WiscGunner
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2016
- Messages
- 318
Obviously larger bullet diameter is a beneficial factor all things being equal and that is what this (long) thread has been about. However, ethical killing at varying distances is not keyboard physics and is very complex. The variables the shooter can control such as Velocity, Sectional Density, Diameter, Bullet Constructions, Energy and Velocity all give and take from one another and in my opinion need to be tailored for the best COMPROMISE.
Velocity is very important. Too little and the bullet won't expand. Too much and the bullet can explode mid-flight let alone on contact and not penetrate.
Sectional Density is important for penetration. Too much emphasis on penetration may give up too much on tissue damage.
Bullet construction is extremely important. I do not believe there exists a 1 bullet for all applications so it is important to use a bullet for the range and velocity applicable. I personally think it is important to have a short range high velocity bullet and a long range low velocity bullet for cover all bases.
Ballistic Coefficient is very important for retaining velocity and energy at further distances but at the sacrifice of bullet performance and tissue damage.
Larger diameter bullets impart a higher percentage of their energy better than smaller bullets if all other things are equal - no questions at all about this. This is clear when comparing a 6.5 flat faced cylinder to a 7.62mm flat faced cylindrical projectile in a vacuum. A 7.62 is roughly 17.5% larger diameter than a 6.5mm and has roughly 36% more surface area. This is WILL hit harder and transfer more energy at the same velocity. The question really is, since things are not equal, how unequal do these parameters need to be to be equal in performance?
Removed the vacuum and the 7.62 will have a lower BC for the same weight so its effective range will be shorter. Point the cylinders for higher BC and the energy transfer lowers. Add expanding nose technology and the energy transfer goes up. Etc, etc, etc.
Pick any 2 bullets of the same design and construction with the same BC and the larger diameter will be more destructive. NO debate.
BUT... how fast do we need the 6mm to go to equal the 7mm? How fast does the 7mm need to go to equal the 30 cal to off set the advantage of bullet diameter? How much SD is enough? How much energy for species is enough for different bullet diameters? These are very hard questions to answer without advanced degrees in physics and only relate to the projectile. Other factors include the high/low blood pressure of the animal and it's individual fight/flight toughness that just are not predictable.
For the rest of us non-rocket scientists it is perhaps a good idea to use as much gun as you can shoot well while attempting to pick the best compromise between recoil, energy, appropriate minimum velocity for maximum expansion, appropriate max velocity to avoid bullet separation, high enough SD to exit in the worst case scenario, and the best BC in a bullet type to make sure the bullet reaches the target properly. Then hunt within the capabilities of the rifle system and shooter's skills. I think most of us already know this, so the debate is purely for our entertainment, but for those new to longer ranges this all may be very foreign and information might be helpful.
Newer shooters should look for the best performing bullet in a given caliber as the same design may not perform well across all calibers. Choose a cartridge that will provide as much energy and velocity as recommended at your max distance. And then practice, practice, practice! As so many have said, shot placement is THE MOST IMPORTANT factor, yet shooting practice is the factor least invested in by most hunters.
Velocity is very important. Too little and the bullet won't expand. Too much and the bullet can explode mid-flight let alone on contact and not penetrate.
Sectional Density is important for penetration. Too much emphasis on penetration may give up too much on tissue damage.
Bullet construction is extremely important. I do not believe there exists a 1 bullet for all applications so it is important to use a bullet for the range and velocity applicable. I personally think it is important to have a short range high velocity bullet and a long range low velocity bullet for cover all bases.
Ballistic Coefficient is very important for retaining velocity and energy at further distances but at the sacrifice of bullet performance and tissue damage.
Larger diameter bullets impart a higher percentage of their energy better than smaller bullets if all other things are equal - no questions at all about this. This is clear when comparing a 6.5 flat faced cylinder to a 7.62mm flat faced cylindrical projectile in a vacuum. A 7.62 is roughly 17.5% larger diameter than a 6.5mm and has roughly 36% more surface area. This is WILL hit harder and transfer more energy at the same velocity. The question really is, since things are not equal, how unequal do these parameters need to be to be equal in performance?
Removed the vacuum and the 7.62 will have a lower BC for the same weight so its effective range will be shorter. Point the cylinders for higher BC and the energy transfer lowers. Add expanding nose technology and the energy transfer goes up. Etc, etc, etc.
Pick any 2 bullets of the same design and construction with the same BC and the larger diameter will be more destructive. NO debate.
BUT... how fast do we need the 6mm to go to equal the 7mm? How fast does the 7mm need to go to equal the 30 cal to off set the advantage of bullet diameter? How much SD is enough? How much energy for species is enough for different bullet diameters? These are very hard questions to answer without advanced degrees in physics and only relate to the projectile. Other factors include the high/low blood pressure of the animal and it's individual fight/flight toughness that just are not predictable.
For the rest of us non-rocket scientists it is perhaps a good idea to use as much gun as you can shoot well while attempting to pick the best compromise between recoil, energy, appropriate minimum velocity for maximum expansion, appropriate max velocity to avoid bullet separation, high enough SD to exit in the worst case scenario, and the best BC in a bullet type to make sure the bullet reaches the target properly. Then hunt within the capabilities of the rifle system and shooter's skills. I think most of us already know this, so the debate is purely for our entertainment, but for those new to longer ranges this all may be very foreign and information might be helpful.
Newer shooters should look for the best performing bullet in a given caliber as the same design may not perform well across all calibers. Choose a cartridge that will provide as much energy and velocity as recommended at your max distance. And then practice, practice, practice! As so many have said, shot placement is THE MOST IMPORTANT factor, yet shooting practice is the factor least invested in by most hunters.
