Traits of a good hunting bullet

Some of the liveliest shooting discussions I have been involved in have occurred around the smoke of a hunting campfire. And possibly no topic is more frequently debated, nor more controversial, than that pertaining to what characteristics constitute the best hunting bullet.

The sparring opponents on this matter are often evenly divided. On one side, the argument usually focuses on a desire that the bullet expand quickly in order to exert a maximum degree of tissue damage and shock, but not exit the animal. The opposing side frequently makes their claim based on the wish that their bullets should expand in a more controlled manner in order to preserve as high a retained weight and good frontal expansion as possible. Frequently those individuals view the issue of the bullet exiting out the backside of the animal only as an accepted compromise as long as the bodily functions of the animal have been thoroughly disrupted.

Obviously, the end objective of both of these groups is basically the same; that being to generate a quick and humane kill. They only differ in how that is best