Choosing the Right Bullet for the Hunt: A Deep Dive into Terminal Ballistics for the Serious Rifleman
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In precision hunting, bullet selection isn't just about brand preference—it's about terminal performance under specific conditions. For reloaders and long-range hunters running custom rifles, understanding how different bullets behave at various distances—and especially on tough, bone-crushing hits—is essential.
At Redleg, we’re constantly asked:
“What bullet should I use for elk, mule deer, or bear—especially if I might shoot anywhere from 75 yards to 600?”
This is your complete guide to bullet performance in the field—from cup & core to bonded, monolithic, and long-range expansion bullets like the ELD-X and Berger Hybrid Hunter. Whether you're chasing elk in the breaks, deer across bean fields, or antelope on the plains, this guide will help you match the bullet to the mission.
🔍 Bullet Types and How They Work
🟤 Cup & Core
Classic jacketed lead-core bullets (e.g., Hornady Interlock, Sierra GameKing)
Pros: Accurate, cost-effective, wide expansion at moderate velocity.
Cons: May fragment at high speed; jacket/core separation on bone.
Best Use: Whitetail, mule deer, antelope at 100–400 yards.
🟡 Bonded Bullets
Core and jacket are fused together to prevent separation (e.g., Nosler AccuBond, Swift Scirocco II, Federal Terminal Ascent)
Pros: High weight retention (80–90%), reliable expansion, bone-tough.
Cons: Slightly less frangible on lighter game. More expensive.
Best Use: Elk, moose, bear, or mixed-range hunts where shots vary from 75 to 500+ yards.
🟢 Monolithic (Solid Copper)
Made from a single piece of copper or gilding metal (e.g., Barnes TTSX, Hornady CX, Lapua Naturalis)
Pros: 95–100% weight retention, deep penetration, legal in lead-restricted zones.
Cons: Require higher impact velocity (~2,000 fps+) to expand. Can “pencil through” at low speed.
Best Use: Tough animals, bone hits, all-weather reliability.
🔴 Long-Range Expansion Bullets
Hybrid designs that expand reliably at lower velocities (e.g., Hornady ELD-X, Berger Hybrid Hunter, Hornady SST)
Pros: High ballistic coefficients (BC), designed for expansion at long range (as low as 1,600 fps).
Cons: Can over-expand or fragment at high speeds/close range. Poor bone performance.
Best Use: Mule deer, antelope, open-country shots past 300 yards.
⚙️ Expansion Velocity Thresholds
Expansion only occurs if the bullet hits at or above its design velocity:
Bullet Type | Minimum Impact Velocity for Expansion |
Cup & Core | ~1,600–1,800 fps |
Bonded | ~1,700–1,900 fps |
Solid Copper (Mono) | ~1,950–2,200 fps |
ELD-X / Berger | ~1,600–1,800 fps |
If your velocity at impact drops below the threshold (especially beyond 500–600 yards), expansion may fail—leading to reduced wound channels and over-penetration with minimal internal trauma.
💥 Real-World: Do Long-Range Bullets Hold Up at Close Range?
Here’s the million-dollar question:
“If I’m using a .300 PRC or 28 Nosler, and a bull steps out at 80 yards—will a Berger or ELD-X hold together if I hit the shoulder?”
Short Answer: Probably not.
❌ Hornady ELD-X
Not bonded.
May fragment on impact at magnum speeds inside 100 yards.
Jacket and core can separate on shoulder hits, reducing penetration.
❌ Berger Hybrid Hunter / VLD Hunting
Thin-jacketed, soft-lead core design.
Intended to penetrate a few inches, then violently fragment.
Lethal on double-lung shots, but not reliable for bone-breaking or quartering shots.
Bottom Line: Long-range expansion bullets work best at long ranges—not for shoulder hits at 50–150 yards with a magnum.
✅ Bullets That Work at All Ranges (50–600 yards)
Looking for a bullet that performs whether your shot is across a canyon or at 75 yards in the timber? You want a bonded or monolithic design with controlled expansion and structural integrity.
Top Performers:
Bullet | Type | Strength |
Nosler AccuBond | Bonded | Reliable on bone, accurate, solid mid-range choice |
AccuBond LR | Bonded/Hybrid | Longer-range design, expands down to ~1,300 fps |
Swift Scirocco II | Bonded | Extremely tough, excellent accuracy |
Federal Terminal Ascent | Bonded/Hybrid | High BC, bonded core, long-range expansion |
Barnes TTSX/LRX | Solid Copper | Bone-breaking, near-100% weight retention |
Lapua Naturalis | Solid Copper | Consistent expansion, best under 400 yards |
📦 Deep Dive: Individual Bullet Profiles
✅ Barnes TSX / TTSX / LRX
Design: Solid copper with expansion petals.
Best For: Big game, deep penetration, and bone hits.
LRX offers better BC for long-range use.
Ideal for: Elk, moose, bear. High-velocity magnums.
✅ Nosler Partition
Design: Dual-core; front expands, rear penetrates.
Performance: Proven for over 50 years.
Downside: Low BC for long range.
Ideal for: All North American game inside ~400 yards.
✅ Nosler AccuBond / AccuBond LR
Design: Bonded polymer tip with high BC in LR version.
Best For: Mixed terrain hunts where shots range from 75 to 700 yards.
LR version expands down to ~1,300 fps—ideal for long-range magnums.
✅ Lapua Naturalis
Design: Solid copper with precision cavity.
Performance: Consistent expansion and pass-throughs.
Ideal for: Close-to-mid range elk, moose, lead-restricted areas.
✅ Hornady SST
Design: Cup & core with polymer tip.
Performance: Wide, rapid expansion—good for lung shots.
Downside: Fragmentation at high speed.
Ideal for: Whitetail, mule deer at moderate ranges.
🎯 What to Use and When
Game | Recommended Bullet Types |
Whitetail | Cup & Core, SST, Berger, ELD-X |
Mule Deer | ELD-X, Berger, AccuBond LR, SST |
Elk | AccuBond, Terminal Ascent, Barnes LRX, Scirocco II, Partition |
Moose / Bear | Barnes TTSX/LRX, Lapua Naturalis, Swift A-Frame |
Antelope | Berger, SST, ELD-X, lighter Barnes LRX |
🧠 Redleg Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all bullet. The key is to match your rifle, cartridge, and game with the right construction and performance curve.
Close-range + heavy game? Go bonded or monolithic.
Long-range + lighter game? Choose ELD-X, AccuBond LR, or Berger.
One load to do it all? AccuBond, Terminal Ascent, or Barnes LRX are your go-to’s.
If you’re unsure how your load will perform, we can help you test it. From load development to rifle tuning and custom builds, Redleg has the tools and expertise to make your hunt count.
👋 Ready to Build the Perfect Hunting System?
📞 (507) 677-6007
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