I guess my question is can someone educate me on what bullet types are best at what yardages/velocities?

As a short range hunter (125 yards and under) I am trying to understand what type of bullet is best to expand at those distances and velocities as opposed to a longer range bullet pushing slower velocities?

Thanks

Cup and core style bullet. Example - ballistic tip, sst, berger hunting are the first few that come to mind.

That’s assuming you’re not shooting a barrel burner, I like a little tougher bullet (bonded or mono) when the speed is cranked up. Ex - Accubonds, scenar, barnes, etc

Old skewl Sierra Game King Spire Point Boattail is one of the most reliable and simple killing bullets, 0 to 400 yards.

Damn shame Sierra has not been keeping up the last two years.

Hornady A-max has filled my freezer more times than any other bullet. .308" 168 gr is the only one they still make.

Impact velocity is an important criteria. Most bullets will perform admirably at speeds between 2700 and 2000 fps. For instance my 7x57 pushing a 160 grain Speer Hotcor performs to perfection when started at 2500 fps.

Core-lokts.

Best site for very detailed info on terminal ballistics for almost any caliber and any bullet.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase.html

I saw some game kings for cheap. Well cheap for nowadays. I will check them out. So far of the 5 or 6 different bullets I have tried my gun really likes the 168gr hog hammer. Which is a nickel casing and barnes bullet. I think they have been discontinued. But no other cartridge has come close so far. Even the ELDX is not near as accurate. Core lokts are definitely on my list of what to buy. Does a barnes copper bullet expand well at 100 yards or is it a longer range bullet?

The best book I have found on the subject is Rifle Bullets For The Hunter: A Definitive Study by Richard Mann.

An excellent book every hunter and shooter should have.

Barnes bullets typically work best at faster velocity’s ie shorter range. I’ve shot a lot of them and done some serious deer management with them in various calibers from 0-300yds. In my opinion they are not a great bullet
For longer distances.