Effective Game Killing

[FEENIX]

I know this can be controversial, esp. to the naysayers, because some do not believe in (kinetic) energy transfer and shock, but that's OK. These articles are for open-minded folks willing and able to learn and add to their knowledge base. IMHO, Nathan Foster of https://www.ballisticstudies.com/ effectively captured the interrelationships of:

- How bullets kill
- Mechanism > kinetic energy transfer (Newton's Law of Physics)
- Fast killing
- Hydrostatic/hydraulic shock
- Wound factors
- Bullet weight, diameter, construction
- Shot placement

Part 1, https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en...ted-hunting/ammunition/effective-game-killing

Part 2, https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en...ting/ammunition/effective-game-killing-part-2

 

[Deputy819]

This is excellent! Sometimes we just gotta go back to "the basics", ya know?

 

[FEENIX]

This is excellent! Sometimes we just gotta go back to "the basics", ya know?

Yes, Sir! Hopefully, the conversation that this thread generates will stay civil.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Excellent article.

The only point I will make is that in his section about mechanical action, he uses velocity (and puts KE in parenthesis as velocity is a main component of KE) as the component that is the important factor on how a bullet performs in game (determining wound factors). I too have reverted to using velocity, rather than KE, as the data point used to determine a bullets potential at a certain distance when I am putting together loads and why I have, and will continue, to say that in a lot of cases, as long as you have the velocity, the KE number is not that important. Again (degreed engineer here) I completely understand that the two are inexorably linked, but for what the majority of us are trying to do, sticking with figuring out impact velocity will give us the information needed to make good decisions when choosing bullets and loads.

His conculsions about using heavy-for-caliber bullets also put into words what a lot of people are finding out in the field as those types of bullets become more popular in the hunting community.

 

[Ol' Red]

Very good read. I only had time to read part one while having my coffee. I will read the second part tonight, Thanks for posting.