Hornady .308 HPBT 168 grain HELP

[steve b999]

Hi

I have just bought 100 of the above bullet heads which were sold to me as expanding and suitable for live quarry. My concern is that it says MATCH on the box and was under the impression that these were not expanding generally. The product number is 30501.

Any help gratefully received

Steve

[MikB]

There are people on here who say HPBTs do expand reliably in game, and indeed I'd expect any interruption in the jacket nose to promote this.

But they aren't sold as game bullets, and Speer certainly disrecommend the use of their HPBTs on game. I'd say you've a case for a refund if they were sold you as game bullets. In America you could probably make your own mind up about whether to use them, but in this country you're legally obliged to use expanding ammunition, at least on deer, and it might be a bit of a game defending the use of these - in the unlikely event of it ever coming to court.

Regards,
MikB

[Simon G]

I agree with the sentiments of Mike above. HP Match bullets may expand, but more than likely not reliably nor enough! The bullets are not designed to expand, the "hollow point" is a by-product of the manufacturing process. If memory serves, non of the bullet makers recommend their match bullets for use on anything but paper or steel targets.......

Interestingly enough, the new 5.56 NATO round as issued to some US forces use the Sierra 77gn Matchking. Circumventing International legislation regarding expanding ammo in war, because of this exact point. It's not what they are designed to do.

[foxshooter]

I agree with the sentiments of Mike above. HP Match bullets may expand, but more than likely not reliably nor enough! The bullets are not designed to expand, the "hollow point" is a by-product of the manufacturing process. If memory serves, non of the bullet makers recommend their match bullets for use on anything but paper or steel targets.......

Interestingly enough, the new 5.56 NATO round as issued to some US forces use the Sierra 77gn Matchking. Circumventing International legislation regarding expanding ammo in war, because of this exact point. It's not what they are designed to do.

Strangely though Hornady DO recommend Amax for hunting....... :)

I have had good results with 168gr Hornady Amax and HPBTM bullets. I would not however recommend Sierra Matchkings or Lapua match bullets for hunting, then again those mauufacturers do specify that they arent suitable for hunting.

IMHO 168gr AMax are fantastic deer medicine, I've only ever had one runner and that was purely adrenaline since when we recovered the carcas it had no heart left whatsoever.

Mark

[kaleiderscope]

I use them and they are great bullets, im off to New Zeland in August and a bullet is a bullet there. If my 300wsm performs better with A-MAX bullets they will be coming too.:D

[mildot]

I have seen the result of a deer shot with the Berger VLD match bullets, and i have to say they certainly must have killed the deer instantly. Exit hole was about 2" and was shot at 200yards. However the meat was badly blood shot as it would be with anything that does not expand in a predictable manner. The match bulllets because of their design have thin jackets which just shed on inpact creating lots of jacket shards.

They work very well at killing game instantly but in this country forget em as you will be breaking the law with the use of them. So stick with a recommended game bullet like the nosler Accubond or one of the vast array of other designs.

[steve b999]

Thanks to all of you who have replied. I have contacted the gun shop and a very apologetic gent said he simply picked the wrong box off of the shelf. I will be taking them back for a more suitable bullet head for a no quibble/dont have to pay the price difference exchange. Excellent service and top advice received all round from this shop. It is a shame more do not follow this example.

All the best

Steve