I've noticed that the cheaper line plain soft point bullets from any of the major companies don't shoot as well once ranges extend, groups seem to open up. I've had more than one gun shoot them well at 100yds that didn't do as well at 300 or 400yds. That's a generalization but one made from shooting lots of rifles over the years out past 400yds. The most notable exception to that was a 7 mag with 175 Core Lokt ammo, but that's a longer higher BC bullet than most. The lower BC, less consistent tip shape, all that probably factors in. I'd expect less stringent tolerances on powder charges, brass weight, all that does too. It's not a knock on them, they are the budget ammo lines and work just fine for 97% of the shots most of us will ever take. In my life I can think of three big game animals I've taken past 400yds, all the rest were closer. I compare the cheaper ammo lines to the cheaper rifle lines, a Ruger American for $400 will do just about everything a custom $4000 rifle will.
The premium stuff is just insurance in my view. On the bullets maybe the Accubond or TSX penetrates just enough more to allow taking a more quartering shot that's the only one you are going to get. On rifles maybe the custom gun shoots better with a bipod loaded because the stock is stiffer and gives you more flexibility in shooting positions. I always shoot premium bullets when I am driving across the country to go on a hunt because I trust them to let me take any ethical shot. I've also been known to grab a cheap Ruger American and box of Core Lockt bullets to go shoot a doe for meat. I know I'm willing to pass on anything less than a textbook broadside shot doe hunting and those bullets will do the job just fine.
And in reality if you shoot enough with your chosen rifle and bullet to know things like if the point of impact will shift from a bipod with pressure on it, where your bullet will hit at various ranges, if the point of impact changes as the barrel heats up, if the point of impact changes with the barrel clean or dirty, etc. If you shoot that much you probably shoot enough to know the capabilities of yourself and your set-up and will be just fine with whatever you choose. Nothing beats shot placement in the end.
Yeah, I probably put to much thought into it. Putting to much practice into it is never a bad thing though!
! But, I'm sure your long range shooting ability is probably a whole level above mine! The important thing is I know my limitations; I think that is the important part for me and those like me that don't have real life long range shooting practice! I am more apt to shoot the same load and gun all the time, that way I know it inside and out, no matter what I'm shooting or whether my shot is point blank or stretching out to 400 yards. I hear you though; anything that you can do to make a shot more consistent and lethal is the right thing to do! I underlined a couple things you pointed out, that are at the top of my list!
