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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Minimum Velocity Clarification
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<blockquote data-quote="MontanaRifleman" data-source="post: 850676" data-attributes="member: 11717"><p>I want to make clear that I am not jumping on anyone and I mean no one any offense. Just trying to be objective and realistic about the facts.</p><p></p><p>OK, so if we look at the KE formula, we see that the "mass" input is reduced by half and the velocity input is squared. This obviously would not be able to predict penetration. So my question is, just how does KE translate to destructive killing power? The KE number rises exponentially with velocity implying that velocity is a much greater factor in destruction than mass. That is simply not accurate. I will agree that higher velocity lighter bullets can cause significant damage but at the same time slower and larger bullet penetrate better.</p><p></p><p>IMO, although momentum is not a perfect indicator of "destructive" force, it is a good indicator of potential "penetrating" force. I say potential because the expansion performance of the bullet will have a great affect on penetration. It takes mass and velocity equally into account.</p><p></p><p>Bottom line is that there are just too many variables and mathematical formulas that don't factor those variables in are not great indicators of potential terminal performance.</p><p></p><p>The popular KE number for killing "elk" is 1500 ftlbs. I will say that there are bullets that in some circumstances that are very capable of killing a bull elk down to 1000 ftlbs of KE. And when hunting cows, most cartridges suitable for deer are also suitable for cow elk.</p><p></p><p>Know your game, know your bullet's external and terminal ballistics and place your shot well.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MontanaRifleman, post: 850676, member: 11717"] I want to make clear that I am not jumping on anyone and I mean no one any offense. Just trying to be objective and realistic about the facts. OK, so if we look at the KE formula, we see that the "mass" input is reduced by half and the velocity input is squared. This obviously would not be able to predict penetration. So my question is, just how does KE translate to destructive killing power? The KE number rises exponentially with velocity implying that velocity is a much greater factor in destruction than mass. That is simply not accurate. I will agree that higher velocity lighter bullets can cause significant damage but at the same time slower and larger bullet penetrate better. IMO, although momentum is not a perfect indicator of "destructive" force, it is a good indicator of potential "penetrating" force. I say potential because the expansion performance of the bullet will have a great affect on penetration. It takes mass and velocity equally into account. Bottom line is that there are just too many variables and mathematical formulas that don't factor those variables in are not great indicators of potential terminal performance. The popular KE number for killing "elk" is 1500 ftlbs. I will say that there are bullets that in some circumstances that are very capable of killing a bull elk down to 1000 ftlbs of KE. And when hunting cows, most cartridges suitable for deer are also suitable for cow elk. Know your game, know your bullet's external and terminal ballistics and place your shot well. [/QUOTE]
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