Range Report Caliber Effectivness
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Re: Caliber Effectivness
If you look up something like 44 mag on wikipedia, somewhere on that page is a link to the "major power" and "minor" power factors. On those pages are some more links to other ways to consider the stopping power effectiveness of a certain round.
If you look up something like 44 mag on wikipedia, somewhere on that page is a link to the "major power" and "minor" power factors. On those pages are some more links to other ways to consider the stopping power effectiveness of a certain round.
Re: Caliber Effectivness
Way to many variable to give you cut and dry answers. I will give you a generic answer. The bigger, heavier and faster the bullet the better job it does on making what it hits move away from whats hitting it
Way to many variable to give you cut and dry answers. I will give you a generic answer. The bigger, heavier and faster the bullet the better job it does on making what it hits move away from whats hitting it
Re: Caliber Effectivness
Let's consider game - as I've shot deer, wild boar and elk... Years ago I thought the more powerful cartridges were more effective... Now, with much more experience, I know for sure what I should have known from the beginning, that Shot Placement is the best means of assuring an effective hit.
Year after year I hunt mule deer with a bunch of different friends and family. Our rifles normally range from the little 6mm Remington up to the .30 cal magnums and even the big slow movers like the .45/70 and the .50 cal muzzle loaders.
Here's the key - Instant Death can't be beat - no matter how big a bullet you're tossing or how fast it's going. I've seen that little 6mm Remington or my .25-06, with 100 - 115 gr bullets absolutely drop mulies deader than a doornail with a single shot at ranges from 25 or 30 yards out to 400+ yards. I've seen the same Instant Death from the big, slow traditional muzzle loader too. A 385 gr hollow point at a mere 1400 fps may not sound very impressive but it has dropped deer like they were hit with a sledgehammer for me.
The key is shot placement. Take out what makes 'em live and they drop like a hot rock. Vastly more important than cartridge choice.
That said - given bigger animals - I'd opt for more bullet/more power in order to make sure of enough penetration to get into the vitals.
There ya go - my thoughts - the little 6mm/100 gr bullet at 3000 fps is just as effective on deer as the .30 cal/180 gr bullet at 3000 fps... From my observations. A good hit with either results in instant death. A poor hit with either and you've got a mess.
Regards, Guy
Let's consider game - as I've shot deer, wild boar and elk... Years ago I thought the more powerful cartridges were more effective... Now, with much more experience, I know for sure what I should have known from the beginning, that Shot Placement is the best means of assuring an effective hit.
Year after year I hunt mule deer with a bunch of different friends and family. Our rifles normally range from the little 6mm Remington up to the .30 cal magnums and even the big slow movers like the .45/70 and the .50 cal muzzle loaders.
Here's the key - Instant Death can't be beat - no matter how big a bullet you're tossing or how fast it's going. I've seen that little 6mm Remington or my .25-06, with 100 - 115 gr bullets absolutely drop mulies deader than a doornail with a single shot at ranges from 25 or 30 yards out to 400+ yards. I've seen the same Instant Death from the big, slow traditional muzzle loader too. A 385 gr hollow point at a mere 1400 fps may not sound very impressive but it has dropped deer like they were hit with a sledgehammer for me.
The key is shot placement. Take out what makes 'em live and they drop like a hot rock. Vastly more important than cartridge choice.
That said - given bigger animals - I'd opt for more bullet/more power in order to make sure of enough penetration to get into the vitals.
There ya go - my thoughts - the little 6mm/100 gr bullet at 3000 fps is just as effective on deer as the .30 cal/180 gr bullet at 3000 fps... From my observations. A good hit with either results in instant death. A poor hit with either and you've got a mess.
Regards, Guy
Re: Caliber Effectivness
Terminal energy and bullet terminal performance at various terminal energy levels are key factors. Muzzle energy, distance and BC figure heavily in the effective terminal energy. Bullet construction determines bullet performance. Commercial bullet and ammunition manufacturers' recommendations will serve as a primarily reliable and advantageous guide. They have little to gain by misrepresenting their products. Shooters will get the word out wide with minimal delay if they try.
As chamberings go, old school recommendations based on the .30-'06 are hard to fault. Newer .308-based chamberings can be ultra efficient without being overly energetic. The newer short mags are part hype, part superior technology.
Choices abound, experience is what counts.
Greg
Terminal energy and bullet terminal performance at various terminal energy levels are key factors. Muzzle energy, distance and BC figure heavily in the effective terminal energy. Bullet construction determines bullet performance. Commercial bullet and ammunition manufacturers' recommendations will serve as a primarily reliable and advantageous guide. They have little to gain by misrepresenting their products. Shooters will get the word out wide with minimal delay if they try.
As chamberings go, old school recommendations based on the .30-'06 are hard to fault. Newer .308-based chamberings can be ultra efficient without being overly energetic. The newer short mags are part hype, part superior technology.
Choices abound, experience is what counts.
Greg
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