Monolithic vs bonded

[Gabulldog91]

The Mrs wants to go on a Buffalo hunt, reached out to a place that is relatively close to us. One of the requirements to hunt this 25,000 acre ranch is .30 cal 165gr minimum and it has to be a bonded or solid copper projectile. Im currently running the 225 ELDM in my 300 PRC. Someone must have put a bad taste in the owner's mouth with them because he explicitly said No ELD projectiles.

As for the hunt goes I have absolutly no clue how it will go. Owner said that it's not overly difficult to get close but made it seem like 400-800 yard shot would be a highly likely.

I have 0 experience with bonded bullets and very little with the solid copper stuff, what is yalls recommendation for projectiles?

 

[Broz]

First I have only found one solid that I would use for hunting to suit my needs. Those are the Cutting Edge Lazer Max bullets.

Second. A cup core jacketed bullet will stone a 2000 lb Buffalo. https://www.longrangeonly.com/forum...dgeline-215-berger-and-a-2000lb-buffalo.3966/

 

[Gabulldog91]

First I have only found one solid that I would use for hunting to suit my needs. Those are the Cutting Edge Lazer Max bullets.

Second. A cup core jacketed bullet will stone a 2000 lb Buffalo. https://www.longrangeonly.com/forum...dgeline-215-berger-and-a-2000lb-buffalo.3966/

I would much prefer to shoot a cupped core Bullet, more so just trying to keep the peice with this gentlemen, if this goes well I see us making multiple trips out to this ranch.

Is there a particular Lazer that you would recommend? Was looking at the 200 and 220.

 

[Broz]

We killed a half dozen or so Bulls last year with the 265 gr from a 338 Terminator. I recommend a center shoulder shot with them. It anchored the bulls we used them on when we shot the shoulder

 

[FURMAN]

I personally would not hunt with someone trying to dictate my bullet choice unless it was dangerous game in Africa. If you’re hell bent on going with these people I would choose a larger bonded bullet over a smaller mono as I’m guessing you don’t have the twist needed for a heavier mono. I’ve never been able to get one to meet my accuracy requirements though so you're in a tough spot.

 

[Gabulldog91]

I personally would not hunt with someone trying to dictate my bullet choice unless it was dangerous game in Africa. If you’re hell bent on going with these people I would choose a larger bonded bullet over a smaller mono as I’m guessing you don’t have the twist needed for a heavier mono. I’ve never been able to get one to meet my accuracy requirements though so your in a tough spot.

To keep a long story short, we actually planned this hunt 2 years ago. Life happened and we had to bail on it last minute, he gave us a partial refund and said that if we re-booked we could use the money that he kept towards another hunt with him in the future. So instead of loosing out on our money we re booked, when we first booked with him there was not any sort of restrcition at all. Im not sure what happened between now and then but I can only assume it wasn't good.

At the end of the day, they are good people because they kept their word 2 years later.

But I would also agree if the restrictions were in place originally we wouldn't have booked.

Rifle is a bergara hmr 1:9 twist so your right about not having a fast enough barrel.

 

[Gord0]

.308 200gr SINGLE FEED Lazer-Tipped Hollow Point - 50ct GEN2

50ct This is a SINGLE FEED bullet. Our Lazer line is a high BC, tipped hollow point hunting bullet designed for excellent long range accuracy and devastating terminal performance. These bullets are all manufactured out of lead-free, solid copper bar stock on a CNC Swiss style lathe.

cuttingedgebullets.com

Single feed, but says will work in a 1 in 9. They also have a more standard 180gr offering, but I'd want the extra weight.

 

[Gabulldog91]

.308 200gr SINGLE FEED Lazer-Tipped Hollow Point - 50ct GEN2

50ct This is a SINGLE FEED bullet. Our Lazer line is a high BC, tipped hollow point hunting bullet designed for excellent long range accuracy and devastating terminal performance. These bullets are all manufactured out of lead-free, solid copper bar stock on a CNC Swiss style lathe.

cuttingedgebullets.com

Single feed, but says will work in a 1 in 9. They also have a more standard 180gr offering, but I'd want the extra weight.

I want a 200gr minimum, going to look at options on the bonded side

 

[Gord0]

I want a 200gr minimum, going to look at options on the bonded side

That CEB Lazer would meet your minimum. Personally I'd go with the CEB mono over a bonded, but that's just a personal preference. I've never got stellar accuracy out of bonded bullets.

 

[AXEFORCE6]

I did some load development with 210 accubond long ranges. In my 300wm and wasn’t super impressed with them. I believe I got them right at 1 MOA in a rifle that shot 200 eld-x’s in the .3’s. Sure it’ll be hard to find them. I only used one powder for them as well so you may have better luck than me. If you can find the standard accubond that’s a great killing bullet.

 

[Lancetkenyon]

Regular Nosler Accubond. I have never had great luck with the NABLRs in ANY flavor.

I have had mixed results with monos too. Everything we have shot with various monos died, but I have not been real impressed.

 

[FURMAN]

Based on what I see available I would try the CEB 200 grain lazer. It may not fit in you magazine though.

 

[Triple BB]

A friend has done several buffalo hunts primarily because he wanted the meat. He said each one was like shooting a cow. There was no hunting involved and the buffalo just stood there at close range. If that's case, pick a bonded bullet and run with it. Nosler Accubonds are one of my favorites.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Don’t get so hung up on heavy weights with a mono bullet.

They typically run light for caliber and still penetrate deeper than a cup/core or bonded bullet.

It ain’t sexy but if you could find a Swift A Frame bullet that would be a good choice as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Gabulldog91]

A friend has done several buffalo hunts primarily because he wanted the meat. He said each one was like shooting a cow. There was no hunting involved and the buffalo just stood there at close range. If that's case, pick a bonded bullet and run with it. Nosler Accubonds are one of my favorites.

That seems to be the case eith most places and I hope that's the way this one works, but he says these have very little interaction with people so they are a bit more cagey than normal. She wants the meat primarily but also wants a rug made from the hide.

 

[Josip89]

Not bad choice is new Hornady 190 CX

 

[6.5x47]

I'll be the voice of lone dissent. The Barnes 175 LRX, 180 TTSX or 190 LRX all meet the requirements layed out for weight, accuracy and twist rate. I've never had an issue getting a Barnes Bullet to shoot 1/2 moa or better. Plenty of accuracy in case you need to take a long shot and yet a close shot won't destroy the bullet. Even loosing petals due to a close shot with lots of impact velocity will leave a major amount of weight in the shank, continuing to penetrate through. Normal weight retention is 98-100%. Talked to a shooter this week. Hit his WT buck, Texas heart shot, with a 130 gr TTSX from a 30-06 at a MV of 3300 fps. Distance was "close" yards. Bullet did a complete end to end, retaining 100% weight, stopping under brisket hide. Perfect Barnes mushroom. Some bring forth stores of pass throughs with zero expansion. If that happened, bullet was of old design, hit something such as a twig, etc., before impact, compromising expansion ability of the bullet or impact velocity was below minimum velocity needed for expansion. The 175 and 190 LRX minimum velocity for expansion to 1.7x original bullet diameter is, IIRC, 1600 or 1700 fps. Add 100 fps and you'll see 2x expansion of the original bullet diameter. The 180 TTSX's minimum is 1500 fps. ALL Barnes Bullets are designed, tested, manufactured to fully expand within the first 1" to 1.5" of initial impact. I would suggest the 208 LRX but your 1:9" twist is not enough. I'm seeing .25 to .5 moa groups out to 1000 yds from my 300 PRC. I realize i'm some times in the company of Berger and Hammer advocates. Give Barnes Bullets a call on Monday and talk to them.

 

[dennisinaz]

There are a lot of good bullets that meet the requirements set forth. My experience with monos is that they kill much slower than a jacketed expanding bullet. I'm a huge fan of Partitions. Call him and ask if you can use them. Most bonded bullets are not suitable for " 400-800 yard shots". If you're shooting less than 300, i would look at TBBC, A-Frame and maybe a heavier Accubond. I killed a bunch of animals in Africa with 150 Partitions. Never an issue.

 

[Gabulldog91]

There are a lot of good bullets that meet the requirements set forth. My experience with monos is that they kill much slower than a jacketed expanding bullet. I'm a huge fan of Partitions. All him if you can use them. Most bonded bullets are not suitable for " 400-800 yard shots". If you're shooting less than 300, i would look at TBBC, A-Frame and maybe a heavier Accubond. I killed a bunch of animals in Africa with 150 Partitions. Never an issue.

I've killed probably 30 or 40 whitetails with a portion in my 260 rem. Never had any issues with them but also all shots were sub 50 yards.

 

[JTH]

Before I started reloading I was using Fiochi brand ammo, running the 180 grain Swift Scirocco 2 in my 300 win mag. They were 1/2 moa in that rifle and had great terminal results out to 550 yards on elk.

I’m shooting the 178 Absolute Hammer in my 300 wm now (it’s a 10 twist) and it’s great out to 500 yards, beyond that the wind starts to degrade its accuracy.Terminal performance has been excellent.

In my 300 PRC I tried several mono’s and the best I loaded was the 195 grain Badlands SBD2, It has an advertised G7 bc of 0.345 which checked out based on shot drops to 600 yds. I got it to shoot under 4” at 600 running 3,020 fps in a 24” 9 twist barrel, that might be one to look at if you want to go with a mono. It was a little more accurate at 2950 fps.

 

[Gabulldog91]

I ended up going with the CEB 200gr Lazer. Thanks for everyone's recommendations!

 

[Broz]

I ended up going with the CEB 200gr Lazer. Thanks for everyone's recommendations!

Wait until you get your hands on those. Man they are a work of art.

 

[Quicksilver]

Wait until you get your hands on those. Man they are a work of art.

I have some on the shelf but am not using currently, I still open them just to fondle them sometimes.

 

[Mark Dille]

I see you've narrowed down your choice. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[Gabulldog91]

I see you've narrowed down your choice. Good luck on your hunt!

Thank you!