Quick Answer
Copper bullets exhibit reduced penetration and increased expansion in terminal ballistics, making them more suitable for deer and elk hunting at close to moderate ranges. They achieve this through controlled fragmentation and a larger, softer surface area upon impact. This results in rapid weight transfer and energy release, often resulting in cleaner kills.
Monolithic Copper Bullet Design
Monolithic copper bullets eliminate the need for copper jackets by casting the projectile as a single piece of solid copper. This design allows for increased weight transfer and expansion upon impact, resulting in deeper penetration and larger wound channels. Examples of monolithic copper bullets include the Barnes TSX and the Hornady GMX.
Terminal Ballistics Performance
Monolithic copper bullets have been shown to expand consistently at lower velocities, typically between 1,200 and 1,800 feet per second (fps). This expansion can be attributed to the soft, porous nature of copper, which allows for easier deformation and fragmentation. At higher velocities, these bullets tend to maintain their shape and penetrate deeper, often resulting in longer wound channels and more effective deer takes. For example, the Barnes TSX will expand to approximately 1.7 times its original diameter at 1,300 fps, while the Hornady GMX will expand to approximately 1.8 times its original diameter at 1,700 fps.
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