Frequently Asked Questions
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Please check out our frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions beyond what's explained below or information you may find in our loading procedures, please check our forum or email us with questions. We will be happy to help.
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Q: What kind of terminal performance can I expect from Apex Outdoors’ bullets?
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A: Afterburners are sleek, tipped, solid copper bullets designed to progressively shed the entire nose section into shrapnel immediately upon entering the target with the remaining shank retaining about 60-75% of the initial weight, depending on the selected bullet. The retained shank has a flat-fronted cross-section about 12-25% larger than original bullet diameter for the ultimate straight line, traumatic, deep permanent wound cavity. This performance profile results in a substantially wide, long, tubular wound channel that starts early and virtually guarantees high levels of tissue damage on small and lightly built game up to very large, tough animals and in an array of shot angles, both near and far. The Afterburner is our “no compromises” approach for all scenarios in a single bullet. Minimum impact velocity for maximum performance is 1650 fps.
Haymakers are heavier, blunt nosed, untipped versions designed for shorter ranges with lower minimum impact velocities. They have a retained shank weight ranging from 45-60%, depending on the selected bullet for extreme levels of trauma. Otherwise, terminally, they perform the same as the Afterburners.
Q: I was looking to shoot heavier bullets in my rifle for heavier game and/or long range shooting. Will you be making Afterburners in heavier weights?
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A: The quick answer is, we already do. Because the Afterburners have a sleek profile and are built from solid copper with a lightweight tip and an oversized hollow point, they are very long for their weight when compared to typical lead core bullets and even most competitors’ solid copper offerings. In simplistic terms, projectile length for caliber dictates the required twist rate to stabilize a bullet. When looking to load Afterburners, a significant drop in weight is necessary to get proper performance when compared to cup and core alternatives for a given set of parameters. Typically, this is two to three weight classes, on average.
In your caliber(s) of interest, take a close look at each bullet’s page in the shop. Each bullet lists optimum and minimum twist rates along with other critical parameters necessary for proper load development for both factory and wildcat chamberings.
Don’t let the lighter weights dissuade you from use on heavier game or for long range shooting. Afterburners penetrate further than just about everything else we’ve tested, no matter the weight, while providing a lot of trauma and sporting the highest ballistic coefficient in each weight class.
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Q: How fast can I push your bullets?
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A: The Afterburners, tested in 10% ballistic gel at impact speeds as high as 4100 fps and in game as high as 3600 fps, achieved outstanding results. If bullets have maximum impact restrictions, they will be listed on their respective shop pages.
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Q: Why didn't you design your Afterburners for 100% weight retention?
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A: The answer to this can be an entire book, but in brevity, here it goes. The most efficient shape for a permanent wound channel is a hydrodynamically stable wadcutter. A mushroom does not create that shape. The front of the Afterburner exists on the bullet for aerodynamic properties. Its purpose is served once the target is reached. At that point, it is better served by removing it rapidly from the rest of the bullet, so that the bullet can become the aforementioned wadcutter profile. As an ancillary benefit, the shrapnel creates a substantial amount of secondary wounding. The resulting trauma and penetration imparted on the target with the shearing nose, wadcutter design is more effective than a full retention design.
Furthermore, designing a bullet to ensure 100% weight retention at higher velocities creates physical and metallurgical challenges detrimental to other aspects of the bullet's performance.
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Q: I see options only for sales in the U.S. Do you sell outside the states?
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A: Please refer to our instructions for international purchases here.
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Q: Do your bullets contain lead and can I use them in lead-free restricted areas?
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A: All of our bullets are 100% lead-free and may be used lawfully in the state of California.
