Originally Posted by SteveG
With decent bullets, the product of energy and sectional density will give a good idea of penetrating destructiveness.
Bill St.Clair's muzzle energy computer is here:
http://billstclair.com/energy.html

Plug in your bullet weight, down range velocity, and bullet caliber and you will get the computations.
For example, a 45ACP with 230gr @800fps(muzzle) gives an E*SD of 53, and is not something you would want to shoot an elk with.
A 150gr 30/30 with a velocity of 1700fps(200yds) gives an E*SD =229, which would be about the absolute minimum,IMO, for sport hunting of elk. But the biggest you can shoot accurately is best.

A 300gr .375H&H downrange 200yds with velocity slowed to 2200 has an E*SD of 983!

A 270 gr .375 at 500yds with velocity of 1933fps still has an E*SD over 600.



SD is as moot as "energy". SD doesn't take into account,THE most important facet of comparison...projectile integrity/construction. As per SD,ALL boolits of like diameter/weight have identical values,which is the grandest of ruses in their relative abilities,when extrapolated to eachother.

Here is the ascending order of what controls terminal affects.

1) Placement
2) Projectile integrity
3) Headstamp

You boys and your Fluff.................


Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."