foot pounds of energy
- Thread starter BULLET 05
- Start date
Why do you post the same thing twice?
As to foot pounds, it depends on the bullet design and velocity - a fast, fragile bullet needs much less energy than a heavy, tough bullet at the same velocity. Some guys quote ~400 ft pounds - with good bullets, I think 1/2 of that will do.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
No requirement for ethical kills on varmints so don't see how this is relevant. If the bullet penetrates and kills. Good to go.
I disagree 100%.
If I am intentionally trying to kill something, I owe that creature my honest effort at a quick, clean, non-suffering death.
I don't care if it's a big whitetail buck or a lowly groundhog.
If I pull the trigger, I'm only doing it if I think I can make a humane kill.
I also disagree (110%).... nothing deserves a lingering death because the "sportsman" has poor ethics.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Well when you are killing something just to kill it with no intention of using it for sustenance, ethics can't really be a discussion. Of course nobody trues to intentionally wound varmints, but if that occurs, nobody is gonna lose sleep over it.
A true sportsman hunter is a person that loves a challenge and not a sure thing?
I challenge myself to place a bullet through the same hole every time on a 100 yard target.
A person that would kill just for pleasure as a challenge may not understand me.
I challenge myself to place a bullet through the same hole every time on a 100 yard target.
A person that would kill just for pleasure as a challenge may not understand me.
Ethical behavior does not come naturally, it starts by having respect for the hunted. Ethical hunters have respect for the animal they are hunting(shooting) regardless of its description. Sustenance doesn't enter into it( at least not for me). Sure coyotes, ground hogs, prairie dogs etc are killed because of the damage they do but they are all animals that get my respect despite my goal of dispatching them (cleanly and as humanely as possible). Still really not sure if I have an answer to the original question or not. My 17 hmr takes care of all the above at 200 yd +/- ranges quickly and humanely and I'm certain it's ft lb impact is much less than 400 lbs. More like 130-140 at 100 yds. This is plenty with that 17-20 grain highly frangible bullet moving along at 1900-2050 fps at the same range. Like xbbrshooter posted, it's about the bullet design.
My answer to you question could fill the library of congress: There are many factors involved to end the life of a living thing quickly and with minimum suffering.
The best way may be to blow the head off of the body in a fraction of a second.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Not saying that I don't care about killing them humanely, but I'm also not saying that I won't shoot one with a 22LR if it's within range. A good shot with a 22LR will kill a ground hog with no problem, so I don't see any relevance of energy delivered by much more powerful centerfire rounds.
True. I've killed many with a break action air rifle at close ranges with head shots. I believe I've killed many WChuck's in West VA with my .22 LR at less than 100 yards as a youngster. Many made it to there den before I could get to them but at closer ranges, one good clean shot will kill them on the spot. Guess I was only saying that most of us hunters DO practice ethical shooting of animals regardless of what it is, equally because we all like to make great shots whether on paper or hide.
potatoe
Silver $$ Contributor
I think this thread wins for best worst answers. If you boys want to grandstand and criticize take it to one of the lower forums.
OP: I personally want a decent amount of energy for groundhog hunting for longer range hunting( using varmint/hunting bullets . I don't really have a hard number but I generally would rule out once the bullet stated getting in the 5-600 ft #mark. You can obviously still get kills much lower but normally the distance is out there a good ways by the time most varmint cartridges get that low so the chance of a head shot is quite hard and a body shot doesn't guarantee a quick kill. Ideally I'd want 750+ for the intended yardages that I plan to shoot but this is just what I use for my long range ground hog guns, short range can be reduced because of a higher probability of a good shot
OP: I personally want a decent amount of energy for groundhog hunting for longer range hunting( using varmint/hunting bullets . I don't really have a hard number but I generally would rule out once the bullet stated getting in the 5-600 ft #mark. You can obviously still get kills much lower but normally the distance is out there a good ways by the time most varmint cartridges get that low so the chance of a head shot is quite hard and a body shot doesn't guarantee a quick kill. Ideally I'd want 750+ for the intended yardages that I plan to shoot but this is just what I use for my long range ground hog guns, short range can be reduced because of a higher probability of a good shot
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Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
45 acp MUZZLE energy with 230gr bullet is in the area of 290-380 ft lbs. depending on your load or ammunition you use. Even at point blank range with the gun pressed to the critter's chest, I guess that wouldn't be enough for some of these folks' ground hogs...
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
Holy Cow Batman
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Ok I give. I'll start respecting little critters that I shoot to save farmers crops, cattle ankles, and for my own sick amusement. I will throw away all my ammo that doesn't meet y'alls requirements. And whenever I miss a little and wound one, I'll pray for forgiveness...
potatoe
Silver $$ Contributor
The 750 mark was meant for the long range, when a high percentage hit is much tougher, a close range gun (250 yds or less) then that number can decrease because it's not as hard not make the head/chest shots and you don't have the wind giving you as much trouble.
At 250# you are not bringing much to the table, that logic is saying a .220 swift is a 700+ yd gun.
At 250# you are not bringing much to the table, that logic is saying a .220 swift is a 700+ yd gun.
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