I don't choose. I let the marketing choose me.

Sectional Density.

1.) Accuracy
2.) Construction
3.) BC
4.) Cost

If a target bullet shoots very well, I use it,,,,if a hunting bullet shoots very well, I use it. Simple. Three shot group picture below from last shooting session where I picked a Nosler Ballistic Tip to hunt this season. It shows why I picked it.

What you shooting the ballistic Tip in Tack?

@ JG meme

.308 from GA Precision, shooting 168 Ballistic Tips

I have always believed a good BTSP was hard to beat. That’s about all I shoot from my ‘06, I tried to purchase the federal premiums or Hornady for my ammo choices. I will be trying the acubonds this year in 140g 7mm-08 and 110g in .257 Roberts.

For deer, I want a soft accurate bullet with at least .25 sectional density. If I need more penetration, up the weight and a little tougher bullet. I have had more trouble with too tough or too short a bullet too fast than a longish softer bullet.

Translation: Most people would take a regular ol' 130gr for a .270. Give me a soft 150gr. and a premium version if going after something tougher than a whitetail. 30/06? 165gr, not 150gr. Make it a Ballistic Tip for deer, but a Partition for tougher stuff.

I typically choose the bullet based on the game I am after. I have done quite a bit of experimentation in Africa and West Texas. I am a 30-06 guy and use it for everything. For really big game such as giraffe, buffalo, eland, etc.... I have found that the 180 grain Swift A-frame works best. It is a very deep penetrating round with excellent weight retention and good expansion. For the gemsbok, wildebeest, kudu sized animals, the 180 grain Swift Scirocco has been the best performer. For deer sized game, I really like the 110 grain TTSX at 3500 fps. Lately, I have been using the 150 grain Scirocco for deer and elk. It is an amazing performer. It is hard to go wrong with the Nosler Ballistic Tip fpr deer. I have good results with Berger, Sierra GameKing, Speer Hot Cor for deer but not as good as the Swift. I have had mediocre results with the Winchester Power Points and Hornady Interlocks. By mediocre, I mean all of the deer died within 100 yards of the shot, but ran further than I want.

Well I have cut my teeth shooting Sierra,Speer and Nosler Haven't found a reason to change yet.

Usually when evaluating a hunting rifle used for deer and hogs the bullets I reach for first are Sierra Gamekings or Sierra Pro-Hunters. For a .308 or .30-06 I really really like the 165 Gameking.

For the AR cartridges I have been working with lately (6mm-.223, 6.5 Grendel, .300 Blackout) the lower velocities allow for some varmint bullets to perform like game bullets. I like the 85 Grain Sierra Varminter in the 6mm-.223, the 120 Sierra Pro-Hunter in the Grendel, and the 125 Sierra Pro-Hunter the .300 Blackout. In the .223 I do like a controlled expansion and/or heavy for caliber like the 60 Partition, the 64 Nosler BSB or the 65 Sierra Gameking.

As a general rule, I think the Sierras offer the best combination of accuracy and terminal performance.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Because I seldom shoot any load over 2800 FPS, I virtually always use a cup and core. For deer, I really like medium weight Sierras as they’re accurate and open up quick and violently- really putting a thumping on them. For hogs, I like heavier (and slower) Sierras or Hornady Interlocks. The Interlocks seems to be a little tougher than the Sierras and I like that for those thick-skinned porkers. Accubonds work well on hogs, too, but no better than the Imterlocks so I figure why spend the extra money.

Construction of bullet to match the game being hunted, BC according to the terrain, accuracy.

Having used the 150 gr. flat nose bullets from a couple different 30-30 rifles BC is not necessarily why I buy certain bullets. I like accurate bullets that penetrate well. I am a Ballistic Tip fan and consider Partitions fine bullets. I have use the AMAX on game and find them a bit too willing to come apart though they seem to kill well. The SST is generally accurate and destructive but kills well and does often exit. I find the various Speer Hotcors excellent for much hunting. I often pick bullets just because I have a lot of them in my bullet collection.