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Does a heavier bullet kill better?

Discussion in 'Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics' started by BoomFlop, Oct 18, 2019.


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  1. Oct 18, 2019 #1
    BoomFlop

    BoomFlop Well-Known Member

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    For purposes of this conversation, let's us the following situation:

    308 Win 20" Barrel with 1-10 twist
    125 gr Nosler Accubond - Muzzle Velocity of 3105 fps - Muzzle Energy of 2676 ft.lbs.
    vs
    150 gr Nosler Accubond - Muzzle Velocity of 2805 fps - Muzzle Energy of 2621 ft.lbs.

    Let's say the range of the shot is not effected by BC difference and accuracy is the same. Shot placement being the same (I know impact is different), but regardless of high shoulder or lungs.

    Which one will be more effect on game and why do you believe that?

    Thank you,
    Steve
     
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  2. Oct 18, 2019 #2
    SilverbulletMAG

    SilverbulletMAG Well-Known Member

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    Grabbing my popcorn...:)
     
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  3. Oct 18, 2019 #3
    del2les

    del2les Well-Known Member

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    What game animal/size? Heavier and deeper tissue/bone etc will make a difference on penetration to vitals.
     
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  4. Oct 18, 2019 #4
    Creedmoor shooter

    Creedmoor shooter Well-Known Member

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    Heavy for caliber with some fragmentation and about 25-50% weight retention I've found is about ideal for deer and bear. My reasoning for this is more energy dump in the animal and fragmentation leads to not only a good permanent wound cavity carries through with the 25-50% weight retention, but also the temporary wound cavities caused by the fragmentation. I've seen fragmentation save our butts before on a marginal hit that where other wise a bullet that holds all its weight would never had hit the vitals. Just what I've found works for me. This is a pretty touchy subject especially for the crowd that thinks match bullets on game is bad ju-ju
     
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  5. Oct 18, 2019 #5
    laker

    laker Well-Known Member

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    I’m going to lean towards the higher velocity of the two. Now if it was a fragmenting bullet like a Berger I’d go for the heavier of the two for more shrapnel
     
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  6. Oct 18, 2019 #6
    BoomFlop

    BoomFlop Well-Known Member

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    Thin skinned game, such as deer and antelope.
     
  7. Oct 18, 2019 #7
    eklarsen

    eklarsen Well-Known Member

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    I'm near certain the animal in question will not be able to tell them apart and they will die the same with the delta between weights you provided.
     
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  8. Oct 18, 2019 #8
    dfanonymous

    dfanonymous Well-Known Member

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    Does a lion stretch before taking down a gazelle?
     
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  9. Oct 18, 2019 #9
    memtb

    memtb Well-Known Member

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    I suggest “apples to apples” ....then ask your question. Bullets of different types change the equation! memtb
     
  10. Oct 18, 2019 #10
    BoomFlop

    BoomFlop Well-Known Member

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    memtb

    Hiw is my example not as “apples to apples” as it can get? They are both Accubonds of different weight?

    I’m confused?

    Steve
     
  11. Oct 18, 2019 #11
    Buster Hemlock

    Buster Hemlock Well-Known Member

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    If I'm reading your question right your asking for these two bullets with your given speeds and energy and the BC is equal for the two (which in reality isn't true)? If so then the faster moving bullet will create more hydrostatic shock and will expand appropriately at a farther range and the minor difference in energy wouldn't be worth considering. But BC's in the real world aren't the same for the two. What are you asking or trying to figure out?
     
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  12. Oct 18, 2019 #12
    memtb

    memtb Well-Known Member

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    Please forgive.....not sure how I misread that! :confused:

    Now to attempt to answer: on a smaller game animal Pronghorn/ average Southern Whitetail ....you may see a bit more immediate response to the lighter faster bullet. Though, I think that death of animal will be very similar. On a larger game animal, large mule deer, mountain goat, elk, moose, I don’t think either would show much evidence of a hit. However, I think you would be better much better served with the heavier bullet. JMO memtb
     
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  13. Oct 18, 2019 #13
    BoomFlop

    BoomFlop Well-Known Member

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    Buster Hemlock

    Basically, which one of those bullets will kill better at say 125 or 200 yards for example? You can use a 150 gr SST or a 165 gr SST, don’t matter. All I am wanting to know is if you feel a heavier bullet kills better if the only difference maker is the weight of the bullet and speed.

    Hope that clarifies it better.

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
  14. Oct 18, 2019 #14
    Hespco

    Hespco Well-Known Member

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    If your using one of the copper mono's like Barnes every thing changes. Copper mono's even in light for cal weight far out penetrate heavier C&C bullets including the partition. The mono's tend to retain all or almost all of their starting weight which means more momentum , thus deeper penetration. The copper mono's are a homogeneous solid with an expanding nose.
     
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