General Ammo categories: school me

[Sierra Hunter]

Looking to learn the basics on what ammo is out there and general groups/categories. I’ve typically just bought hunting rounds based off grain, availability and marketing and because I’m in CA copper and then stick with what my rifles shoot well. Curious when people talk about monos, partions, long range ammo etc how to generally think and or group that ammo and how large a difference that makes. I try and shoot Barnes vor-tx out of my rifles because it’s available and seems to do the trick but again would like to learn more about the why.
Thanks!

 

[Adam Gibbs]

Most any bullet in the right spot on an animal is going to do the job. Some people are going to prioritize certain characteristics of how they want their bullet to perform compared to others. For instance, some guys want great weight retention and deep penetration with an exit wound. In my eyes, that's where your copper bullets and bonded bullets come into play.

Other guys, shooting the same animal, may want explosive wound channels and tissue damage and could care less about weight retention and exit wounds. Thats where you're seeing guys using match bullets and having great results. See the 223 thread for some unique data points.

Somewhere in the middle are the guys using core lokts, powerpoints, fusions and interlocks.

Funny thing is, as long as the person knows their skill and limitations, they all seem to work. As you probably know a poor shooter with a premium bullet is still likely to have problems killing game. I believe we, myself included, probably ovethink the cartridge and bullet selection thing way too much. Id say find what your gun shoots well, buy a whole shit load of it and know your rifle and your personal limitations.

 

[ODB]

Non-bonded cup and core: A copper cup stuffed with lead (Ballistic tip, sierra, etc) Stays togetehr better usually at low velocity - comes apart at high velocity. Weatherby found this out in the 60s. It's also (my opinion) why the 7mm Rem Mag has a hot/cold reputation.

Bonded cup and core: Same as above but the lead is fused/bonded to the core (woodleigh/Accubond) stays together better.

Non-bonded partition: has a front half and a back half of lead inside copper H shape shell. Nosler Partition. Front half often comes apart but back half is protected. Better penetration/retention. The first real premium bullet.

Bonded partition: same as above but both 'halves' of lead sections are bonded to the copper. Swift A-Frames. Very high weight retention, bone smashing power. Popular on heavy african animals.

Copper shank/lead nose: Solid copper rear half with lead nose - usually bonded. Speer Trophy Bonded or North Fork (may favorite in my 9.3). High weight retention/penetration.

All copper: self-explanatory.

I know people who have used all type with good success on animals from prarie dogs to Cape Buffalo. Nowadays though it seems a fully bonded or all copper seem to be the popular options for those in the know…

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Non-bonded cup and core: A copper cup stuffed with lead (Ballistic tip, sierra, etc) Stays togetehr better usually at low velocity - comes apart at high velocity. Weatherby found this out in the 60s. It's also (my opinion) why the 7mm Rem Mag has a hot/cold reputation.

Bonded cup and core: Same as above but the lead is fused/bonded to the core (woodleigh/Accubond) stays together better.

Non-bonded partition: has a front half and a back half of lead inside copper H shape shell. Nosler Partition. Front half often comes apart but back half is protected. Better penetration/retention. The first real premium bullet.

Bonded partition: same as above but both 'halves' of lead sections are bonded to the copper. Swift A-Frames. Very high weight retention, bone smashing power. Popular on heavy african animals.

Copper shank/lead nose: Solid copper rear half with lead nose - usually bonded. Speer Trophy Bonded or North Fork (may favorite in my 9.3). High weight retention/penetration.

All copper: self-explanatory.

I know people who have used all type with good success on animals from prarie dogs to Cape Buffalo. Nowadays though it seems a fully bonded or all copper seem to be the popular options for those in the know…

Thank you, very helpful