As we all know, there is very little in the way of standards for hunting cartridges when compared the self defense penetration test referencing the FBI publishing. We have all at one time or another asked/answered/seen questions about the effectiveness of bullet x or cartridge .yyy for deer, elk, bear, hog, etc. I have decided that I would like to do my best to create some form of standard. I do not anticipate this to be a quick or simple process, and am asking assistance from my fellow highroad comrades.
First, I do not anticipate the ability to be able to test ALL calibers immediately, so I will focus on the popular calibers to start. Calibers, not cartridges. This means tests with 9.3 or .50 centerfires among others won't be the first up. With handloading, and careful selection of cartridges, I'll be able to replicate most muzzle velocities regardless of any .260 vs 6.5 cm debates.
Second, I plan on testing both lead and non lead bullets alike. I already have a few of each for several calibers handy, but expansion may be slow.
Third, and this is where I'll need help, I need reference points. I want to focus mainly on north American game first, after I feel I have addressed this area of interest adequately, I may also consider the African offerings as well. As awesome as it would be, I am unable to hunt every species with every caliber available in any kind of timely manner. I am planning on starting with common rifle cartridges as that's where I see the most assistance requested, later I would be happy to test handgun calibers as well, but one thing at a time. I am asking that the other hunters here who would like to participate post results they've had and include what animal, what bones were impacted, inches of penetration, weight of recovered bullet, specific bullet, caliber, and impact velocity. Pictures of course are welcomed but not required.
Once I have enough reference points, I can begin attempts to recreate results with simulations with sim-test. My process will be trial and error until I can recreate results as close to exact as what I'm referencing. For example, if 10 people have .30 kills with an impact velocity of 2750 fps with a cup and core 150 gr bullet that broke one shoulder and penetrated 14" before stopping to be recovered with a retained weight of 95 gr on a whitetail deer, and the sim test gets me the same retained weight with the same impact velocity with 27" of penetration, then I will use that for my whitetail standard to testify that even with a broken shoulder bone, the cup and core 150 can penetrate adequately out to x amount of yards. Bullets with similar sectional densities can thus be tested in the same 30" of sim test, at various velocities, to assist with questions about whether the .243 should be expected to cleanly take whitetail out to xxxyds. I hope for this to also be useful for the challenges of people using monometals for the first time. I do NOT encourage anyone to take questionable or unethical shots in pursuit of assisting with this study, so please don't risk wounding some poor creature just to prove how far a bullet can penetrate at so many yds etc.
If you don't wish to participate, that's fine. If you do, that's great. I know plenty of manufacturers have recommendations for their products and the game pursued, but I hope to fill in the gaps.
First, I do not anticipate the ability to be able to test ALL calibers immediately, so I will focus on the popular calibers to start. Calibers, not cartridges. This means tests with 9.3 or .50 centerfires among others won't be the first up. With handloading, and careful selection of cartridges, I'll be able to replicate most muzzle velocities regardless of any .260 vs 6.5 cm debates.
Second, I plan on testing both lead and non lead bullets alike. I already have a few of each for several calibers handy, but expansion may be slow.
Third, and this is where I'll need help, I need reference points. I want to focus mainly on north American game first, after I feel I have addressed this area of interest adequately, I may also consider the African offerings as well. As awesome as it would be, I am unable to hunt every species with every caliber available in any kind of timely manner. I am planning on starting with common rifle cartridges as that's where I see the most assistance requested, later I would be happy to test handgun calibers as well, but one thing at a time. I am asking that the other hunters here who would like to participate post results they've had and include what animal, what bones were impacted, inches of penetration, weight of recovered bullet, specific bullet, caliber, and impact velocity. Pictures of course are welcomed but not required.
Once I have enough reference points, I can begin attempts to recreate results with simulations with sim-test. My process will be trial and error until I can recreate results as close to exact as what I'm referencing. For example, if 10 people have .30 kills with an impact velocity of 2750 fps with a cup and core 150 gr bullet that broke one shoulder and penetrated 14" before stopping to be recovered with a retained weight of 95 gr on a whitetail deer, and the sim test gets me the same retained weight with the same impact velocity with 27" of penetration, then I will use that for my whitetail standard to testify that even with a broken shoulder bone, the cup and core 150 can penetrate adequately out to x amount of yards. Bullets with similar sectional densities can thus be tested in the same 30" of sim test, at various velocities, to assist with questions about whether the .243 should be expected to cleanly take whitetail out to xxxyds. I hope for this to also be useful for the challenges of people using monometals for the first time. I do NOT encourage anyone to take questionable or unethical shots in pursuit of assisting with this study, so please don't risk wounding some poor creature just to prove how far a bullet can penetrate at so many yds etc.
If you don't wish to participate, that's fine. If you do, that's great. I know plenty of manufacturers have recommendations for their products and the game pursued, but I hope to fill in the gaps.
.
