One Factory Bullet?

[jetboatinghunter]

I am in the process of purchasing a .300 magnum, and will top it with a Leupold VX III 4.5-14.  I am planning on getting the CDS dials. 

I want to figure out which bullet shoots best out of it, then go and buy the dials for it.  I want one bullet, that will shoot elk, mule deer, bears and the occasional moose.  I get confused when I look at all of the different offerings.  I don't handload, so it would have to be something I could buy over the counter.  I would like the ability to shoot to  50-500 yards, and consistently kill something.  I have looked at the Bergers, E-Tips, Accubonds, Interbonds, etc.  I am kind of old school, and like the Nosler Partitions, but it seems to me they may have faded out? 

If you guys had to shoot one bullet for everything, for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Thanks!

[Curly]

Factory ammo........I'd start with Federal Premium 168 gr Barnes TTSX or 180 gr Accubond and see which shoots best.

[Gutpile]

Accubond, Interbond, or scirroco for me I'd want the best long range performance with that rig. Barnes are good but the BC is so bad compared to the others I wouldnt choose them for a long range bullet.

BTW, you dont have to buy the dial for the CDS, its free. You call them with the load information, elevation where you hunt, average temp and they send the dial for free.

[Fowlweather25]

Bergers for me! Love em and one bullet put the smack down on my whitey this year at 653 yds out of my 7 mag! Hsm sells them in factory loads!

[Gutpile]

Those would be something to think about for sure. Im working up a load in my 7STW and will be trying them.

[Fowlweather25]

  I think you'll love em!

[addicted]

I think the diehard partition fans are still buying them but i think new guys coming in are looking for bullets with better BC's for longer range shooting which is getting more popular.


Accubond, perfect combination of high BC, bonded toughness, and mushroomability.

It would be wicked if they made a partition with a polymer tip and a boattail, but hat would be one long stinking bullet because some of the lead space is taken up by the copper "partition".

[300rum]

What I have done, and works very well, is to buy 5 or 6 boxes of bullets from the different manufacturers.  Shoot all of them (all the same grain bullet, say 180’s) and find out what groups the best in your rifle.  Don't get caught up in all of the hype, if Remington Core-lokt's group the best, shoot them exclusively and don't worry about the rest. 

It is a little expensive to begin with but once you know, you know, and it will be significantly less expensive then loading your own unless you shoot thousands of rounds/year.   

[KenPCPilot]

My only advice is my guns seem picky and you have to sample brands till you find some that works well.  My .300 shoots Remington Scirrocos best.  They are almost $60.00 a box but so far it has been the best grouping ammo. 

[PA BEN]

Found this on youtube. Good info on bullets.

[Biggerhammer]

Personal preference, I don't feel you need a Barnes in the larger calibers. Smaller calibers yes. When a stout bullet is needed to Handle higher velocity impacts of lighter bullets and still provide penetration the Barnes fits the bill but so do others, barnes sure the hell isn't the cure all. As for .30 cal, any of the quality 150gr+ bullets will do what your asking it to do. Funny how many guys I see, that are new to hunting in the gun shop purchasing a new rifle for hunting buying factory ammo loaded with Barnes bullets, talking about how great the Barnes bullet is. When they have never even pulled the trigger on a big game animal. Barnes has done well with their advertising.

I have taken many big game animals over the last 25 years and I have used many bullets in the process. I was very fond of the Hornady Interlocks in the early years and still am but due to success in the field and accuracy Nosler has been my mainstay for many years and I have no doubt whatsoever  when a Accubond is snuggly seated in the chamber, no matter what weight or bore diameter. Through first hand experience from point blank to extended ranges the Accubond kills like lightning and is just as accurate.

Then again Remington green box factory ammo accounts for more big game animals stuffed in the dirt per year than probably all other factory ammo combined and what bullet are they running in their basic stuff?  CORE-LOKT!

[JohnVH]

the FIRST CDS dial is free, after that its 50 or 60 bucks for each additional one

[jackelope]

My .300 win mag shoots 180 Accubonds lights out. I'm not big into the long range stuff so I don't know about details regarding that, but they work for me.

[bobcat]

Core Lokts come apart too easily and for that reason I would never recommend them to any serious hunter. Sure they work but why use a 2nd rate bullet when there are so many other better choices? Now at lower velocities they will do just fine, so that would be at longer distances, but if you're using them for long range shooting you've still got the wrong bullet because their BC's aren't that good. I really don't think you can go wrong with a Nosler Accubond or a Hornady Interbond, just go with whichever shoots best in your rifle. Barnes are great bullets too if you're not concerned with havign the very best BC's. A Barnes will penetrate all the way through an elk no matter the angle or the distance. For deer not so necessary but if you're talking elk, then that's more reason to go with Barnes. BC's don't really make any significant difference until you get well out past 400 yards shots, so for most people it does not matter.

[Bob33]

AccubotBarnes are good but the BC is so bad compared to the others I wouldnt choose them for a long range bullet.

The difference in trajectory at 500 yards between a 180 grain bullet at 2960 ft/sec zeroed at 250 yards with a BC of .4, and one with a BC of .5 is about 3".