JetMech
posted this
11 October 2009
Velocity is just one factor in performance. Yes, manufacturers are constantly pushing their high velocity loads as the best performer, but terminal performance is based on other factors as well. Higher velocity allows the shooter to engage targets at varying distances with less concern for bullet drop and wind drift, given the same weight bullet, but it's energy delivered and expended in the target, when hunting, that makes the difference. In target shooting, drop is not a consideration, given known sight settings and a couple sighters. It's also not that much of a consideration to a rifleman who can reasonably estimate range and keep his shots within the range of his capability.
When Savage introduced the 250-3000, Charles Newton advised it be loaded with a 100gn bullet, but to reach that magical 3000fps, bullet weight was reduced to 87 gns. Great marketing, but the 100 gn load was eventually introduced because it was much more effective on game.
Me, personally, give me the heaviest weight bullet in a given caliber that can be pushed efficiently. They are as effective on game as they are on targets. I've been able to push a 220 gn bullet out of a 30-06 damn near as fast as a factory loading and if I was really that interested, with some serious work at the bench, am sure I could achieve it. But, in what are now considered the “standard” bullet weights, that being 150-165gn, I not sure it's achieveable in a game load.
Lead is lead. There's only so much that can be done as far as alloy modification and heat treating. Jacketed bullets, on the other hand, are being re-engineered on a daily basis, it seems. There's no doubt, in my mind, that eventually, Joe hunter will be able to pull the trigger on the latest, greatest super cartidge and not have to worry, or have an understanding of bullet performence whether the target is 50 ft or 500 yds away and be able to drop the animal. But he has one goal, to harvest the game. He has no interest in being a rifleman.