I'd take a look at the 212 great Hornady ELD. Fired from a 3006 it has more energy at 400 yards than a 180 gr partition from a 300 mag. It has more energy at 125 yards than a 220 great RN fired from a 300 mag. Aerodynamics matter even at moderate ranges. I can only imagine what it does at 300 mag speeds
Nothing personal....I ran these numbers last night on the ballistics calculator,but used a 300 Weatherby with a 180 NPT at 3200 fps against the 30/06 and the 210 VLD at 2700 fps.. Turns out at those velocity levels the 180 NPT beat the 210VLD in just about every category.Like you say the numbers can look close.
Energy figures are swell on paper, but since I've stoned bull elk where they stood out to400- 500 yards with a 180 NPT a few times,and after smashing the onside shoulder at near 500,and recovered what was left of the 180 Partition clear back against the rear ham on the opposite side,folks will have to forgive me if I ignore the paper ballistics.
I could also talk about the Alaskan brownie I saw wither like an empty puppet after he took a 180 NPT through the chest at about 100 yards from a 300 Weatherby.Or another big herd bull I killed that collapsed at 70-80 yards from a 180 NPT from a 300 Win Mag that broke both shoulders.
I've used the 200 gr Partition on game as well from both the 300 Win and Weatherby,as well and it's just more of very much the same thing.
During all these years I never looked at an energy number, kill quotient,or other formula which purports to quantify killing effectiveness,which tend to fall flat on their face in light of bullet performance on animals.
I could go on ad nauseum but I am not going to trade dependable expansion and deep penetration of a Partition (and similar designs) for a thin jacketed C&C bullet just based on its paper ballistics.
Especially since i don't aspire to kill them at much over 600,where i think these high BC specialty bullets come into their own. For that I suspect they are swell....but 1000 yards is beyond my abilities and desire.
I am not much for chasing energy numbers.
Please forgive the rant....
