Bullets and Bounty: Wild West Showdown with Revolutionary DuelReels™ Mechanics
Bullets and Bounty by Hacksaw Gaming transports players to the dusty plains of the Wild West where Katherine 'Quick Draw Kate' O'Callaghan, the Belle of the Bounty Board, hunts down outlaws for massive rewards. This 5-reel, 3-row slot with 19 paylines combines medium volatility with innovative DuelReels™ technology and three distinct bonus modes that can deliver wins up to 20,000 times your stake.
DuelReels™ System: The Core Innovation
The defining feature of Bullets and Bounty is the DuelReels™ mechanic. When a VS symbol lands on any reel, it expands to cover all three positions, transforming into an Outlaw DuelReel displaying a dramatic shootout scene. Similarly, Bounty VS symbols trigger Bounty DuelReels with progressive multipliers.
What makes this system exceptional is the multiplier range: each DuelReel can award multipliers from 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, all the way up to 100x. When multiple Outlaw DuelReels appear in a winning combination, their multipliers add together rather than multiply, creating substantial win potential even in the base game.
Three-Tiered Bonus System Explained
Bullets and Bounty offers three progressively powerful bonus modes, each triggered by landing different numbers of FS scatter symbols:
True Grit Bonus (3 FS Scatters)
Landing 3 FS scatters activates the True Grit bonus, presenting you with a critical decision: accept 10 free spins with progressive Bounty Hunter multipliers, or gamble on the 6-chamber revolver.
The gamble feature displays a revolver cylinder with 6 chambers. Chambers 1 and 2 award the Four Shots to Freedom bonus, chambers 3 and 4 give 5x your bet as a cash prize, chamber 5 awards 10x, and chamber 6 delivers 20x. This creates a strategic element where players must weigh guaranteed free spins against the possibility of triggering the superior bonus or walking away with instant cash multipliers.
If you choose the free spins route, you receive 10 spins where Bounty Hunter multipliers progressively increase. Landing 2 additional FS scatters during the feature awards 2 extra spins, while 3 scatters give 4 additional spins, extending your bonus session.
Four Shots to Freedom (4 FS Scatters)
This premium bonus mode, triggered by 4 FS scatters or won through the True Grit gamble, provides 10 free spins with the unique Bullets & Bounty Bar mechanism positioned outside the main grid.
The Bullets & Bounty Bar fills as Bounty Hunter symbols land during your spins. Reaching specific thresholds triggers DuelSpin levels:
- Level 1: Collect 2 Bounty Hunters to trigger a DuelSpin with minimum 2 VS symbols guaranteed, plus 3 extra spins
- Level 2: Collect 3 Bounty Hunters for a DuelSpin with minimum 3 VS symbols, plus 3 extra spins
- Level 3: Collect 4 Bounty Hunters for a DuelSpin with minimum 4 VS symbols, plus 3 extra spins
- Level 4: Collect 5 Bounty Hunters for a DuelSpin with minimum 5 VS symbols covering all reels, plus 3 extra spins
The DuelSpin mechanic guarantees multiple DuelReels simultaneously, creating scenarios where additive multipliers across all reels can generate extraordinary wins. Reaching Level 4 with all five reels as DuelReels represents the pinnacle of win potential in this feature.
Hidden Epic Bonus: Go Ahead, Make Her Day (5 FS Scatters)
The rarest and most powerful bonus in Bullets and Bounty requires landing 5 FS scatter symbols. This Hidden Epic Bonus awards 10 free spins starting immediately at DuelSpin Level 1 with progressive Bounty Hunter multipliers active from the first spin.
Beginning at Level 1 means you start with enhanced win potential and can progress through all four DuelSpin levels during your session, with each level guaranteeing more VS symbols and awarding additional spins. This combination of guaranteed DuelReels and progressive multipliers creates the pathway to the slot's maximum win of 20,000x your stake.
Symbol Payouts and Paytable Structure
Bullets and Bounty uses a two-tier symbol system combining low-value card suits with thematic Wild West symbols:
| Symbol | 3 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 5 of a Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card Suits (Spade, Heart, Club, Diamond) | 0.02x | 0.05x | 0.10x |
| Wagon Wheel | 0.05x | 0.10x | 0.20x |
| Bull Skull | 0.06x | 0.12x | 0.25x |
| Whiskey Bottle | 0.07x | 0.15x | 0.30x |
| Cowboy Hat | 0.10x | 0.20x | 0.50x |
| Sheriff Badge | 0.20x | 0.50x | 1.00x |
| Wild / VS / Bounty VS | - | - | 3.00x |
The Wild symbol appears as red dynamite bundles and substitutes for all paytable symbols except scatters. Importantly, VS and Bounty VS symbols also pay 3.00x for five of a kind while simultaneously triggering their DuelReel functions, adding payout value beyond their multiplier effects.
Feature Buy Options and RTP Variations
Bullets and Bounty offers five distinct Feature Buy options, each with slightly different RTP values:
- Bonushunt Featurespins™ (0.30 EUR): 96.24% RTP without gamble, 96.33% with always gamble. Each spin has 5x higher probability to trigger bonus games.
- Bad Blood Featurespins™ (6.00 EUR): 96.36% RTP. Guarantees at least 2 VS symbols, Bounty VS symbols, or a combination land on every spin.
- Draw or Die Featurespins™ (6.00 EUR): 96.29% RTP. High volatility mode guaranteeing at least 1 Bounty VS symbol every spin.
- True Grit (7.00 EUR): 96.26% RTP. Direct access to the True Grit bonus with gamble or free spin choice.
- Four Shots to Freedom (20.00 EUR): 96.30% RTP. Immediate entry to the premium bonus with Bullets & Bounty Bar mechanics.
The Bad Blood Featurespins™ option offers the highest RTP at 96.36%, making it mathematically the most favourable purchase for players seeking optimal return percentages. However, the Draw or Die option provides high volatility gameplay for those chasing larger but less frequent wins.
Volatility Profile and Win Frequency
With a volatility rating of 2 out of 5 stars, Bullets and Bounty sits in the medium volatility range. This positioning creates a balanced gameplay experience where wins occur with reasonable frequency, but the DuelReels™ mechanic and bonus features provide pathways to substantial multipliers.
The 96.27% base game RTP is competitive for the medium volatility category, and the various Feature Buy options allow players to adjust both volatility and RTP according to their preferences. The maximum exposure of 20,000x represents significant win potential for a medium volatility slot, achievable primarily through the Hidden Epic Bonus or high-level DuelSpins in Four Shots to Freedom.
Strategic Considerations for Optimal Play
Understanding the mathematics behind Bullets and Bounty enhances strategic decision-making:
Gamble Decision in True Grit: The revolver gamble offers 33.3% chance (chambers 1-2) to win the superior Four Shots to Freedom bonus, 33.3% chance (chambers 3-4) for 5x cash, 16.7% chance (chamber 5) for 10x, and 16.7% chance (chamber 6) for 20x. The expected value of gambling versus taking the guaranteed free spins depends on your risk tolerance and bankroll management strategy.
Feature Buy Selection: If purchasing features, Bad Blood Featurespins™ provides the highest RTP at 96.36% whilst maintaining medium volatility. Draw or Die suits players seeking higher risk-reward profiles despite slightly lower RTP.
Base Game Strategy: The 19 paylines operate left to right from the leftmost reel. Wins are evaluated across all paylines simultaneously, and DuelReel multipliers apply to any winning combination passing through that reel. Multiple small symbol wins across different paylines can accumulate into significant total wins when DuelReels with high multipliers are active.
Visual Design and Thematic Execution
Hacksaw Gaming has crafted an authentic Wild West atmosphere with Bullets and Bounty. The game screen presents a desert landscape at dusk with grey stormy clouds, sandy terrain, and towering saguaro cacti framing the reels. The 5x3 grid sits within a dark wooden frame decorated with rope details, evoking the aesthetic of an Old West saloon or frontier outpost.
Katherine 'Quick Draw Kate' O'Callaghan stands to the right of the reels as an animated character with flowing red hair, brown cowboy hat, red bandana, and rifle in hand. Her presence reinforces the bounty hunter narrative whilst adding dynamic visual interest to the gameplay.
The DuelReel animations deserve particular mention. When VS or Bounty VS symbols trigger, the entire reel transforms into a dramatic duel scene with detailed character artwork and explosive visual effects. These animations maintain engagement without significantly extending spin times, respecting player preferences for gameplay pace.
Mobile Optimisation and Technical Performance
Built on Hacksaw Gaming's HTML5 platform (server version 2.0.240), Bullets and Bounty delivers seamless performance across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The control panel features large, touch-friendly buttons including dedicated Buy Bonus, Menu, Autoplay, and Info buttons.
The game includes comprehensive keyboard shortcuts for desktop players: SHIFT + B opens the bonus menu, SHIFT + A accesses autoplay settings, SHIFT + Arrow UP/DOWN adjusts bet levels, and SHIFT + T toggles turbo mode. These shortcuts enhance accessibility and allow experienced players to navigate efficiently.
Autoplay functionality includes granular controls with options for 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 500, or 1000 automatic spins, configurable loss limits (5x, 20x, 50x bet, no limit, or custom), single win limits (10x, 20x, 75x bet, no limit, or custom), and the ability to stop on special feature wins. This level of autoplay customisation supports responsible gambling practices whilst accommodating various playing styles.
Comparison with Hacksaw Gaming's Portfolio
Within Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue, Bullets and Bounty occupies a unique position. Whilst the developer is known for high-volatility titles with extreme maximum wins, this slot's medium volatility and 20,000x maximum exposure make it more accessible to players who prefer balanced gameplay with regular wins alongside occasional larger payouts.
The DuelReels™ mechanic represents an evolution of expanding symbol features, adding the multiplier element to create more dynamic outcomes than simple expanding wilds or symbols. This innovation distinguishes Bullets and Bounty from standard Wild West-themed slots in the market.
Who Should Play Bullets and Bounty?
Bullets and Bounty suits several player profiles:
- Medium volatility enthusiasts: Players seeking balanced gameplay with reasonable hit frequency but substantial win potential will appreciate the 2/5 volatility rating combined with 20,000x maximum exposure.
- Feature variety seekers: The three distinct bonus modes, multiple Feature Buy options, and DuelReels™ base game mechanics provide gameplay variety that maintains long-term engagement.
- Strategic decision-makers: The gamble option in True Grit and the choice between different Feature Buy options appeal to players who enjoy making strategic decisions that affect their gameplay experience.
- Wild West theme fans: The authentic frontier atmosphere, detailed character design, and narrative elements create an immersive thematic experience for players attracted to Western settings.
Final Assessment
Bullets and Bounty demonstrates Hacksaw Gaming's capacity to create mechanically sophisticated slots that balance innovation with accessibility. The DuelReels™ system provides the core engagement factor, transforming standard spins into potential high-multiplier events. The three-tiered bonus structure ensures progression in both complexity and win potential, whilst the Feature Buy options accommodate different playing styles and bankroll sizes.
The 96.27% base RTP sits comfortably within industry standards, and the various Feature Buy RTPs ranging up to 96.36% provide mathematically sound options for players seeking specific volatility profiles. The 20,000x maximum win represents genuine jackpot potential whilst remaining achievable through the Hidden Epic Bonus and high-level DuelSpins rather than requiring astronomically unlikely symbol combinations.
For players seeking a Wild West slot that combines thematic authenticity with innovative mechanics, balanced volatility with substantial win potential, and strategic depth with straightforward gameplay, Bullets and Bounty delivers a comprehensive package. The slot's medium volatility makes it suitable for extended sessions, whilst the DuelReels™ and multi-level bonus features ensure that significant wins remain within reach on any spin.