Has your opinion changed? I have recently read much more
debate about which bullet performs best on whitetail deer from the 7x30 Waters at typical handgun velocities and ranges. Seems there is support for each of the Sierra and Hornady SSPs, Hornady V-Max, Nosler BTs, also the newer Hornady SST but also disappointment has been reported in lack of expansion or lack of exit wound, etc.
Some shooters have done side by side comparisons into wet
phone books others have reported actual kills with expansion, wound channel, and weight retention results. Some data conflicts what others have reported. It doesn't seem to me there is a clear cut winner or favorite in this debate but I keep reading and digging thru the information trying to determine what would be best suited for me.
I deer hunt in Florida where our bucks are considerably lighter than those from other parts of the country. Our bucks typically average in the 120-140 lb range, occasionally heavier. My shots are likely to be anywhere from 50 to probably a max of about 150 yards. I shoot a Contender w/Super 14" barrel and at the present time am trying an UltraDot 30mm red dot type sight. Took one nice buck this year at 90 yards with Federal factory load with this combination but intend to start working up a handload for this gun this spring and am looking for more information about the various bullets and their performance at typical handgun velocities.
I had just about decided to start with the Nosler 120 grain BT but now am having doubts because of "no expansion" reports on shots where no bones were hit.
We don't get frequent opportunities for shots at deer so it is not often that we can accurately evaluate our load and bullet performance and potential from different ranges, velocities, and angles. Admittedly there are alot of varibles to consider and probably no one load or bullet will satisfy everyone. The age old argument about which is better, bigger and slower or lighter and faster usually enters the discussion but expansion at the slower handgun velocities seems to be the problem. I would like to hear of your experiences and welcome your opinions, suggestions, and information.
Thanks, Dave1
debate about which bullet performs best on whitetail deer from the 7x30 Waters at typical handgun velocities and ranges. Seems there is support for each of the Sierra and Hornady SSPs, Hornady V-Max, Nosler BTs, also the newer Hornady SST but also disappointment has been reported in lack of expansion or lack of exit wound, etc.
Some shooters have done side by side comparisons into wet
phone books others have reported actual kills with expansion, wound channel, and weight retention results. Some data conflicts what others have reported. It doesn't seem to me there is a clear cut winner or favorite in this debate but I keep reading and digging thru the information trying to determine what would be best suited for me.
I deer hunt in Florida where our bucks are considerably lighter than those from other parts of the country. Our bucks typically average in the 120-140 lb range, occasionally heavier. My shots are likely to be anywhere from 50 to probably a max of about 150 yards. I shoot a Contender w/Super 14" barrel and at the present time am trying an UltraDot 30mm red dot type sight. Took one nice buck this year at 90 yards with Federal factory load with this combination but intend to start working up a handload for this gun this spring and am looking for more information about the various bullets and their performance at typical handgun velocities.
I had just about decided to start with the Nosler 120 grain BT but now am having doubts because of "no expansion" reports on shots where no bones were hit.
We don't get frequent opportunities for shots at deer so it is not often that we can accurately evaluate our load and bullet performance and potential from different ranges, velocities, and angles. Admittedly there are alot of varibles to consider and probably no one load or bullet will satisfy everyone. The age old argument about which is better, bigger and slower or lighter and faster usually enters the discussion but expansion at the slower handgun velocities seems to be the problem. I would like to hear of your experiences and welcome your opinions, suggestions, and information.
Thanks, Dave1