Match ammo for deer

[sbushee]

Guys,

I’ve seen quite a few posts in which the hunter used match ammo for deer hunting. I’ve not tried it myself and I would like the opinions of you seasoned and experienced folks.

I currently shoot Berger 140 VLDs with excellent results and don’t plan on changing. Just curious what the opinion of others that have more experience than myself think.

Happy Thanksgiving

[texas_legend]

Great question. I shoot 140s too. And all I see in the store are match bullets.

[El Paisano]

Don't think I would want to shoot most BTHPs, but not afraid of using ELDMs.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm8wAXkVaxU"]Hunting with Match Bullets? 6.5 Creedmoor FACEOFF - YouTube[/ame]

[Walker]

Not all match ammo is constructed the same. I had good results on a couple of does with 123gr hornady eld match

[Raider4044]

Depends on what “match bullet” you are referencing. Lots of people group these bullets together, but they are definitely not all created equal. The actual bullet construction varies a ton in different bullets that are labeled as match grade.

With that being said, Hornady ELD-M’s work great for deer/hogs in my experience.

[Buck hunter332]

I shoot the heck out of deer with Hornady match ammo outta a 6.5 prc if that matters

[sbushee]

Depends on what “match bullet” you are referencing. Lots of people group these bullets together, but they are definitely not all created equal. The actual bullet construction varies a ton in different bullets that are labeled as match grade.

With that being said, Hornady ELD-M’s work great for deer/hogs in my experience.

I do believe that the Hornady ELD-Ms are the ones that are used in the posts I’ve seen.

[SmTx]

I know some guys that used to kill a lot of deer each year with SMKs.

[RMW]

They will do a lot of damage to the animal, they work great if not worried about meat damage. I’d use 140 grains +

[Hunter_Man]

I accidentally mixed up my loads one year and shot 3 deer using hornady amax in 308. Al had pass throughs with about a 1” exit wound and made it less than 40 yds. It was an accident but it did the job just fine.

[muzzlebrake]

I know some guys that used to kill a lot of deer each year with SMKs.

Kilt a few truck loads of deer with them over the last 50+ years. 175 smk is my go to in .308. Shoulder shots do make a mess but thru the ribs behind the leg makes jello of heart and lungs. In a 300WM with 168's they will turn a coyote completely inside out with a frontal shot.

[howabouttheiris]

I shoot my match rifle with 140gn ELDMs for deer and hogs.

Never had any issues this season, 5 for 5 with doe. I have been shooting body shots vs heads as most of my shots were right at 175yds.

Blood trails required no searching, just walk right along to the animal.





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[howabouttheiris]

Sorry for the bloody photo, but here is a 140 ELDM exit on a chest shot at 175yds.



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[Muddy Bud]

I just started shooting the 135 grain Berger Target Hybrids out of my semi custom .257 Wby Mag. I was impressed with the bullet performance on a cull buck and a hog a couple weeks ago. I was a little concerned about the thicker J4 jackets but judging by the exit wound on the deer I would say expansion was good. The hog was head shot at 230 yards and that was pretty gruesome.

[Button]

I’ve shot several deer using 168 grain hornady AMax .308 they folded on impact.