Thank you. I'll look now.
Favorite bullet mfg not named Nosler and why
- Thread starter 300WSM
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #42
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 859
- 487
The voting so far went about as I suspected.
Interestingly Barnes with only 2 votes and I'd like to know what the "other" selections were. Also surprising to me is no votes for Lehigh nor Berry's.
I included Berry's as I thought for sure someone would love their prices for pistol bullets even though we're on a rifle driven forum.
Keep em coming...
Interestingly Barnes with only 2 votes and I'd like to know what the "other" selections were. Also surprising to me is no votes for Lehigh nor Berry's.
I included Berry's as I thought for sure someone would love their prices for pistol bullets even though we're on a rifle driven forum.
Keep em coming...
Bonz
Beginner
- Jun 24, 2015
- 129
- 93
I'm looking at this with respect to favorite hunting bullets based on use in the field, not necessarily overall availability from a specific manufacturer for typical target shooting or practice.
However I can see availability is propping up manufacturers votes as much as bullet performance itself.
I've used Barnes for 30 years. I am but one vote. I won't hold it against the rest of you guys that won't claim Barnes in public... Haha.
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,219
- 2,180
I bought some Barnes LRX in several calibers last year.
Have not loaded for them yet
Have not loaded for them yet
noslerpartition
Handloader
- May 26, 2018
- 1,021
- 396
For hunting mostly European brands. LOS, Fox. But Lehigh, too. For others Barnes.
Target-practice: what flies ok and is available.
Currently Prvi, since I have only a 100 m range available.
They are good enough for that and for running boar and shooting cinema, they are more than enough. Actually found some sub moa loads in 308 win with them from a Bergara
Target-practice: what flies ok and is available.
Currently Prvi, since I have only a 100 m range available.
They are good enough for that and for running boar and shooting cinema, they are more than enough. Actually found some sub moa loads in 308 win with them from a Bergara
For just a little bit more you can buy RMR bullets instead of the Berry's.
RMR also has pulled brass that are still primed for some people looking for certain brass and primers might not be bad.
Rifle Cases | RMR Bullets
www.rmrbullets.com
- Thread starter
- #48
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 859
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That's a fine point but just know things are no longer on equal footing.
Availability has seized control of the industry.
Something can't be a favorite if you can't get it.
Of the big 4....
Hornady is far and away doing the very best with production.
We can debate the why or how all day long but fact remains you can get pretty much their entire catalog at any point in time. (Within reason)
Then down mich further and I mean further at #2 is Sierra and Speer.
Then Nosler even much further below Sierra and Speer comes in at #4
Their current inventory is shameful. I love Nosler (we're all here right) but fact is fact...obtaining Nosler product right now is a pathetic endeavor. Maybe 2nd's pop up here or there bur legit production SKU's that aren't blemished....good luck.
I don't have any clue about Barnes availability nor Swift.
Even Berry's and their lower prices is nearly always available and it get's bought a lot by the pistol blasters.
- Thread starter
- #49
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 859
- 487
Elaborate on that please.For just a little bit more you can buy RMR bullets instead of the Berry's.
RMR also has pulled brass that are still primed for some people looking for certain brass and primers might not be bad.
Rifle Cases | RMR Bullets
Are you suggesting Berry's is no good?
Their defense ammo is tough to beat price wise. I've never tested it performance wise nor know of it's performance but a hollow point for defense the prices are unbeatable. IMO
Self Defense Bullets | Bullets for Reloading | Plated Bullets
We sell a variety of Hybrid Hollow Point bullets for self defense. This hybrid design allows for maximum expansion and weight retention.
And as example..
Berry's Superior Plated Bullets 380 ACP (356 Diameter) 100 Grain
Berry's bullets are swaged from a custom alloyed lead for uniformity, then plated to final weight and put back in a carbide die to be re-struck to the...
www.midwayusa.com
250 count HP bullets for a 9mm $39.99
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,272
- 5,290
RMR are good people to work with. Over the years I’ve purchased many factory overruns. Most of them were Federal Fusions.
I wished I bought a 1000 a piece of the Tipped Bear Claws back when they were available from them.
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,619
- 2,264
Went to Douglas Barrels today to drop off my 270 Win to get barreled and on the way back stopped off at Cabela's. They had several Hornady bullets on the shelfs, some Sierra, couple boxes of Nosler and no Speer that I saw. Dan.
bob_dobalina
Handloader
- Oct 6, 2009
- 344
- 50
I'm the other Barnes guy LOL
Bonz
Beginner
- Jun 24, 2015
- 129
- 93
Nice, bob_dobalina! I know there are other Barnes users besides us, but I can sure see where the different perspectives on what makes a favorite manufacturer come from.
Something can be a favorite, even if I can't get it. As shared, I look at it from the favorite bullet for hunting view. I have looked ahead, even 25 years ago thinking "what if these were discontinued next year", for example as Barnes left the XLC blue coated bullets behind pretty quick in favor of the TSX, and now TTSX. Or quit making the 250 X for the Whelen crowd because it wouldn't stabilize in factory 1-16" barrels. Not knowing that was gonna happen, I now have two full boxes, and a partial from 20 years ago that shoot well in my 1-14" barrel. Probably will never use them, but I have them. That keeps it from being a white knuckle event in my reloading room. In the Whelen AI, everything from the 180 X/TTSX, 200 X/TSX/TTSX, 225X/TSX and that discontinued 250 X will take any deer, elk or moose that walks. Probably the same for critters that might bite back. Again, shortage vs the tool for the job is something I'm looking at from a different mindset as multiple options from Barnes will fill the need and I already have them.
Agree, absolutely true if having any product on the reloading bench at all is the criteria, those that have availability could be considered a favorite.
Something can be a favorite, even if I can't get it. As shared, I look at it from the favorite bullet for hunting view. I have looked ahead, even 25 years ago thinking "what if these were discontinued next year", for example as Barnes left the XLC blue coated bullets behind pretty quick in favor of the TSX, and now TTSX. Or quit making the 250 X for the Whelen crowd because it wouldn't stabilize in factory 1-16" barrels. Not knowing that was gonna happen, I now have two full boxes, and a partial from 20 years ago that shoot well in my 1-14" barrel. Probably will never use them, but I have them. That keeps it from being a white knuckle event in my reloading room. In the Whelen AI, everything from the 180 X/TTSX, 200 X/TSX/TTSX, 225X/TSX and that discontinued 250 X will take any deer, elk or moose that walks. Probably the same for critters that might bite back. Again, shortage vs the tool for the job is something I'm looking at from a different mindset as multiple options from Barnes will fill the need and I already have them.
Agree, absolutely true if having any product on the reloading bench at all is the criteria, those that have availability could be considered a favorite.
possum
Beginner
- Jan 17, 2016
- 95
- 83
I voted Other; Woodleigh is my favorite bullet because they work, plain and simple. But they're not cheap or common up here. Other than that I would say Hornady
I did not cast a vote-each manufacturer makes some bullet i really like. Each rifle shoots one or another better than one or another.
My overall favorite bullet is the trophy bonded bear claw-the old original ones. I have a bunch in each caliber and if I had to pick just one-that would probably be the one.
My overall favorite bullet is the trophy bonded bear claw-the old original ones. I have a bunch in each caliber and if I had to pick just one-that would probably be the one.
Lazy Bushman
Beginner
- Apr 17, 2022
- 139
- 190
I voted other. For bonded bullets no one can beat Woodleigh. There are some good ones out there to be sure but they don't beat it.
For monometal (all copper) then I've been converted to Atomic 29 (https://www.facebook.com/atomic29bullets they have a website coming). Cheaper and IMO better performers. I have a shipment for 270 and 7mm arriving either today or tomorrow.
As far as the rest go, I've shot most (not all) and never had a dead beast complain about any of them. Hornady I have shot a lot of and I would give the nod to simply based on price (value) and availability. Speer seem to be a little more accessible and probably rate close to the same in terms of value and performance, but Hornady IMO get the prize for how well they have kept meeting market demand. I love Nosler and have a soft spot yet price and availability is one of the worst and I'm beginning to wonder if I can justify continuing to buy them as their level of dead really isn't better than the others these days (assuming right bullet for the job and placement of course)
For monometal (all copper) then I've been converted to Atomic 29 (https://www.facebook.com/atomic29bullets they have a website coming). Cheaper and IMO better performers. I have a shipment for 270 and 7mm arriving either today or tomorrow.
As far as the rest go, I've shot most (not all) and never had a dead beast complain about any of them. Hornady I have shot a lot of and I would give the nod to simply based on price (value) and availability. Speer seem to be a little more accessible and probably rate close to the same in terms of value and performance, but Hornady IMO get the prize for how well they have kept meeting market demand. I love Nosler and have a soft spot yet price and availability is one of the worst and I'm beginning to wonder if I can justify continuing to buy them as their level of dead really isn't better than the others these days (assuming right bullet for the job and placement of course)
lefty315
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2004
- 932
- 413
I chose Speer. They always been accurate enough for my hunting rifles and do a good number on critters.
