hollow point boat tail match ammo

[62flint]

Just curious, How does Hollow point boat tail match bullets act in flesh? Do they expand like you would think a hollow point would?

[M1A4ME]

some folks say yes and some folks say no.

all I've ever shot with they is targets and the expanded wildly in the dirt behind the targets at 600 yds.

Some companies, like Sierra, make boat tail spitzer bullets in the same weights as their match bullets.

[gunderwood]

The HPBT is a function of manufacturing, not a design function of the bullet. They have a "HP" because it is a better way to build the bullet for accuracy. The more accurate description is OTM...Open Tip Match. Unlike real HPs, they are not designed to expand, they are designed to be as consistent as possible for accuracy.

That being said, they do sometimes expand, but it varies by manufacturer quite a bit. Most match bullets have a very thin jacket for uniformity. That thin jacket, while not designed for that purpose, usually fragments fairly easily and the bullet can "expand" in a target. Because it wasn't designed to do that it is a very variable process. Berger's and SMKs seem to expand/fragment more often, while Scenars use a harder lead alloy so they tend to "banana."

Hunting bullets are still more effective, but at longer ranges the match bullets do deliver more energy and are more accurate. If you shoot a lot of those you're likely very familiar with those match bullets and your rifle.

If you are going to try it, I'd recommend you only try it on thin skinned game (e.g. deer). The thin jacket design can fragment and not penetrate on thicker game. Some people have had success on thicker game with the Scenars since they are tougher and a while they tend to not expand/fragment, they do tend to go through sideways!

Hunting bullets give you more margin for error, but in the end its mostly about shot placement. Given equal shot placement most hunting bullets will do more damage and put the animal down quicker. However, I know people who are good rifle shots and hunt with SMKs all the time. They are very successful because they know their rifle/bullet system and always put the shot where it counts. You'll get people splitting on this topic and being very vocal about it.

[62flint]

Thanks Gunderwood. That is kinda what I was thinking. Just looking to shoot the occasional "managment/damage deer" . Not looking for it to be a primary hunting round. Just wondering how they did.

[Palladin]

Always learning something on here...

[Vahunter]

No way in hell would I take a chance that match bullets "might" expand on deer or any animal for that matter. Use a proper bullet for hunting and leave the match rounds where they belong, on the range.

[gunderwood]

No way in hell would I take a chance that match bullets "might" expand on deer or any animal for that matter. Use a proper bullet for hunting and leave the match rounds where they belong, on the range.

The question is, are expanding bullets required to kill quickly? The modern bullets we take for granted are relatively new...yet animals were being successfully harvested long before that. A heart shot dear with a .308Win FMJ is better than a gut shot one with whatever your choice of special hunting bullet. Also, the military uses the 175gr SMK (a HPBT or OTM bullet) and they take thin skinned targets at significant ranges just fine.

A good shot is a good shot and a bad shot is a bad shot.