Range Report Question about bullet ballistics

[kaufenpreis]

What is the perfect penetration for a bullet to be a real manstopper?

I've read several articles on this, but I find many different answers.
The old FBI ballistics handbook said that at least 18" of penetration is needed, but it seems that some experts like Chuck Hawks believe that too much penetration is bad.
So, how many inches is the perfect penetration?

Also, what is better:
A bullet that penetrates deep enough to exit the body, but with little expansion;
OR a bullet that does not penetrate deep enough to reach vitals, yet expands enough to deliver the full amount of kinetic energy?

Sorry for such a long question.

 

[Aimsmall55]

I tend to like about 7" of penetration. It's good to go for me and usually sends the "perpetrator" into a bucking, convulsive like trance.

I don't know. That's a complicated question. For home defense, I'd like the bullet to stop inside the poor bastard that decided to grace my homes presence. Reason : my wife and 7 month old boy. Now, if I was forced to defend myself without the risk of innocent bystanders being hit... Whatever puts em down the fastest.

 

[Aimsmall55]

In all seriousness. I'd say KINETIC ENERGY is your friend regardless if your life is in danger. It's kind of like the AK VS the M4. Yeah the M4 is more accurate per say but alot of soldiers say that a 5.56 round just stuns em. You gotta put several rounds in em to get em down. Now the AK... It's kinetic energy is devastating. More mass = more knockdown power