Why Match/Target Bullets For Hunting

[FCCDerek]

I guess the U.S. Army lied to me for many years. Is the above what they told you in all of the International Humanitarian Law and Law of War training you attended? I also never once laid eyes on a bullet that wasn't an FMJ.

Mk118LR and MK262 are OTM's.

 

[ElPollo]

Mk118LR and MK262 are OTM's.

Those are FMJs disguised as hollow point match bullets and aren’t the same critter as the match bullets discussed in this thread by a long shot.

 

[FCCDerek]

Those are FMJs disguised as hollow point match bullets and aren’t the same critter as the match bullets discussed in this thread by a long shot.

Yes, but they're technically not an FMJ. Their likelihood of fragmenting and causing significant trauma is worlds higher than a traditional FMJ. They work well on meaty 2 leggers, much better than FMJ's. I don't advocate SMK's for a hunting bullet, but for combat they're far superior to a traditional FMJ.

 

[ElPollo]

Yes, but they're technically not an FMJ. Their likelihood of fragmenting and causing significant trauma is worlds higher than a traditional FMJ. They work well on meaty 2 leggers, much better than FMJ's. I don't advocate SMK's for a hunting bullet, but for combat they're far superior to a traditional FMJ.

Two leggers have never been my thing so I can’t speak to that. I do use SMKs for practice. Have never hunted with them. Only passing on what I’ve seen from gel tests and heard from others. I am a big fan of TMKs and ELDMs for hunting and I’m glad to see this thread come back up again.

 

[FCCDerek]

Two leggers have never been my thing so I can’t speak to that. I do use SMKs for practice. Have never hunted with them. Only passing on what I’ve seen from gel tests and heard from others. I am a big fan of TMKs and ELDMs for hunting and I’m glad to see this thread come back up again.

Absolutely, SMK's are superb practice rounds. I use them almost exclusively for practice. Mk262's are my go to ammo in my AR's. Defensively as well, I don't reload for my AR's and they are more than suitable for a defensive load outside the home. Inside the home its a 53gr VMAX. I agree thoroughly for hunting, ELDM's and TMK's are superb. One cannot go wrong with them so long as you can shoot them well. If ya can't no bullet of any sort will make up for that difference.

 

[JGood]

Is there any difference in the .308 168 ELDM vs the 168 TMK? Same sectional density...same G7 BC...

 

[PBBananaHammock]

Is there any difference in the .308 168 ELDM vs the 168 TMK? Same sectional density...same G7 BC...

Eldm has a thinner jacket, tmk has a larger hollow point. Tmk seems to hold together better at higher velocities in my experience. That hollow point size varies across calibers, so not sure if that assessment is always consistent.

Edit: I believe tmks are also physically longer than eldms of equal weight if that makes a difference to you.

 

[wind gypsy]

Edit: I believe tmks are also physically longer than eldms of equal weight if that makes a difference to you.

That is not consistent across the bullet lines. Example: 75 ELDm is longer than a 77 TMK.

 

[Unckebob]

@Formidilosus driving back from a business trip, I heard an old episode of the podcast where you explained why bullets like the Eldm kill well.
In passing, you mentioned the Eldx a few times.

In your opinion, is there a material difference in performance between the two bullets for hunting (example: 147g eldm vs 143g Eldx)? I have a stash of Eldx bullets in various calibers for reloading.

Btw. You convinced me not to switch to mono-metal bullets.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus driving back from a business trip, I heard an old episode of the podcast where you explained why bullets like the Eldm kill well.
In passing, you mentioned the Eldx a few times.

In your opinion, is there a material difference in performance between the two bullets for hunting (example: 147g eldm vs 143g Eldx)? I have a stash of Eldx bullets in various calibers for reloading.

Most people would not see a difference in animals. However, between those- if both are laying side by side, I will choose the 143gr RLD-X first.

Btw. You convinced me not to switch to mono-metal bullets.

Haha. How/why so?

 

[PBBananaHammock]

That is not consistent across the bullet lines. Example: 75 ELDm is longer than a 77 TMK.

Thank you, that’s good to know. Makes sense given the 77s intent to be used with AR action lengths.

 

[yeti12]

Most people would not see a difference in animals. However, between those- if both are laying side by side, I will choose the 143gr RLD-X first.






Haha. How/why so?

Why the 143 eldx over the 147 eldm?

 

[Harvey_NW]

Why the 143 eldx over the 147 eldm?

You mean 143 RLD-X?

 

[deltadukman]

Most people would not see a difference in animals. However, between those- if both are laying side by side, I will choose the 143gr RLD-X first.

Wait, I was under the impression that you as well as everyone else on here much preferred the 147 eld-m vs the 143 eld-x. I'm so confused.

 

[Chode223]

Wait, I was under the impression that you as well as everyone else on here much preferred the 147 eld-m vs the 143 eld-x. I'm so confused.

I’m confused too. But to be honest I’m having difficulty keeping the story straight between the 6.5 bullets tipped ones like eldm - 140, 147, eldx, tmk and even the untipped bullets like the Berger EH as well.

What are the meaningful differences in terminal performance across the different match style bullets at hunting ranges?

My guess is that there are a few technical nuances, but that for most of us it really won’t matter and pick the one your bullet shoots best.

Amiright?

 

[Formidilosus]

Why the 143 eldx over the 147 eldm?

Wait, I was under the impression that you as well as everyone else on here much preferred the 147 eld-m vs the 143 eld-x. I'm so confused.

I’m confused too. But to be honest I’m having difficulty keeping the story straight between the 6.5 bullets tipped ones like eldm - 140, 147, eldx, tmk and even the untipped bullets like the Berger EH as well.

What are the meaningful differences in terminal performance across the different match style bullets at hunting ranges?

My guess is that there are a few technical nuances, but that for most of us it really won’t matter and pick the one your bullet shoots best.

To all-


There are relatively small differences between the 140gr and 147gr ELD-M and 143gr ELD-X for most users. The 147gr ELD-M has a slightly thicker jacket right at the nose and this sometimes can result in slightly less then optimized bullet upset. Because of that, I prefer the 140gr ELD-M and 143gr ELD-X as they do not have the thicker jacket at the nose.

The 130gr TMK is my preference overall as it’s wound like is what I prefer. It has a slightly thicker jacket but a larger tip opening- this results in a bit deep penetration at higher impact velocities, and still a bit better upset at lower impact velocities.

The OTM (open tip match) bullets suck as Bergers- generally work through the nose collapsing and then fragmenting at high verity, and a slight yaw and fragmentation at lower impact velocity. In rather case it is typical to have a 3-6” long back length before bullet use starts.



Overall- between ELD-M and X’s, TMK’s, etc; pick the one that is most easily and often available.

 

[Conrad]

To all-


There are relatively small differences between the 140gr and 147gr ELD-M and 143gr ELD-X for most users. The 147gr ELD-M has a slightly thicker jacket right at the nose and this sometimes can result in slightly less then optimized bullet upset. Because of that, I prefer the 140gr ELD-M and 143gr ELD-X as they do not have the thicker jacket at the nose.

The 130gr TMK is my preference overall as it’s wound like is what I prefer. It has a slightly thicker jacket but a larger tip opening- this results in a bit deep penetration at higher impact velocities, and still a bit better upset at lower impact velocities.

The OTM (open tip match) bullets suck as Bergers- generally work through the nose collapsing and then fragmenting at high verity, and a slight yaw and fragmentation at lower impact velocity. In rather case it is typical to have a 3-6” long back length before bullet use starts.



Overall- between ELD-M and X’s, TMK’s, etc; pick the one that is most easily and often available.

What about the elite hunters?

 

[Formidilosus]

What about the elite hunters?

They will all have the same general behavior.

 

[Conrad]

They will all have the same general behavior.

Right but will they open better than OTMs? Thinner jacket up front vs OTM? Etc.

 

[Formidilosus]

Right but will they open better than OTMs? Thinner jacket up front vs OTM? Etc.

They are OTM’s.