Bullets That Always Exit (Even on Quartering Shots)

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Some bullets leave you guessing about penetration, and others leave no doubt at all. When you hit a deer at an awkward angle, you want something that drives deep, stays together, and holds its course through bone and muscle. Hunters who’ve tracked enough animals know which bullets consistently punch out the far side, even on tough quartering shots. These loads aren’t magic—they’re built with strong jackets, controlled expansion, and enough weight retention to finish what you started. If you want exits instead of surprises, here are the bullets that tend to give you that dependable performance.

Nosler Partition

MidwayUSA

The Nosler Partition has been around long enough to earn its place on this list. Its dual-core design lets the front half expand fast while the rear core stays intact, powering through ribs, shoulders, and anything else in the way. That balance makes it a reliable choice when the angle isn’t perfect and you need the bullet to keep moving.

You’ll notice the value of the Partition when you’re dealing with quartering-away or slightly quartering-to shots. Even after the front section mushrooms, that rear core keeps trucking. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent, and consistency is what gets you the exit hole you’re hoping for when the shot isn’t broadside.

Barnes TTSX

The Barnes TTSX is known for weight retention, and that’s the key to why it exits so easily. Being a monolithic copper bullet, it doesn’t shed pieces or fold in on itself. Instead, it expands into those clean petals and keeps its mass, which gives it the momentum needed to break through the far side.

Shooters using mid-range calibers like .308, .270, and even lighter offerings like 6.5 Creedmoor often report exits on deer from less-than-perfect angles. The bullet simply holds together better than most. If you want a solid that opens up fast but refuses to come apart, the TTSX is one of the most dependable options you can load.

Swift A-Frame

The Swift A-Frame is a heavy hitter when you’re expecting tough angles or shooting through a shoulder. Its bonded dual-core setup works much like the Partition, but the bonding gives it even better integrity when it plows into bone. You get predictable expansion without losing the penetration needed to push through.

If you’re running a .30-caliber or larger, the A-Frame makes quartering shots feel a lot less risky. Even in cartridges on the slower end, the bullet’s structure helps it keep pushing. It’s not uncommon to see complete pass-throughs even on bigger-bodied northern deer, which is why so many hunters trust it for dependable exits.

Hornady InterBond

Glen’s Army Navy Store

Hornady’s InterBond doesn’t get as much attention as some of its other bullets, but it deserves credit for deep penetration. Its bonded core and thick jacket help it expand wide without losing weight. That combination keeps it moving straight, even when it hits heavy muscle or bone.

On quartering shots, the InterBond often performs better than traditional cup-and-core bullets because it holds its shape instead of fragmenting. Hunters using it in cartridges like .30-06 or .300 Win Mag often report full exits with clear trails to follow. It’s a strong option if you want both expansion and reliable drive-through performance.

North Fork Bonded Core

North Fork bullets aren’t as common on store shelves, but those who use them swear by their penetration. Their bonded-core design gives each bullet surprising toughness for its weight. Expansion is controlled, and the bullet keeps enough mass to push through long angles.

This bullet shines when you’re shooting heavier calibers and want reliable exits even on stout-bodied deer. It holds together in situations where other bullets might flatten too early. If you’re the kind of hunter who values bullet integrity above all else, the North Fork earns its place in your kit.

Federal Trophy Bonded Tip

The Trophy Bonded Tip brings a strong shank and bonded lead core together in a setup that resists deformation. The polymer tip helps it open, but not so fast that it burns all its energy up front. That balance is what helps it keep driving deeper than many similar bullets.

Quartering shots are where this bullet separates itself. It hits hard, opens wide, and still bulls through the other side on deer-sized game. Hunters using .308 or .30-06 often note how often they see exit holes even with steep angles, which is why it’s a regular choice for those who want a sure track job.

Norma Oryx

Gordy & Sons

Norma’s Oryx is one of those bullets that surprises people with how tough it is. The core is bonded to the jacket in a way that resists slipping, even when the bullet expands aggressively. That helps it hold enough weight to power through the far side of a deer more often than not.

Where the Oryx stands out is in the mid-velocity cartridges. Even in slower rounds like the 6.5×55 or .308, you tend to get exits on deer that aren’t standing square. It’s a practical bullet with a reputation for dependable penetration, and it earns that reputation every year in the field.

Nosler AccuBond

The AccuBond is a more streamlined option, but it still offers deep penetration thanks to its bonded core. It expands wider than some of the heavier-built bullets, yet it hangs onto enough weight to exit most deer shot from an angle.

If you like flatter trajectories but don’t want to give up controlled expansion, this bullet fits the gap nicely. Hunters who shoot longer ranges appreciate how it behaves on impact and still drives through heavy tissue. Even on quartering-away shots, it gives you a strong chance of seeing daylight on the other side.

Barnes TSX

The Barnes TSX is the older sibling to the TTSX, and it remains one of the toughest bullets around. With no lead core to separate, it stays intact and plows straight through deer-sized game more often than almost anything else.

The TSX opens slightly slower than the tipped version, which can help penetration on steeply angled shots. If you’re hunting in brush or expecting to deal with inconsistent angles, this bullet’s toughness gives you peace of mind. Many hunters running .30 caliber or larger rarely recover a TSX—they usually find a hole on the far side instead.

Swift Scirocco II

Carolina Caliber Company/GunBroker

The Swift Scirocco II pairs sleek design with real muscle. Unlike some high-BC bullets that can shed weight early, the bonded core keeps the Scirocco together long enough to give you a dependable exit on quartering shots.

Shooters using high-velocity rounds like the .270 Win or 7mm Rem Mag often notice how well this bullet handles bone. Expansion is consistent, but the solid core and thick jacket make sure the bullet doesn’t collapse. If you want something aerodynamic that still punches deep, the Scirocco II delivers.

Hornady GMX (Original Copper Series)

Before Hornady switched to the CX name, the GMX was their main copper bullet, and it earned a reputation for penetrating straight through deer. It expands cleanly but retains nearly all its weight, which is key when shooting at odd angles.

If you’re running a mid-speed deer cartridge, the GMX tends to hit, open, and carry on through the far side without much drama. Its design helps it resist deformation when it meets bone or heavier muscle. Hunters often report full exits on quartering shots even with lighter calibers.

Woodleigh Weldcore

The Woodleigh Weldcore is an old-school bonded bullet built for heavy penetration. While often used for larger game, it performs extremely well on deer when angles get tricky. Expansion stays moderate, and weight retention is excellent.

Because it’s designed with rugged construction in mind, it rarely loses the mass needed to exit even on longer angles. Hunters who value an exit hole over dramatic expansion appreciate its steady performance. Even in standard deer cartridges, the Weldcore punches through with surprising consistency.

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