Big and slow VS Small and fast = Knockdown Power

I saw a quote somewhere, maybe here on CGN, that said: Velocity drops off, Mass doesnt.
Agreed....I support a similar quote that says once you hit 2700fps ...if you want more power - add bullet weight not velocity.
 
Hmmm. I don't like it...


While a dowel absolutely does a better job of simulating a branch, it does a terrible job of allowing an even comparison between tests. The infinite angles of the dowel's radius makes it all but impossible to replicate the same amount of deflection twice. If you hit a 1 inch wooden dowel an 1/8 inch right of center, the deflection angle would be 45 degrees. Another 1/4 of an inch to the right and the deflection is 135 degrees. That's a change of 1 degree of deflection for every 2.1 thousands of an inch you miss the aiming point by. I can assure you that I'M not good enough to do that test.

The angled flat board, while nothing like a twig, would at least provide even, repeatable deflection to each and every shot.

And the results with plywood would have some value , if you shot through plywood to shoot game.:p
 
I own a Christmas tree farm and my dead looking trees would totally disagree that a 45/70 deflects off them lol. I can follow the path 8 or more trees deep even if it hits the trunk it will normally go through a few before veering off.

I'm a less than 200yard Hunter and I will choose my 45/70 every time unless small game hunting and that is only for cost savings lol.
 
Yup, velocity drops, mass won't change unless you shoot into space and it burn up during re-entry.

The basic physic explanation.

Muzzle energy is the kinetic energy of a bullet as it is expelled from the muzzle of a firearm. It is often used as a rough indication of the destructive potential of a given firearm or load. The heavier the bullet and especially the faster it moves, the higher its muzzle energy and the more damage it will do.

The general formula for the kinetic energy is

E_k = 1/2 mv[sup]2[/sup]
where

v is the velocity of the bullet
m is the mass of the bullet.
I saw a quote somewhere, maybe here on CGN, that said: Velocity drops off, Mass doesnt.
 
Here is a curious question I have. Shooting my 223 last weekend at the range. Was checking the zero on my Aimpoint after having removed it and reinstalling it. I had some American Eagle 55gr FMJ and Hornady 55gr HP. Both boxes indicated identical MV. I sighted in for use with the Hornady 55gr HP as they are my primary go to round when I am out looking for critters. The American Eagle FMJ's are just a toy around load for plinking with at the range now and again. What I notice each time I shoot both at the range is that the FMJ's seem to kick up alot more earth from the berm behind the target board upon impact than the HP's? I have also noticed this when experimenting with them in a pasture on gophers seeing the size of the dust cloud coming from the gopher's earth mound. Would this be due to the design of the FMJ bullet penetrating the ground deeper? I would have thought personally the energy transferrance from a bullet like the HP exploding upon inpact would have been greater than the more stoutly built FMJ?
 
Here is a curious question I have. Shooting my 223 last weekend at the range. Was checking the zero on my Aimpoint after having removed it and reinstalling it. I had some American Eagle 55gr FMJ and Hornady 55gr HP. Both boxes indicated identical MV. I sighted in for use with the Hornady 55gr HP as they are my primary go to round when I am out looking for critters. The American Eagle FMJ's are just a toy around load for plinking with at the range now and again. What I notice each time I shoot both at the range is that the FMJ's seem to kick up alot more earth from the berm behind the target board upon impact than the HP's? I have also noticed this when experimenting with them in a pasture on gophers seeing the size of the dust cloud coming from the gopher's earth mound. Would this be due to the design of the FMJ bullet penetrating the ground deeper? I would have thought personally the energy transferrance from a bullet like the HP exploding upon inpact would have been greater than the more stoutly built FMJ?

I'm guessing that they start tumbling when they hit and kick up some dirt.
 
Hmmm. I don't like it...


While a dowel absolutely does a better job of simulating a branch, it does a terrible job of allowing an even comparison between tests. The infinite angles of the dowel's radius makes it all but impossible to replicate the same amount of deflection twice. If you hit a 1 inch wooden dowel an 1/8 inch right of center, the deflection angle would be 45 degrees. Another 1/4 of an inch to the right and the deflection is 135 degrees. That's a change of 1 degree of deflection for every 2.1 thousands of an inch you miss the aiming point by. I can assure you that I'M not good enough to do that test.

The angled flat board, while nothing like a twig, would at least provide even, repeatable deflection to each and every shot.

Here's a version you can look at: http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-40-deflected-bullets-and-the-box-o-truth/
 

Yeah I'd seen that one... Still don't like it though. I mean, I agree with it to the point that it's results match what I'd expect, but one shot of each does not a scientific experiment make. Add to that, that each shot's placement when hitting the dowels was random, and the experiment becomes even more unreliable.

I think a dowel trial could work, but you'd have to fire off a half a box of each ammo and take the average deflection of each to get a truer comparison between each type of ammo.
 
I know the 45-70 and the 9.3x62 will go through small brush and kill . I also have shot trees w/12" diameter just to see the ones behind it also penetrated . Search " Taylor knock down formula " he explains why the 9.3 is minimum for African game and his theories on big caliber killing power
 
Use small, light, fast and soft bullets on small, light, fast and soft animals.

Use big, heavy, slow and hard bullets on big, heavy, slow and hard animals.

mostly true but there is so many variables, I have watched .243 and 7mm drill tiny holes in deer and watched them take off, also watched a 30/30 drop one on the spot .
 
My solution to the whole issue is my 378 Wby big and ultra fast...........The best of all worlds.

I personally think the OPs stated comparison is ludicrous, these two cartridges were never designed to be used under the same conditions nor on the same game. It is even an exaggeration of the O'Connor/Keith conflict and not a realistic arena for either cartridge. Personally, I would hunt in any terrain conditions and any game short of heavy, dangerous game with either a 300 magnum or a 340 Wby and never, ever feel I needed a different cartridge. Were I foot hunting coastal grizzly in the coastal rainforest I would most likely be using my 470 NE, and nothing smaller than a 340 would even be considered. Boat hunting I would likely take my 378 Wby and the 470 NE in case of a needed follow up in the super thick sh!t. It is not so much a which is better argument, as much as it is which is more appropriate for what game and what terrain.
 
mostly true but there is so many variables, I have watched .243 and 7mm drill tiny holes in deer and watched them take off, also watched a 30/30 drop one on the spot .

I would be almost willing to bet that the 7mm shooter and the 243 shooter were using TTSX bullets............because I have flattened many deer with both cartridges, but have seen this happen a couple times with TTSX bullets.
 
I have at some point used, loved, hunted and killed with .308 Chester, .257 Bee, .45-70 Government, 5.7 iForce, 12 Guage buck and slug, .22 Long, .17 whatevertheyares, .300 WSM, .270 WSM, .338 Lapua and my current baby that I like more than them all is a 6.5-284. Every animal has been dead. I'll say the fast ones, especially the 85grn .257's killed quicker by my reckoning, like getting hit my lightning. But the point is they all killed. And did it well. The family eats, I maybe get a rack to mount.

What I've actually realized is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!! Is that my current Savage Light Weight Hunter is infinitely more fun to carry. So until something lighter comes out.... My suggestion is that's how you pick a rifle....
 
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