Once again, bullets and animals. Bullets impart their energy in a small area over milliseconds.
The question is, in that context is "kinetic energy" a good yardstick....
Energy is like S.D. its not wise to generalise with either.
Sitka Deers BG with 80grain mono SD .173 with about 1200 ft/lb.
is far from the minimums typically recommended by old school trains of thought.
If he had told 24cf readers they was planning to hunt moose with such projectile,
he would have been shot down by some.
TYPE of projectile can have significant effect on where energy is spent inside an animal,
and effect how much minimum energy is required for lethality. Its possible to spend less
KE and achieve superior performance.
The amount of KE in bowhunting demonstrates how little KE is needed if you select the
correct projectile...
..tests by Ashby are valuable reading.( abbreviated)
"Longbow 788 grain compressed cedar arrow, 190 grain Grizzly broadhead, at 148 fps 38 ft.lbs KE
was used to repeatedly shoot through the scapula of a large zebra stallion and through the thorax to the off side, often
breaking off-side ribs (never failing to penetrate the scapula and completely through the thorax). ......
compared to:
Compound 555 grain aluminum shafted Black Diamond This combination gives 229fps 65 ft.lbs. KE,
penetrate only 5 to 8 inched beyond the scapula, and occasionally failed to penetrate the scapula at all on that same
zebra carcass......next,
Compound 450 grain carbon arrow - three blade head, vel. 259fps 76 ft.lbs. KE ,unable to penetrate the zebra scapula."
