Once you know the cartridge you're going to use for specific game, the most important elements of ammunition selection all center on the bullet. This makes sense because it is the bullet and the bullet alone that kills game. There are three basic attributes involved in picking the perfect bullet for a hunting application: weight, construction and shape. Weight and construction determine terminal performance while weight and, in part, shape play a part in terminal energy.

So weight is a main concern in choosing a bullet, but this can be confusing because of the many different bullet diameters. A 150-grain bullet in a .270 is a heavy bullet, for example, and something you might use for elk. In a .30-06, however, a 150-grain bullet is a lightweight big game bullet more suited to deer-size game. As bullet diameter varies more widely, so do bullet weights suitable for each game species.

One way to determine an optimum bullet weight is to pick one based on sectional density. I want a sectional density of at least .210 for deer, .260 or above for elk-size game and .300 or more for heavy-boned game. Use those guidelines, and you will know what bullet weights to select for which game--regardless of caliber.

These days, however, bullet construction trumps sectional density. Years ago, when most hunting bullets had conventional thin jackets and lead cores, hunters needed longer, heavier bullets (high sectional densities) for deeper penetration and smashing bigger bones.

Core and jacket separations were not uncommon, and sheer bullet mass was deemed critical to killing power for large game.

That's not as true today because modern premium bullets--with their core bonding, thicker, tapered jackets, monolithic or cross-member construction--overcome some shortfalls in sectional density.

The result is that some of today's bullets are more effective at lighter weights than were traditional bullets. While a 180- or 200-grain .30 caliber bullet (.270 to .300 SD) was deemed best for elk in the old days, a bullet such as the Barnes TSX or Winchester Fail Safe can now produce more penetration with a lighter bullet weight, like a 165-grain (.248 SD).

Remember, too, that bullet shape affects exterior ballistics. A more pointed and streamlined bullet (one with a high ballistic coefficient) shoots with a flatter trajectory, reduced wind deflection, higher retained velocity and increased downrange energy.

If you want the ultimate in a long-range bullet, pick a long one for the diameter and weight, one with a pointed plastic tip and preferably a boattail. The Nosler AccuBond, Swift Scirocco, Hornady SST and Hornady InterBond are top contenders here.

Running not far behind for hunting purposes are sharply pointed lead-tipped bullets of conventional design. Although impact velocity is much reduced at long range because of their relatively lower ballistic coefficients, old-line conventional bullets can still perform fine for many hunting situations.

Here is a quick rundown on the current line of popular bullets designed for today's high performance cartridges. Accompanying photos are all .30 caliber 180-grain bullets fired from a .300 Win. Mag. with a 24-inch barrel. Each photo illustrates an unfired bullet, a sectioned bullet showing construction, a bullet recovered after close range high velocity impact at more than 3,000 fps, and a bullet recovered after an impact velocity of about 2,000 fps, simulating long-range results.