Posted by on Sep 10, 2025 in Product Review, Rifle Cartridge Reloading

Deer Hunting Bullets – Choosing the Best Hunting Bullet for Deer

When it comes to deer hunting bullets, most designs can be grouped into two main categories. Selecting the best hunting bullet for deer depends on the range you plan to shoot and the velocity your bullet will have upon impact. While there are no absolutes, understanding the principles behind bullet design helps hunters make better choices for accuracy, expansion, and terminal performance.

Camp One: Traditional Deer Hunting Bullets

The first category is traditional deer hunting bullets, which are designed to open rapidly on impact, retain weight, and penetrate deeply to create a large wound channel. Popular examples include the Hornady InterLock, Speer Hot-Cor, and Speer Grand Slam.

These bullets have proven effective across a wide range of hunting situations. Some models are engineered to withstand heavy mushrooming while still retaining higher weight, which helps them drive deeper into game animals. Among the three examples, the Speer Grand Slam often delivers the best performance, which explains its higher cost per bullet.

  • Expansion and velocity: Hornady recommends a minimum of 1800 fps for reliable expansion, while Speer suggests 1000 foot-pounds of energy (applies to Hot-Cor, Grand Slam, and Boat-Tail bullets).
  • Ballistic example: A 150-grain .277 caliber hunting bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2800 fps will maintain effective expansion velocity out to roughly 600 yards, carrying about 1000 ft-lbs of energy at that distance.

These classic hunting bullets for deer are versatile, making them a top choice for most hunters who take ethical shots inside typical hunting ranges.

Camp Two: High Ballistic Coefficient Bullets

The second category consists of high ballistic coefficient (BC) hunting bullets designed for long-range deer hunting. These bullets usually feature sleek profiles, polymer tips, and thin jackets to expand more easily at lower velocities.

Unlike traditional bonded designs, many of these bullets release energy quickly by expanding or fragmenting. This makes them ideal for long-range deer hunting—typically 200 yards or more. However, up-close impacts at high velocity can sometimes cause over-expansion or fragmentation.

  • Best use cases: Rifles with slower muzzle velocities (like the .300 Blackout) benefit greatly from these bullets since they are engineered to expand at lower speeds.
  • Examples: The Hornady SST® (Super Shock Tip) and Speer Boat-Tail bullets are well-known performers. Another standout, the Hornady ELD-X, is a bonded, high-BC hunting bullet designed to expand reliably at velocities as low as 1600 fps, making it one of the best options for long-distance deer hunting.

Key Takeaways for Selecting Deer Hunting Bullets

  1. Match bullet design to your hunting range. Traditional bullets (InterLock, Hot-Cor, Grand Slam) work extremely well at close to mid-range. High-BC bullets (SST, ELD-X, Boat-Tails) shine at longer ranges.
  2. Understand velocity requirements. Bullets need sufficient impact velocity to expand properly—typically between 1600–1800 fps depending on the design.
  3. Energy matters. Ethical shots on deer generally require at least 1000 ft-lbs of energy at impact.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to choose the best deer hunting bullet for your rifle, your hunting environment, and the range you expect to shoot.