Magnum overkill. Over bore calibers on medium game

Recently I came across a video here from Federal and the FBI’s ballistics lab and autopsy findings. At 2200fps impacts and above, radiating tissue damage (tearing and cellular wall destruction, damage to blood vessels and nerves for instance far from the impact site) occurs from shock waves traveling through tissue that is permanent. Below that velocity the primary wounding mechanism is bleeding out, introducing atmospheric pressure above the diaphragm negating aspiration, and physically destroying organs and the central nervous system.

Got a link to that video?
 
That’s a different and murkier theory, it does occur but isn’t reliable, and the larger the critter and stiffer the bullet the less likely you’ll see it. What the FBI describes and I tried to relate is there’s tissue damage and tearing from the velocity of shock waves travelling through tissue. When those waves originate from an impact greater than 2200fps, they cause permanent damage and additional wounding. When the impact is below the 2200 cutoff, the tissue distortion doesn’t result in damage beyond the immediate bullet wound site. This is witnessed in the frequently mentioned “eat right up to the whole” aspect of slower rounds, vs the jello of a close range .270 impact. That jello effect is ruptured cells and tissue from the radiating high velocity waves through tissue, and it’s produced reliably at 2200fps and above impacts. Importantly this tissue damage doesn’t necessarily mean bang flops, just more damage, but that of course correlated to more bang flops. Overall, the animal may still run and often does, but has taken a heavier hit from the 300 yard .270 or 75 yard 7x57, than the .45-70 at either of those ranges.

That goes a long way to generally explain the results many relate here. Often several posters are basically advancing the same argument from different perspectives.
 
I regularly take black tails with a 7mm rem mag.
you learn to pick your shots that's for sure.

Very true.
I started deer hunting with a 7mm Rem Mag so you learn real quick that hitting them anywhere but the heart/lungs sweet spot and your going to lose some meat.....:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
I regularly take black tails with a 7mm rem mag.
you learn to pick your shots that's for sure.

Very true. But hit em with an Accubond or Barnes and they run every time on a lung shot. If you use a softer cup and core bullet they die much faster. I think a lot of hunters are erring on the side of too-tough bullets instead of too soft. It's tempting to just have one load for everything from moose to antelope but it's definitely a compromise.
 
Very true. But hit em with an Accubond or Barnes and they run every time on a lung shot. If you use a softer cup and core bullet they die much faster. I think a lot of hunters are erring on the side of too-tough bullets instead of too soft. It's tempting to just have one load for everything from moose to antelope but it's definitely a compromise.

try a barnes in a shoulder and you will see how it goes.
 
I shot my first mulie, a nice little forkie, with my 45-70. For no other reason than I wanted to use that rifle. I also shot everything from Kudu to Springbok on my trip to RSA with a 416 Rigby.

You can pick up groceries in an F350, but you can't haul a lift of drywall with a Civic.
 
I shot my first mulie, a nice little forkie, with my 45-70. For no other reason than I wanted to use that rifle. I also shot everything from Kudu to Springbok on my trip to RSA with a 416 Rigby.

You can pick up groceries in an F350, but you can't haul a lift of drywall with a Civic.

I completely agree with the above but don't underestimate the utility of a Civic Hatchback.
Years ago I was prepping my truck to head out bow hunting the next day and found that it wasn't going to be up for the task so I said screw it and went out with the old Honda Civic hatchback instead as I really wanted to hunt. I managed to arrow my first deer that day, a White-tail doe, dragged it back to the Civic, wrapped it in a tarp and tossed it in the back and headed home! :rolleyes:
 
To date; I haven’t found a system better than using small, light, fast and soft bullets on small, light, soft and fast animals.

Naturally, big, heavy, hard and slow animals should get served bigger, heavier, harder and slower bullets.

It ain’t rocket surgery. ;)
 
To date; I haven’t found a system better than using small, light, fast and soft bullets on small, light, soft and fast animals.

Naturally, big, heavy, hard and slow animals should get served bigger, heavier, harder and slower bullets.

It ain’t rocket surgery. ;)

What do you do use with a three legged Rhino running figure eights after it has taken multple hits of meth? :)
 
What do you do use with a three legged Rhino running figure eights after it has taken multple hits of meth? :)

When they start burning figure eights like that; the trick is to time the shot for the four intervals when the rhino presents a basically stationary shot; 2 incomers and 2 Gettings out of Dodge Shots. (GOOD for short)

After that is taken into consideration the rest falls into place. 40 cal, 400 grain and 2000 fps plus, in a steel jacketed solid or flat nosed mono.
 
Shoot one of its other three legs off, duh. :)

Well sure; if you want to do it the easy way. ;)

It does bring up the question of whether its best to take out a matched set of front or rear legs; or go with both lefts or rights. I favour tbe side to side approach; forcing the rhino to run is in circles. Once the turning radius is established the dispatch shot can administered in relative safety.

Diagonal is right out.
 
It wasn't exactly over bore, but same result. I had a very frustrating 4- 5 hours watching upland birds flushing just out of range. One flushed from under foot and I snapped the shot without thinking. Nothing left but mist.
 
Back
Top Bottom