TennBuck
Well-Known Member
whats more important when deer hunting?
velocity vs energy
- Thread starter TennBuck
- Start date
Energy
Model70Man
Well-Known Member
Velocity is the most important. In the equation E=mc2, speed is squared. The lower the velocity, the smaller the energy.
In the end shot placement trumps all other factors.
In the end shot placement trumps all other factors.
FULLDRAWXX75
Well-Known Member
velocity will get your bullet there faster or slower, but the amount of kenetic energy in the bullet at final destination is what causes penetration and shock upon impact.
look at ballistics charts, you can get a bullet way out there, but with nothing left to kill with.
FDXX75
a really hot load with a super light bullet will get there really quick, but more than likely disinigrate on impact, speed without mass produces very little kenetic energy.
look at ballistics charts, you can get a bullet way out there, but with nothing left to kill with.
FDXX75
a really hot load with a super light bullet will get there really quick, but more than likely disinigrate on impact, speed without mass produces very little kenetic energy.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Realistically, neither are of concern with the average centerfire rifles and loads available today, and besides, KE is a direct function of velocity.
Before you flame on think about it:
At what velocity do you need penetration? I would suspect you would achieve a complete passthru at around 300 fps or so. Most modern rifles travel around 2500-3500 fps. Way more than enough even out to a mile. Granted, the bullet wouldn't even expand at that velocity, but the critter would eventually expire if hit well. Besides, velocity has nothing to do with penetration anyway. Penetration is all about bullet construction.
energy: now this is a little more important, but again irrevelant with modern centerfire rifles versus deer. I think you need around 800 ft-lbs for a reliable whitetail kill. Again most modern rifles produce a minimum 2000 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Heck, my 300 ultra delivers 2000 ft lbs at 700 yards.
A better question would be which is more important: velocity versus mass. And then you get into the debate whether a slow heavy bullet outperforms a light fast bullet. And that debate has been going on for decades.
Before you flame on think about it:
At what velocity do you need penetration? I would suspect you would achieve a complete passthru at around 300 fps or so. Most modern rifles travel around 2500-3500 fps. Way more than enough even out to a mile. Granted, the bullet wouldn't even expand at that velocity, but the critter would eventually expire if hit well. Besides, velocity has nothing to do with penetration anyway. Penetration is all about bullet construction.
energy: now this is a little more important, but again irrevelant with modern centerfire rifles versus deer. I think you need around 800 ft-lbs for a reliable whitetail kill. Again most modern rifles produce a minimum 2000 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Heck, my 300 ultra delivers 2000 ft lbs at 700 yards.
A better question would be which is more important: velocity versus mass. And then you get into the debate whether a slow heavy bullet outperforms a light fast bullet. And that debate has been going on for decades.
FULLDRAWXX75
Well-Known Member
K = 1/2mv2
Where K is kinetic energy, m is mass in kilograms, and v is velocity in meters per second. Because the mass is constant, if the velocity is increased, the kinetic energy must also increase.
FDXX75
Where K is kinetic energy, m is mass in kilograms, and v is velocity in meters per second. Because the mass is constant, if the velocity is increased, the kinetic energy must also increase.
FDXX75
FLTENNHUNTER1
Well-Known Member
Shot placement. You can drop deer all day long with a 223 through the heart. I don't recommend it for deer but I know many people that use it to take deer successfully.
I like my 300 win mag for speed (shoots flat) and down range energy.
I like my 300 win mag for speed (shoots flat) and down range energy.
I would say both are important, most guns are overkill for deer, but I like overkill to be honest. What you need and want are two different thing, 98% of the deer killed by members on TNdeer could have been taken by a 30/30, but the long range guns make shot placement and bullet drop estimation easier. Velocity and energy are tied together without one the other is negated. I personally believe that the bullet selection can do more to increase your killing effectiveness than going to extremes on either velocity or energy.
solodren
Well-Known Member
this is really a neat topic ,, cause they dont necasarily go together ,, looking at charts , weight and velocity gets pretty interesting...
Well i started using a supersling shot with little bbs and it goes so fast i lose penetration but when i use my old slingshot with a 4 oz lead fishing weight i can see it flying its so slow but darn it puts em on the ground LOL
Tikkabuck
Well-Known Member
Roy Weatherby always said speed is the killer,the man is a legend so take that for what it's worth.
FULLDRAWXX75
Well-Known Member
It is the perfect combination of both, speed without mass you get splat, no speed and all weigh never gets you there.
Bullet construction make a huge differents in results as well with expansion & penetration.
A straight clean pass-thru without minimal damage or shock is relatively useless, as well as a heavy slow mover that hits but gets no penetration or expansion.
FDXX75
More importantly, if you can't hit your target effectively, you can't kill it.
Bullet construction make a huge differents in results as well with expansion & penetration.
A straight clean pass-thru without minimal damage or shock is relatively useless, as well as a heavy slow mover that hits but gets no penetration or expansion.
FDXX75
More importantly, if you can't hit your target effectively, you can't kill it.
