Originally Posted by Mikewriter
If we start comparing the 10mm - or any other handgun - to a rifle for hunting, as Craig C seems to be doing, the handgun loses. It has less velocity and energy, and is more difficult to place a precise shot with. These are simple facts. Comparing the 10mm to other handguns, however, is different. The 10mm has power and fire-power, and at handgun ranges, when shots are placed well, should do a good job on most medium and a lot of large game. As Mackay said, you have to hit the animal - and hit it well - and at times rapid follow-up shots can be very helpful, without getting into a "spray and pray" mindset.


A properly loaded handgun in the proper caliber does not take a back seat in the terminal department. Energy is meaningless in predicting lethality and anyone that thinks other wise is misinformed.


Exit in a mature bull elk's rib cage from a 180 grain fired from a 300 win mag. Bullet impacted with about 2600 fps, calculating to 2700 FPE. I am holding a 300 win mag cartridge for size comparison.

[Linked Image]


Exit in the same elk's rib cage from a 440 grain wid flat point hard cast fired from a 500 JRH at about 950 fps for 888 FPE.

[Linked Image]


The bullet with the least energy in this case did the most damage from start to finish.


I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first