how to determine game use of a cartridge??

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xcaribooer

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Can someone explain how a company like Federal actually comes up with the "use" for each load they have. I'm looking at the list of choices they have for 30-06 for example and there are only 3 they show are good for larger game like elk/moose. There are other 180gr loads for the 06 on their list that show a deer in the "use" column
and why nothing for the 270win that meets their theoretical requirements for a elk/moose load? Im pretty sure a 270win 150gr NP will kill a moose dead with little trouble..
is it something like a ratio of bullet weight and velocity? I would like to understand the formula, can someone explain please
 
I believe it's based on the HITS system
Other than that I think it's common sense. Dont use a varmint bullet for big game. But on the hand my lawnmower has 2 warnings about putting hands under the deck while it's running
 
This is the formula they use:


$$$=$$$*$$$/$$$($$$+$$$*$$$)




The same formula is used by the manufacturers of golf balls, fishing rods, car parts, and power tools.

"Oh! You wanna do THAT with it? Well then, you my friend need THIS!"
 
I guess there are newbies that don't understand that some bullets are not intended for big game; and that some bullets are not best on varmints.

Bullet weight and jacket thickness and bullet design determine suitability.
 
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6.5 can certainly kill bison but I don't think it meets the legal definition for weight and energy. Ironically a lot of the old buffalo cartridges don't meet the energy requirements either from what I've been told and read. There maybe exceptions of which I don't know of
 
There will be math involved and we all know Canadians can't do science nor math. Something about the numbers.
 
this is the reply I got from federal after emailing them the original question-

"They are just a guide line and suggestion to help choose ammo, we know most bullets will work with properly placed shots.
Thanks
Federal "

doesn't sound like there is a lot of science involved..
 
Despite many of the flippant comments, there probably is a lot of science and test fired bullets involved in their recommendations. The same bullet weight, say a .30 calibre 180 grain spire point, could be constructed differently for use in a .308 Winchester, a .30-06 or a .300 Winchester Magnum. Superficially they may appear to be the same, but their actual construction, including jacket thickness, taper and hardness of the lead could be different.
The recommendations from the factory are just that, and actual use and results will always depend on the end user, and how they hunt, and what kind of bullet performance they want. But everything that I have read indicates that the factories do shoot their bullets a lot in the design stage, using various kinds of medium to gauge how they expand, retain weight and other factors.
You can go ahead and use a .243 87 grain for moose, if that works, but a that is not the normal calibre and bullet weight recommendation.
Use it as a guide, but you will have to decide on your own and input from hunting partners as to what would work.
 
any given bullet has a optimum speed where it will perform well in the manufactures eyes.. i like cast lead and have my own personal opinions...but bullet manufacturers have this bullet at this speed does this.. i like penetration.. no pun intended
 
I think you should ask on the CGN Hunting and Sporting Arms forum and say "Hey, I have a 30-06 and XYZ ammo and want to hunt moose. Is this a good choice?"
 
Different bullets are designed with different velocities, different kinetic energy ( hitting power), and different penetration.

Some bullets that work well at lower speeds , blow apart at high speeds, and vice-versa.

Big animals you want to get some penetration or it just make a surface wound. Thin skinned animals want bullets that expand with less penetration or they go thru & thru. Varmints and small animals you want a fragmenting bullet or you have a fur with a hole so big you can put your arm in it.


OP, you have a loaded question and really need to do some reading.
 
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