Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Originally Posted by Igloo
Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Bore diameter doesn't matter as much as the EXPANDED diameter of the particular bullet--which is often not closely related to bore diameter.

This can also apply to so-called "solid" bullets, depending on the nose-shape of the bullet.

John,

Depending on the thicknness of the critter and where you hit it first, is most of the damage kind of done before the the expanded diameter of the bullet really means anything? Inasmuch as lets say you hit a deer/moose broadside with a 308 win and the bullet expands to .6", the lungs and heart certainly have a lot more cavitation than a .6" hole going through them.

Or....is the expansion part of that equation and more is more, period?


I know what you mean about the solids....wide meplat definitely works better than pointy. But I just kinda figure unless you, lets say, hit a bigass shoulder first and it soaks up all the drama, the final diameter of the bullet aint the primary wounding mechanism unless you're shooting a sloooowww bullet like a pistola?

Or I could be way off here. Certainly wouldn't be the first time.

The final diameter of the bullet also has a large affect on the amount of cavitation--which is also affected by velocity. Also, a bullet that expands to a flat-faced or even cupped front results in more cavitation than a rounded "mushroom." Which is also why "cupped" solids do more damage than flat-nosed solids.

One common misconception is that different bullets expand slower or faster. But considerable testing shows most start expanding when they hit skin, and normally expand completely by the time they penetrate their own length--and very few big game bullets are even two inches long. This is also why the area around the entrance hole usually has the most bloodshot and shredded meat.

The exception to this is some high-BC, hollow-point bullets where the hollow-point is actually closed, or nearly so. Instead of the hollow-point initiating expansion, as it does in hunting bullets with a larger opening, it collapses inward, so expansion's delayed somewhat. This is why Berger Hunting VLDs normally don't expand until penetrating 2-3 inches.


Thank you. Understood.


My theory was always that even if they started and finished expansion at the same rate, one might do so more violently, causing more tissue damage/destruction through tissue simply not being elastic enough to survive the temporary cavitation than the other.

Say, a 30 cal 180 grain ballistic tip vs a 180 grain A-Frame. The innards are quite a bit more pulped than shooting them with a .60" or so non expanding projectile would make them.

But, we all learn as we go! Or, ideally, we're supposed to haha. I had not considered mushroomed bullet shape either.

Again, thanks for the answer.

Last edited by Igloo; 07/31/23.
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