Whitetail: bullet size vs. velocity

[Richard.Howe]

Hello again, I'm back with another reloading question to which I can't seem to find an answer on these boards. My question relates to my .300 Win Mag, but it could just as easily apply to other ballpark calibers.

For the purpose of taking Southern Whitetail deer, what is the minimum relationship between bullet mass and velocity? What I'm looking for is either a chart or description that correlates the least velocity required to take this game for a particular weight bullet.

For example, "you should use these speeds (or higher) for the following projectiles:
110 gr. --> 3200 fps
150 gr. --> 2900 fps"
etc...

Asked another way, what is the *lower limit* of velocity for a range of bullet weights? This is in the realm of a manufacturer-specific question (i.e. a Gameking may need less speed to function than an XBT), but surely there is a consensus out there among users...

Also, what is the minimum bullet weight you would use to safely take whitetail?

Thanks again,
Rich H.

 

[Surely]

That depends totally on the bullet you are using. You need enough velocity for it to expand and the slower the bullet is traveling the faster it will drop, which makes hitting your target in a vital area harder. With any hunting bullet over say 100 grains, 1000 fps is plenty of speed for a lethal kill but the amount of damage it does is dependant on that bullets ability to expand. It would be nice if bullet manufacturers included this data with the bullets when you buy them, at least some general numbers. I would guess, but im not sure, that a ballistic tip would expand more reliably at lower velocity than something like a soft tip or hollow point because of the action of the tip pushing the copper jacket out and hitting the lead. Again this is just an assumption, I have not done any testing to confirm my theory.

 

[dakotasin]

hunting deer w/ magnums can sometimes be tough. the availability of light weight bullets makes it tougher. generally, the lightest bullets will be designed to come apart on impact (varminter bullets)...

in my own magnums, here are my requirements for 'non-premium' bullets, such as hornady interlocks or sierra gamekings: keep velocity below 3250 f/s. if velocity exceeds 3250 f/s, you are asking for trouble on shorter shots. if you find that you are easily exceeding 3250, then step up to a heavier bullet, and take advantage of the better ballistics, and tougher bullets.

in a 300 win mag, my minimum weight would be 165 grain bullets. i use 180's in mine, but would not drop below 165's... 150's and lighter are more frangible, and their bc's are not nearly as nice - you're handicapping your magnum by shooting light bullets. you could get by w/ 150's, but i think it is kind of risky.

for premium bullets, such as the barnes-x and its brothers, i would go w/ a 165, and get all the velocity i could.

for lower limits... i don't let any of my magnums start out at less than 2950 f/s, regardless of bullet weight. if i can't get 2950, then drop to a lighter bullet.

so, there is my velocity window: 2950-3250 at the muzzle, regardless of bullet weight for standard bullets.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Bullet vs. velocity with whitetail deer

Here in TX the deer are a little on the scrawny side, but we took one in December using an AK-47 with a Hornady VMAX, 123 grain, .310 bullet in front of 26.4 grains of Reloader 7, at ~ 2300 FPS, at a little over a hundred yards. It was a clean kill, the bullet entered, hit a rib, and part of it exited the other side, and part of the bullet traveled down and exited out the middle of the abdomen.