Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only The great 458 Winchester. Everyone should own one at least once

By the way, Sir Bob,

The Mitchell Terminal Effect Index = (Kinetic Energy at Impact) x (Sectional Density) x (Cross Sectional Area of Bullet)

MTE Index = KE x SD x CSA

This may be simply computed from velocity in fps of bullet at impact (V) and bullet weight in grains (W).
Bullet diameter cancels out by multiplying SD and CSA.

MTE Index = (V squared/450387) x (W squared/8920)

MTE Index = [(V^2)/450387] x [(W^2)/8920]

That is a simple pocket calculator calculation with only 2 variables to be input, bullet velocity and bullet weight.

Actually makes sense, because if the KE down range is great, it is only going to happen with a heavy bullet that maintained velocity well.
To have the required good BC requires SD.
To be heavy requires CSA.
The MTE Index favors bullet weight as much as velocity, same exponent,
and the "down range" velocity aspect is dependent on caliber and weight (SD) contributions to BC.
Circular logic ?
Certainly better than KE alone.