1500 for mule deer???? I wanna hunt with YOU sir! Our mulies aren't nearly so tough! I do appreciate personal standards, I've had too many experiences where someone in my group had to finish what someone else started. I used to do the k.e. numbers, then started doing ballistic tests, comparing wound channels, etc, and energy turns out to play such a small part that I've focused mainly on bullet construction and impact velocity. Bullet construction chosen for shot placement is major as well, if we're shoulder breaking, we don't load the sst, if we plan on having calm animals the shoulder busting may not be necessary. Took 1 pronghorn with the 95nbt, had planned on behind the shoulder, herd was closer than expected, audibled to a neck shot, couple months later had the .22-250 with scirocco 2s loaded, the herd was a lil spookier, somewhat on the move, @<100 yds, planted her with 2 broken shoulders. I'm not doubting that your k.e. requirements work for you at all, the k.e. system is simply antiquated as it was formulated in an era where the technology of the time did not afford us the options we have today.
