specifically engineered for deep penetration and controlled expansion. They feature a lead core bonded to the bullet’s jacket, preventing separation upon impact. This design allows the bullet to retain its weight and penetrate deeply, even through tough hide and bone. Bonded bullets are ideal for hunting large, tough game like moose, elk, or bear, where maximum penetration is essential to reach vital organs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

2. Polymer-Tipped Bullets

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column css_animation=”fadeIn” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”55722″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]Polymer-tipped bullets can combine the benefits of hollow point bullets and pointed soft point bullets whether bonded or traditional cup and core. They have a polymer tip that enhances aerodynamics, improving accuracy and maintaining a flatter trajectory over long distances. Upon impact, the polymer tip drives into the lead core, initiating rapid expansion. These bullets are highly effective for hunting medium to large game at longer ranges, where precision and stopping power are critical.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

3. Lead-Free Bullets in our Barnes Line

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”24987″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”23048″ img_size=”400×400″ css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInRight” width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”16172″ img_size=”400×400″ css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]

Our Barnes line of lead-free bullets is well-known for premium, high-performance rounds used for hunting. They are distinguished by several key features:

  • All-Copper Construction: Unlike traditional bullets, which often have a lead core with a copper jacket, Barnes bullets are made entirely from solid copper or copper alloy. This design eliminates the risk of lead contamination and offers superior weight retention.
  • Expanding Design: Our Barnes bullet line, using the famous “TSX” (Triple-Shock X) or “TTSX” (Tipped Triple-Shock X), and the The Barnes “LRX” (Long-Range X) are designed to expand upon impact. They feature deep, precision-cut grooves or a polymer tip that initiates expansion. Upon impact, the bullet expands into a large, four- or six-petal shape, which increases the diameter and ensures a large wound channel. The “LRX” is designed to expand reliably at lower velocities, which can occur at extended ranges. This expansion ensures effective energy transfer and deeper penetration, increasing the likelihood of a clean, ethical kill.
  • High Penetration and Weight Retention: The solid copper construction and controlled expansion result in deep penetration, making Barnes bullets particularly effective for large or tough game animals. Barnes Bullets will maintain nearly all of its original weight throughout the deep penetration and expansion.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]Lead-free bullets are also becoming increasingly popular due to environmental and health concerns associated with lead. These bullets are typically made from materials like copper or copper alloys, which offer excellent penetration and expansion characteristics. Lead-free bullets are suitable for hunting a wide range of game and are often required in areas where lead ammunition is restricted. So in addition to being a tremendous “killing bullet”, our Barnes Hunting Line meets the requirements of “lead free” for Californai and other designated areas for this classification.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

4. Our Berger VLD-Hunting Line

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”55723″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]

This bullet is designed for long-range precision hunting. VLD stands for Very Low Drag, which refers to its streamlined design that minimizes air resistance, allowing for higher velocities and flatter trajectories.

  • The Berger VLD-Hunting bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, meaning it retains velocity better over long distances and is less affected by wind drift. This makes it ideal for long-range shots where precision is critical.
  • Upon impact, the VLD-Hunting bullet is designed to penetrate a few inches before rapidly expanding. This delayed expansion results in a large wound channel, increasing the chances of a quick, ethical kill. The combination of penetration and expansion ensures that the bullet is effective on a variety of game sizes.
  • Due to its design, the VLD-Hunting bullet is extremely accurate, especially at long ranges. Its consistency in weight and shape, combined with the high BC, ensures minimal deviation from the intended path.
  • Our Berger VLD-Hunting line is recommended for hunters who engage targets at medium to long ranges. It’s popular among those hunting large game like deer, elk, sheep, or similar-sized animals, where precision and terminal performance are crucial.

Overall, our Berger VLD-Hunting line is favored by hunters who prioritize accuracy, range, and effective terminal ballistics, making it a top choice for longer-range hunting scenarios.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

5. Our Hornady ELD-X Line

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2021″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]

  • Our Hornady ELD-X rounds offer the Heat Shield Tip: The ELD-X bullet features a heat-resistant polymer tip called the Heat Shield Tip. This tip is designed to resist deformation from aerodynamic heating, ensuring the bullet maintains its streamlined shape during flight, which contributes to its high ballistic coefficient.
  • Secant Ogive Profile: The bullet’s secant ogive profile is designed to minimize drag and improve the bullet’s aerodynamic efficiency, allowing it to maintain a flatter trajectory over longer distances.
  • InterLock® Ring: The ELD-X incorporates Hornady’s InterLock® ring, which helps the bullet expand reliably and retain weight upon impact, leading to deeper penetration and effective terminal performance.
  • Controlled Expansion: The bullet is designed to expand consistently at a wide range of velocities, making it effective for hunting at various distances.

Applications:

The ELD-X line is particularly popular among hunters who need a bullet that can perform well at extended ranges. It combines the characteristics of a match-grade bullet for accuracy with the controlled expansion needed for ethical hunting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

6. Cup and Core Bullets

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”55724″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]A cup and core bullet is a type of projectile used in firearms, particularly in rifles. It is one of the most common bullet constructions and has been used for many years. The term “cup and core” refers to the way the bullet is constructed:

  • Cup (Jacket): This is the outer shell of the bullet, typically made from a harder metal, such as copper or a copper alloy. The jacket encloses the lead core and provides structural integrity, which helps the bullet maintain its shape during firing and when passing through the barrel. The jacket also reduces barrel fouling and can improve accuracy.
  • Core: The core is usually made of lead or a lead alloy. Lead is used because it is dense and malleable, providing the mass needed for effective penetration and energy transfer upon impact. The core is seated inside the cup (jacket), and together they form the complete bullet.

Purpose and Usage

Cup and core bullets are designed to balance expansion and penetration. Upon impact, the jacket may peel back or fragment, allowing the lead core to expand and create a larger wound channel. This makes cup and core bullets popular for hunting, as they can cause significant tissue damage while still penetrating deeply enough to reach vital organs.

However, because the lead core is not bonded to the jacket, these bullets can sometimes experience separation between the jacket and core, which might reduce penetration and cause inconsistent performance. For this reason, more advanced bullet designs, such as bonded bullets or monolithic (solid) bullets, have been developed for specific applications where controlled expansion and deep penetration are crucial.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

7. Soft Point (SP) Bullets

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”55725″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInLeft” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” css=””]Soft Point bullets are still among the most popular choices for hunting at closer ranges. They feature an exposed lead core at the tip, which causes the bullet to expand upon impact. This expansion increases the wound channel, resulting in greater stopping power and a higher chance of a quick, humane kill. SP bullets are versatile and can be used for hunting a wide range of game, from deer to larger animals like elk and bear. Their ability to expand while still penetrating deep into the target makes them effective in most hunting scenarios.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]

Conclusion

Selecting the right bullet for hunting depends on various factors, including the type of game, hunting environment, and your firearm. Understanding these differences will help hunters make informed decisions and ensure successful, ethical hunts. This is why our dedicated staff and production team at Choice Ammunition produce so many options for so many needs.

Are there versatile and common rounds for most big game hunting? Absolutely! A large percentage of hunters know what has worked for them- they know what their rifle “likes”, and they simply come to us because we can make it better than what is traditionally out there for them.If something works for you, stay with it! If you think there is room for improvement, or you have had an outright failure- it is time to talk about it.

We take hundreds of calls from hunters heading into a new region, hunting a new species, have just picked up a new rifle, or many other situations where we are able to help them make sound decisions on what they may need or what they may want to try. There truly is no “bad bullet” that we load. They are all tremendous for taking big game animals. But we do offer a “Choice” of what can work best and most efficiently for your coming hunt. 

We thank you for your time and for your business, we truly appreciate it![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”55718″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[]