Would you use match bullets on deer?

[A. F Medic]

Got my Icon back from Thompson center and need to put the scope back on it and sight it in.
Problem is that there are no .308s available where I live!

I do have several boxes of Hornady Match 165gr BTHP. Has a hollow point. It would seem to me that it would shoot thru a deer. Any suggestions?

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[vintage hunter]

First off is it legal to use ''non-expanding'' bullets for hunting deer in your area?

[Youngblood]

HP bullets are considered to be "non-expanding"?

[vintage hunter]

In regards to match bullets, yes. The hollow point of a match bullet is a result of the manufacturing process and is designed to provide better aerodynamics for long range shooting, not for expansion. They are generally considered to be in the non-expanding category. However, they will in some cases expand, and seeing as how they have relatively thin jackets compared to purpose made hunting bullets they usually end up fragmenting rather than mushrooming.
I've used BTHP match bullets to hunt deer and hogs, mostly Sierra MK's, 90% of the time they worked fine. The other 10% they tended to just go straight through making recovery of the animal more difficult.
My recommendations are find some .308 hunting ammo on line or handload some. If those options fail use a different caliber for which hunting ammo is available. Otherwise keep shots to a moderate distance and go for spine or head shots.

[browningautorifle]

I have used match .30 cal bullets for hunting deer. Shot placement being everything, it still made sense. I scored kills without problems. They're a hollow point and here they consider them a hollow point.

[A. F Medic]

Good question. Never thought of that. Will look it up. Thanks

[browningautorifle]

Remember, "we" are in Canada...

[Aragorn243]

You have seven months to find a box of 308's.

[enfield303t]

Spent the last two days at the range and observed the real difference between HP and SP bullets. We enjoy shooting reactive targets so filled a couple of 4 litre jugs with colored water and hung them at 300 yards.

Shot one with a .303 150 gr Hornady SP and the other with a .308 168 gr Sierra HP and the difference was astounding. The .303 literally split the jug wide open and the exit was devastating. The .308 didn't do even close to the damage which actually surprised me.

My conclusion, wouldn't consider using a HP as I would not want a wounded animal wandering away because I didn't make a perfect shot and no one makes a killing shot every time no matter how good they believe they are.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jim Tarleton]

File the tip of a military FMJ until you just see the lead (a few thousandth of an inch). It will expand and kill like lightening. My grandfather did it with great success for decades.

jt