terminal ballistics

[j_22250]

which bullets transfer kinetic energy better than others?

i am mainlly wondering about medium game, but would be interested to hear opinions for maybe even bigger animals like bear or moose.

here's the choices:
heavy and slow or light and fast?
short and fat or long and skinny?

i'm also wondering about specific fps, that people perfer with these killers.

i've heard plenty on this subject over the years and i know that shot placement is what matters most. i've also learned that everyone seems to have their own preferences they swear by.

 

[M700]

Might want to get a copy of this book, for an in-depth discussion of different bullet types, and their performance on game.

http://www.riflebullets.net/

I found some useful information in there. Bullet performance fascinates me. I'm not a big believer in some magic number for killing game. Not sure "kinetic energy" transfer has much to do with it either. Am a big fan of putting a good bullet in a vital area, such as the heart/lungs or a CNS shot. Haven't seen much (if any) difference in killing power on deer between various different size and power levels of cartridges. The little 6mm & .243 Win kill just as quickly as the .30-06 and similar cartridges from my observations.

Again, from my own observations, a bullet which expands violently in the chest cavity, such as the Nosler Ballistic Tip, Hornady SST, and the Berger VLD, produce very quick kills.

That said, I've seen instant death from both fast & light as well as from heavy and slow... Kind of tough to beat "instant."

The one constant in producing quick kills has been good shot placement.

Regards, Guy

 

[j_22250]

that looks like a good book. i'll have to add it to my x-mas list.

 

[cmillard]

shot placement is everything. look at the old .30-30, not a lot of power, but it has a big slow moving bullet that has kill TONS of medium sized game

 

[M700]

I've got to agree. Shot placement is the single most important element of dropping game quickly. Also, with the .30-30, somebody figured that thing out a long time ago and they got it right. Although I don't hunt with one anymore, a couple of my buddies still do so. They get great results. That modest sized, slow moving bullet with all that lead exposed at the tip is a terrific killer.

Regards, Guy