Which would you choose, based solely on numbers?

[SilverbulletMAG]

No right or wrong answer here, just thought this was an interesting way of picking what to bring for an upcoming whitetail hunt. As a reloader, I over analyze all parts of load development and now that I have several rifles dialed in, it's tough to choose which couple rifles to grab (1st world problems, I know). This will be primarily stand and blind hunting with shots out to 500 yards max.

Numbers represent values at 500 yards. All are sub 3/4 MOA rifles tested beyond the ranges I'll be shooting and all bullets are within their capabilities at those ranges/velocities. Which 2 would you choose based solely on the numbers and why?

Velocity​	Energy​	Come up MOA​
2303​	1837​	8.2​
​	​	​
2193​	1666​	9.1​
​	​	​
1997​	1876​	10.9​
​	​	​
2414​	1643​	6.3​
​	​	​
1964​	1413​	10.2​
​	​	​
1897​	1278​	8.9​
​	​	​
1981​	1525​	10.1​
​	​	​
2109​	1382​	9.4​
​	​	​
2016​	1264​	9.8​
​	​	​
2244​	1598​	9.4​

 

[PBramble]

#4 first and #1 second. Purely on the least amount of drop. Less to go wrong in my eyes.

 

[jbquack1]

8 and 10, appear to be having similar performance, not much to get used to.

 

[HARPERC]

I would choose based on rifle characteristics, and optic most suitable for that style hunt.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I'm struggling to fully comprehend what I'm seeing, but this is how I choose:
1) drop.....flattest shooting is best
2) expansion.....most bullet makers list what velocity their bullets expand at. Usually 1800fps is a minimum, but you have to look it up. I like some cushion to the minimum, so I will usually say minimum +200 fps.
3) energy.....at range, how much is left to put in the animal....I really haven't set a minimum, but more is better, under 500 is too little.
4) recoil.....if I can hit the above 3 with a load and accuracy, why add more recoil!

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

I would choose based on rifle characteristics, and optic most suitable for that style hunt.

Coming live from the deer blind...lol All have same scope for the most part (good quality glass 3-15)

 

[lancetkenyon]

Velocity amd energy alone don't tell the tale.
Usually, USUALLY....
Higher velocity/lower energy indicate a lighter, fast, high BC bullet.
Lower velocity/higher energy indicate a big, heavy bullet started slower. Like #3.
Higher velocity/high energy, best of both. Heavier for caliber bullet, high BC, higher starting MV. Better for LR, depending on bullet design.

You could post a .408 Cheytec up with a 550gr MTAC solid pointed that would put up huge numbers in both velocity and energy, but I still wouldn't use it on a deer. Same with a .22-250 pushing a 40gr V-Max. It is energy transference to the animal that makes it lethal. I would take a 6PPC w. 105 Hybrid over that.

Whitetail usually don't require a cannon. Any of those will do the trick. But dead is dead.

Now, if you posted bullet diameter, bullet weight, and bullet design into your supplied data, that would really help.

 

[26Reload]

Yeah...my modest 65284 at 500 still out performs those stats with 142lrab....nothing looks good too me...

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

Didn't initially post caliber and bullet because that skews a lot of folks decisions. No right or wrong though, and of course, dead is dead.
For those curious, these are the rifle/bullet/reload muzzle velocities:

1. 6.5 PRC shooting 156 Berger at 2945 fps
2. Same rifle and bullet, but at only 2820 muzzle velocity (shoots a clover leaf at 200 yards at the slower speed vs. half MOA at faster speed)
3. 30-06 with 212 ELDX at 2620 fps
4. 6.5-300 with 127 LRX at 3440 fps
5. 308 with 165 at 2775
6. 338 Win Mag with 160 Barnes TTSX at 3175 fps (B.C. on this bullet is like a brick!)
7. 30-06 with 175 Berger at 2800
8. Creed with 140 Berger at 2800
9. Creed with 140 SST at 2825
10. Creed with 143 ELDX at 2800 fps

I ended up bringing the PRC, (used yesterday, performed perfect at 230yds) the 338, and 30-06/ELDX (curious about bullet performance more then anything, otherwise "overkill"). Carrying the 338/160 TTSX today actually. The Creed will get "first blood" when my daughter joins me for her first hunt next year.

 

[bigngreen]

I don't choose on drop values, I go for impact velocity and wind drift, couldn't care less how flat something shoots!?

 

[DJ Fergus]

No right or wrong answer here, just thought this was an interesting way of picking what to bring for an upcoming whitetail hunt. As a reloader, I over analyze all parts of load development and now that I have several rifles dialed in, it's tough to choose which couple rifles to grab (1st world problems, I know). This will be primarily stand and blind hunting with shots out to 500 yards max.

Numbers represent values at 500 yards. All are sub 3/4 MOA rifles tested beyond the ranges I'll be shooting and all bullets are within their capabilities at those ranges/velocities. Which 2 would you choose based solely on the numbers and why?

Velocity​	Energy​	Come up MOA​
2303​	1837​	8.2​
​	​	​
2193​	1666​	9.1​
​	​	​
1997​	1876​	10.9​
​	​	​
2414​	1643​	6.3​
​	​	​
1964​	1413​	10.2​
​	​	​
1897​	1278​	8.9​
​	​	​
1981​	1525​	10.1​
​	​	​
2109​	1382​	9.4​
​	​	​
2016​	1264​	9.8​
​	​	​
2244​	1598​	9.4​

It's hard to say because I don't know if these are examples of the same caliber or different calibers. If it's all the same caliber I would pick #1 & #3. That's not necessarily base on drop but retained down range energy & the assumption that it's the same caliber but different bullets. I'm guessing those two would yield less wind drift but it's hard to say for sure without knowing exactly what bullets they are.

 

[dogz]

Sorry to be a killjoy, but that's just not my style way too much micro mgt of balltic gack!

For me, mucho more important things to consider than all this

Sorry but I'm no fun....grins