Selecting the right type of bullet is very important in hunting. That’s why it is essential to understand what a bonded bullet and non bonded bullet are and the differences between them.
If you are interested in the hunting of weapons, you may have come across bonded and non bonded bullet. Don’t be confused when you know nothing about them to choose the most suitable one for yourself.
This article will provide you with useful information on when it is best to use each of them. I believe that with all the necessary comparison we list below will help you select the one that suits your hunting application.
Definitions
Before you are approaching any particular bullet, you must know what bonding is. It's the process of securing a bullet's lead core to its jacket.
There are a wide variety of methods used to make bullets. For example, some bullet markers use welding process, which means that the lead core is melted inside a copper jacket until the lead fills the available space and adheres to the copper. Others use electrification.
What is a Bonded Bullet?
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A bonded bullet is essentially a jacketed bullet that bonds the jacket and the lead core together.
Manufacturers use many methods to do that with the goal of making the bullet stay together in one piece, instead of separating into multiple fragments. That helps the cartridge hold most all of its weight into the penetration process.
Weight retention is a basic property of ammunition. Because of the weight, a bullet can go deeper into the target, especially when the objective is thicker.
A bounded bullet is also able to go through bone, giving the hunters a perfect result because it creates more profound effects on animals with deeper and cleaner wounds.
What Is A Non-bonded Bullet?
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Non-bonded bullet means that the core and the jacket are not connected. When the round is fired, it will separate into many pieces.
Because the bullet expands rapidly and shatters on impact, its penetration is not as deep as that of a bonded bullet so it is mainly used for hunting deer as well as antelope.
The more shallowly a non-bonded bullet goes through, the weaker the damage it causes to the animal. That’s why hunters prefer to use this type of ammo for hunting the small animals.
Comparison Between Non-bonded Bullet and Bonded Bullet on the Shooting Position
Choosing a suitable bullet which relies on the shooting position is very important. The result of the prey will depend on your shooting placement.
For example, you think about shooting on the shoulder of the animal when hunting. The shoulder part is an essential position because the muscle density of here is higher than normal vitals. Shooting on this site will give you a perfect result. That's why a lot of hunters choose this position for hunting. However, the only few hunters are successful.
At this shoulder position, hunters need the bullets that have enough accuracy, weight, and speed to go through the animal’s body
You will need to choose the right type depending on the kind of animals. Both bonded and non-bonded bullets lost their weight as soon as it hits the muscle.
The non-bonded bullets expand rapidly. That’s why it can not make the animals down as soon as the ball goes through the body of them.
Meanwhile, the bonded bullets create a great impact on the shooting on the shoulder for big animals. They are more weight and give the best effect, sometimes go through the animal and make it die in big game time.
To sum you up, you should also choose suitable and unique bullets for maximum weight retention and deep penetration power for shooting.
The Basic Difference
Accuracy
In target practice, which needs accuracy more than deep shots, you should use a non-bonded bullet. That’s why it is not suitable.
A bonded bullet doesn’t expand rapidly and damage anything it touches. After that, it begins slowing down and create deeper wounds. So it is mainly used in bigger games.
Price
Non-bonded bullets are cheaper than bonded bullets because they are very simple to make.
Unlike other conventional ammo, bullet makers need more extra steps to produce bonded bullets. And of course, this additional cost has to be passed on to the customers when they buy the rounds.
So think carefully and buy it which depends on your demand.
Use
If you want to hunt elk, deer or antelope in low shot placement, non-bonded bullets are your perfect option as there are fewer steps to make them fire more consistently.
The accuracy and their proper shot placement make non-bonded bullets a suitable choice for small games where you don’t need deep penetration.
if you want to hunt large animals, bonded bullets are your solution since they can make the wound deeper and cleaner.
Which is Better?
It is hard to say which is the better of the two bullets because each of them has its function. In my opinion, although the bonded ball is much more expensive, I still prefer to use bonded bullets because they provide good velocity rate along with weight retention and other facilities.
Weight retention is the factor that makes the bonded is more preferable than a non bonded bullet. The bonded bullet can smoothly go through the body of animals and knock it down, which gives you the perfect result. Meanwhile, a non bonded bullet is hard to do that.
All Thing Considered
Now you can distinguish between a bonded bullet and non bonded bullet on the necessary comparison. Selecting the suitable one for your hunting application is essential. To become a sharp hunter, you must know how to choose a suitable bullet for your hunting.
Sometimes, your guns cannot handle your right type of the bullet you have selected. That’s why besides choosing a bonded or a non-bonded, you take care of firearms, caliber, and cartridge as well. The hunting success rate also depends on the type and correct cartridge level.
Selecting suitable ammunition, whether it is bonded or non-bonded, must rely on your requirement of accuracy, price, and use. Last but not least, having the right type of rifle, bullet, cartridge, and caliber for hunting is important, too!
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I am Jerry Gonzalez, and my heart beats for the great outdoors, especially in the breathtaking landscapes of Helena, Montana. Engaging with fellow enthusiasts online and at local hunting clubs has been a rewarding experience, and I find great joy in sharing knowledge and experiences with like-minded individuals. My goal is to empower my fellow hunters with well-informed choices, regardless of their experience level.