What makes a good bullet?

There is of course the correct diameter and expected bullet weight. I expect that the major companies don’t have an issue here.

But then there is the more target specific qualifications. I am thinking hardness and fragmentation. In a smaller bullet I would be concerned with controlled expansion, but I don’t know if it is necessary for big bores. Do we need to be concerned with anything else?

Is there a list of bullets from hardest to softest?

Is there a list of bullets from ranking fragmentation?

Is there a list of bullets with recommended targets (great for deer, don’t even think about it for buffalo)?

Is there a list of bullets with recommended velocities (great for blackpowder 45-70 loads, but doesn’t work for 458WM velocities)?

Anyone want to make one?

Being Bonded, Woodleigh makes a good bullet, Speer, Swift, Hornady & Nosler all make a good bullet. I'm talking about the 400gr and above.

Dunn,

The North Fork bonded soft points probably have the highest velocity range of any widely available soft point.

One of the only 400 grain 458 to hold together at 2750 fps and yet still expand w a 450 grain at 45-70 velocities.

Other makes have big trade offs for velocity penetration expansion.

Pictured, 400 and 450 NF at point blank next to same bullets at 100 yds.



Velocity 2750 fps and 2550 fps.

And same 2 bullets from buffalo at nearly point blank.



Andy

Glad they're back in business.

Anyone try Rainier bullets? I expect them to be dead soft.

quote:

Originally posted by ddunn:
Anyone try Rainier bullets? I expect them to be dead soft.

I'v shot Ranier's plated .44 bullets in my .44 mag pistol. They're accurate and a bit expensive. Don't know about their performance in rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by ddunn:
Anyone try Rainier bullets? I expect them to be dead soft.

I'v shot Ranier's plated .44 bullets in my .44 mag pistol. They're accurate and a bit expensive. Don't know about their performance in rifles.

Did the 45ACP/Super, 44mag, & 9mm all in pistols. I like them for pistols. I don't know where you get your bullets from, but Rainiers prices were better than anything I could get Jacketed or Plated HP.

I,ve shot some Ranier Plated 350 gr RS .458 bullets in my Win mag and Lott ... . I moly tumbled them ,to cut down on wear and tear .... They were good blasting bullets , that would work fine on deer .. They held together @ impact velocities up to 2450 fps in Red Cedar firewood ...For the price I was impressed .... I was getting 9-14 " of penetration from them , but the rounds of firewood would slide back some with each shot ,,which no doubt limited penetration ....

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
I,ve shot some Ranier Plated 350 gr RS .458 bullets in my Win mag and Lott ... . I moly tumbled them ,to cut down on wear and tear .... They were good blasting bullets , that would work fine on deer .. They held together @ impact velocities up to 2450 fps in Red Cedar firewood ...For the price I was impressed .... I was getting 9-14 " of penetration from them , but the rounds of firewood would slide back some with each shot ,,which no doubt limited penetration ....

Accuracy?

I had terrible results with the Rainer plated bullets in a 1-10twist Ackley. Inaccurate and heavy leading with any loads over 1200fps. Didn't lube them like Gumboot and assume the fast twist was too much for the thin plated "jacket".

quote:

Originally posted by ddunn:

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by ddunn:
Anyone try Rainier bullets? I expect them to be dead soft.

I'v shot Ranier's plated .44 bullets in my .44 mag pistol. They're accurate and a bit expensive. Don't know about their performance in rifles.

Did the 45ACP/Super, 44mag, & 9mm all in pistols. I like them for pistols. I don't know where you get your bullets from, but Rainiers prices were better than anything I could get Jacketed or Plated HP.

Don't recall exactly where I got them. Dillon? Midway? Natchez? I just recall they were a bit pricy. Sorry I can't recall.