In defense of bigger cartridges and ice skates

[DENWA]

Saturday night in a freak accident my son's ice skate cut me deep.
Missed by artery, but would have bleed out if it weren't for some good people at Ice rink and EMT's/nurses to save me. (I've refused all pain meds even when they are working on me so I'm in a ton of pain and my writing isn't very clear.)

In light of all the bashing of anything not new and shiny I decided to look into some things:

1. Speed kills?-->Why not shoot a laser pointer at speed of light or throw a dead cat?
Because energy kills.
Energy, shot placement,bullet construction etc. "being equal", BIG wounds kill. --Like my son's ice skate!
Same reason Archery has Minimum diameter of cutting blades.


2. All things "being equal" is bigger better?
I chose 26 Nosler vs. 375 Ruger similar case size and I own neither but may in the future.
Went to Nolser load data page:
26 Nosler chose 140gr .658 (Highest)BC @3251 (highest) velocity shown in 26" barrel
375 Ruger chose 300gr .485 (Highest)BC @2715 (highest) velocity shown in 26" barrel
*** you can choose other bullet combos but get similar results***

Undoubtedly the 26 is flatter.-- Soup to nuts, no argument.
The 26 will buck the wind MUCH better increasing odds of a good shot but we are talking about
"all things equal"

Energy
@200 yds 375 Ruger = 26 Nosler at the muzzle
@500yds they are roughly equal
@500-1500yds 26 Nosler is better by ~100-200Ft-lbs!
@1500-2000s they are about equal 375 Ruger slightly pulling away past 1800yds--Why did I write this?
All things being "equal" again, we are back into handgun energy range, i just thought it was cool that at 2000yds a 375 rifle will beat 115gr 9mm at the muzzle.

In the example above the 26 and 375 have same energy @500yds yet no one will argue that on large, dangerous game in AFRICA they will take the 375 every single day.

Same being said about shots at 1000yds the 26 Nosler is the highest % chance of a good hit.


I don't expect to change anyone's minds in the 300WM vs. 26 Nosler debate but if you can't tell I hate the "all things being equal" argument.

They just aren't equal no matter how hard you try.
Life isn't fair and each tool has a purpose.

 

[Rogue]

Not sure I understand your point but glad you survived the ice skate.

I enjoy all the online debates. Everyone has there opinion and believes they know best. I've learned a lot from this forum and others. That said, I love the 300WM!!!!!!!!!

 

[DENWA]

I haven't survived yet. Infection is started and I'm running a fever.
Heading to the doctor later.

But

Where terminal ballistics are concerned 99.97% of shots taken on game around the world would favor the larger 375 bullet.

I love my 300 Win Mag too just for the record, in case I kick the bucket!

 

[Dpmj]

Hey Denwa I sure hope you a speedy recovery. Sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident. Thank you for the post.

 

[Quicksilver338]

I get what you're saying! A lot of people go to paper facts and get caught up what a number is at certain point in the ballistics chart, I've gotten caught up in that myself. Fact if the matter is some bullets and calibers flat out kill better than others. Now you must find the best balance of the two for your intended purpose to make the best ethical shot as a hunter, but real life situations happen and I'd prefer a little insurance when the shot goes slightly off mark.

Example of argument is my 300gr Berger OTM from my 338 Lapua leaving a softball size exit hole on a 300lb black bear's rib cage at 500yds. A 28 nosler isn't going to do that! Sure a smaller caliber would have killed it no problem but the point is that thing was absolutely wrecked and no chance in running off somewhere. It ran 20-30yds and flopped near the same spot I shot it. Certain calibers call for different scenarios but if shooting at longer and ELR ranges I'd rather have an insurance policy.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Speedy recovery to you and more thought provoking posts.

 

[Rogue]

I kicked a bucket once an broke two toes. Please avoid doing that!!!

The truth be told, man was killing large game animals long before gunpowder was created. I wonder how many elk have been killed with a sharp stick??

You must be proficient with the tool of your choosing!

For the record, I like gun powder!!!!

 

[ShtrRdy]

What part of you body was cut?

When I was much, much, younger a few friends and I would play hockey on a local frozen pond. We didn't have any protective equipment and it wasn't organized in any way. Anyway, one time we were playing on ice that had some rather large cracks in it. I managed to trip and while I was falling stuck my right skate into my left foot. It wasn't deep enough to hold that position but it was enough to bleed.

 

[DENWA]

Upper Inner thigh. Read between the lines.
Its SUPER swollen and 50 shades of purple down there.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Ruger will be more authoritative due to the larger surface area. Kinda like the difference in getting hit by a base ball vs medicine ball.

Faster rounds certainly produce more hydrostatic shock case and point varmint rounds.

I like to think of the hydrostatic shock like the wake a boat produces. Now if they both impact at the same velocity the bigger bullet should cause more shock and more damage.

 

[the hunter]

Upper Inner thigh. Read between the lines.
Its SUPER swollen and 50 shades of purple down there.

That was close. Hope you git well soon.

 

[DENWA]

That was close. Hope you git well soon.

thanks.

Just got home from the ER. Hope you all are in for a good 2019.

 

[fmajor]

I hope all went well for you at the ER - on the road to healing is a good way to begin 2019!!!

 

[Bravo 4]

Upper Inner thigh. Read between the lines.
Its SUPER swollen and 50 shades of purple down there.

Had a buddy get shot through his upper inner thigh (complete pass through, out a cheek). Close enough to his junk that the bullet entered underwear & gave him a scare , and close enough to his femoral to scare us all!
Brother, you'll be in my prayers.