My gun of choice is a 1940 Mosin-Nagant and I have done a lot of research when it comes to bullets, energy, velocity and so on and I am truly stumped and I am looking for an answer. Why do people use a 200 grain bullet. When compared to a 150 grain bullet the 200 grain bullet has less energy, is slower, uses an arcing tragectory and drops like a rock once it passes sighted zero. The 200 grain bullet is inferior in every single way. I also studied terminal ballistics and its the same deal. I checked other calibers and its the same deal for the 30-06 and 308. I also looked at the 270 and it clearly kills with velocity, not bullet weight. I did check bullet type and there is a huge difference there. FMJ is useless and Noslers are killer but what gives with the 200 grain bullet?
Ammunition
- Thread starter Boulevard
- Start date
- Location
- Golden Lake
Have you ever heard of Elmer Keith or John (Pondoro) Taylor?
Those two old time firearms experts (and others) didn't believe in the "foot pounds" calculations - which make most of velocity. They believed in big, heavy-bullets-for-calibre and their momentum. They wanted deep penetration and were not thrilled with high velocities.
I think they might have thought somewhat differently if they had seen modern-type bullets though.
I tend to agree with you. I prefer (for deer anyway) 120 gr bullets in my 6.5x55 over 140's or 160's.
Those two old time firearms experts (and others) didn't believe in the "foot pounds" calculations - which make most of velocity. They believed in big, heavy-bullets-for-calibre and their momentum. They wanted deep penetration and were not thrilled with high velocities.
I think they might have thought somewhat differently if they had seen modern-type bullets though.
I tend to agree with you. I prefer (for deer anyway) 120 gr bullets in my 6.5x55 over 140's or 160's.
Heavy bullets may be more accurate ,drift less in the wind, penetrate deeper and have more whacking power when they arrive at a distant target. If you compare 150 and 180 .311" sierra spitzers with MV's of 2200 and 2000 fps the lighter bullet is obviously faster at the muzzle but at 300 yards the speed advantage is reduced by1/2 to about 100 fps.
At some point the heavier bullet will be going faster than the lighter one.
At some point the heavier bullet will be going faster than the lighter one.
powdermaker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I guess the short answer is "it Depends". It depends on your type of hunting you do. Hunting elk, in the early season, in Saskatchewan, you want a heavy bullet that leaves a exit wound. The first elk I shot was a big cow at 150 yrds. with a 140 gr. ballistic tip in a .270 .The broadside shot didn't even go through both lungs. 15 elk later, and I won't use any bullet but barnes or nosler partitions. 180 gr. would be a minimum bullet weight.
If your hunting deer then 150 gr. partitions would be a good choice.
If your hunting deer then 150 gr. partitions would be a good choice.
