Bullet Characteristics

One of my favorite all round cartridges is the 300 WSM, because I find that it has plenty of punch for most North American big game. But bullet selection is another thing.

The weight of a bullet directly translates into its ability to penetrate the target. You might get away with a lighter projectile like a 165 grain Nosler for thin skinned game like deer but a large bear will require the punch of a 180 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

The shape of the bullet will determine the trajectory and range. If you are hunting mountain goats a bullet that is tapered on both ends will give a flatter and hence a faster trajectory, where this may not be as big a concern when hunting whitetail in dense bush.

Impact characteristics refer to how the bullet performs on impact. A solid lead point might allow you to plow through some brush, but it may not have the expansion capabilities of a Barnes TSX to bring your game down quickly. On the other hand a ballistic tip like the Nosler ballistic tip may stop the animal dead in its tracks but may not leave much meat for the table.

Take time to learn the characteristics of various bullets and you’re sure to improve your success rate.