Formidilosus �
�Energy transfer is not a �myth�. Without energy being transferred to the target (or momentum if you prefer, the two are inextricably related), absolutely NO damage is done to the target. That means not the slightest wounding - zip, zero, nada � and the animal walks on totally unscathed.
Bullet mass and velocity determine the momentum and energy possessed by a bullet. A bullet may not transfer all its energy/momentum to a target but no bullet can transfer more energy or momentum than it possesses. Fackler acknowledges this when he states the following:
Bullet mass and bullet striking velocity establish a bullet's potential; they set the limit on the tissue disruption it can produce.
Fackler then goes on to acknowledge the role that bullet shape and construction play in energy transfer:
Bullet shape and construction determine how much of this potential is actually used to disrupt tissue; they are the major determinants of bullet effect.
Tools are only as good as the person that uses them. Energy and momentum figures are no different but they are hardly useless. Taking things to extremes for the purpose of demonstration, consider the following loads:
.17 Mach2 with 15.5g bullet @ 2050fps, 149fpe
.30-30 with 150g bullet @ 2050fps, 1400fpe
Knowing nothing else about the two loads, which would you choose for elk? The velocity is the same so velocity can�t be the determining factor. If you accept �energy transfer� is a �myth� and �momentum� is �junk-science� then energy and momentum don�t matter and the difference in bullet mass is irrelevant. That leaves you with the .30-30�s larger diameter as the only reason left for choosing the .30-30. Not even VP Biden is that dumb.
Now consider the following:
.30-30 with 150g bullet @ 2050fps, 1400fpe
.270 Win with 150g bullet @ 2840fps, 2686fpe
Both are acceptable for elk at close range but which one are you going to want at 500 yards where the .30-30 load retains 907fps/274fpe and the .270 Win retains 1929fps/1239fpe? The .270 Win is smaller diameter so greater diameter isn�t the determining factor. If you are like most people the .270 Win would be the easy choice but since you�ve already stated �energy transfer� is a �myth� and momentum �junk-science�, just what are you going to base you decision on?
The truth is that energy/momentum (take your pick) must be transferred to an animal to create wounding. The laws of physics demand �equal and opposite� reaction � the more energy/momentum that is transferred the greater the wounding.
Choosing between two bullets with different velocities but the same mass, the one with the greater velocity has greater wounding �potential� per Fackler and the laws of physics. The construction of the bullets determines how and how much of that �potential� (which is actually momentum and kinetic energy) gets transferred to the target. A fast, sharp spire-pointed solid with lots of energy may zip through with little effect (not much energy transfer) while a slower expanding bullet may transfer much more or all of its energy and create far more wounding.
Energy/momentum figures are just tools to be used for comparison. Bullet construction, weight, velocity and energy figures, when taken alone, don�t begin to tell the whole story. They are all just tools for comparison but are far from useless.
