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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Effect of bullet diameter (caliber) on terminal performance.
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<blockquote data-quote="dig" data-source="post: 608938" data-attributes="member: 26939"><p>Elephants can be different story, and the reason Bell used a small caliber is because of his violent experience with large bores (8 bore black powder) and cost factors as was a market Hunter (hunted for profit). </p><p> </p><p>While I am no expert but have killed and seen Elephant killed penetration for a brain shot can work and calibers like the .375 H&H with solids tend to penetrate as well or better than the large doubles say 470 NE. However, the big bores are much better for heart shots and/or shoulders to break them down and of course charges with more margin for error.</p><p> </p><p>As LTLR stated there are minimum caliber and/or enery requirements in most African countries for "dangerous game" for a reason. Today we are sport hunting and not market hunting. I am sure you could kill lion with a 22 mag with proper shot placement but NO I would not try it. </p><p> </p><p>On smaller game I totally agree that the "energy dump" with thin jacketed, small, fast moving bullets tends to take deer sized animals much better. Thousands of antelope are cropped on South African game ranches every year with efficient cartridges like the .243 Win. Personal experience shows that my 25 caliber works much better on small course deer than my fast 30 cals. The 30's tend to pass through, they do the job but 25's dump the animal with proper placement. Again, distance is an issue with the 25 vs the 30. </p><p> </p><p>Bigger game absolutely diameter matters and leave a much better margin for error.</p><p> </p><p>Bottom line its all a trade off and as stated it depends on the distance you intend to shoot and of course size of animal.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dig, post: 608938, member: 26939"] Elephants can be different story, and the reason Bell used a small caliber is because of his violent experience with large bores (8 bore black powder) and cost factors as was a market Hunter (hunted for profit). While I am no expert but have killed and seen Elephant killed penetration for a brain shot can work and calibers like the .375 H&H with solids tend to penetrate as well or better than the large doubles say 470 NE. However, the big bores are much better for heart shots and/or shoulders to break them down and of course charges with more margin for error. As LTLR stated there are minimum caliber and/or enery requirements in most African countries for "dangerous game" for a reason. Today we are sport hunting and not market hunting. I am sure you could kill lion with a 22 mag with proper shot placement but NO I would not try it. On smaller game I totally agree that the "energy dump" with thin jacketed, small, fast moving bullets tends to take deer sized animals much better. Thousands of antelope are cropped on South African game ranches every year with efficient cartridges like the .243 Win. Personal experience shows that my 25 caliber works much better on small course deer than my fast 30 cals. The 30's tend to pass through, they do the job but 25's dump the animal with proper placement. Again, distance is an issue with the 25 vs the 30. Bigger game absolutely diameter matters and leave a much better margin for error. Bottom line its all a trade off and as stated it depends on the distance you intend to shoot and of course size of animal. [/QUOTE]
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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Effect of bullet diameter (caliber) on terminal performance.
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