01-28-2023, 03:13 PM
chatterbox Wrote:Set down you smart phone and upload the chart to your laptop so you can see it. Better yet, print it off at full size at 8.5x11. It took three weeks of running formulas to put the chart together (the original is much larger, running all the way up to .338 mag), you shouldn't expect to understand it in 5 minutes. Suffice it to say that the green zones are the ethical kill zones for the respective cartridges and loads. The 6mm, like the .223 barely has a kill zone. Whereas, it is readily obvious that the 6.5 Grendel is the only AR-15 round that can conceivably be used on elk.
Range would be more limited but would not hesitate to kill an elk with some other AR cartridges. 50 Beowulf, 458 socom are plenty within their range limitations.
Always strange by the charts the 44 magnum would not be enough for whitetail but inside its range it is fine for moose. I remember one gun writer that had written about needing at least 1000ftlbs to kill a whitetail then a bit later write about his moose hunt with the 44 magnum handgun whit which he got his moose.
ft/lbs calculation squares velocity giving it more than mass in the final numbers. For an extreme instance there are 22/250 varmint loads with more muzzle energy than the 45-70. I do not think anyone would hunt bison with a 22-250.
Joyce Hornady was a target shooter that started making bullets that would do all shots in one hole as his goal. It has morphed into a very successful bullet and ammo company that has introduced some good bullets and cartridges and some duds as well. they are very good at advertising and promotion. The only confirmed splash/crater wounds I have had on whitetails were all with Hornady bullets 140gr and 150gr Interlock bullets from a 7mm-08 and 308 Winchester respectively. Those were confirmed after a successful follow-up shot was made. Those and factory loads with ES of over 150fps makes me question manufacturing consistency at times and why I prefer my reloads for hunting. Oh forgot one Berger hunting bullet blowup from the 6.5-284
Nosler is my choice for hunting bullets for most of the calibers as I have never had one fail on game. Problem with them now days is supply or lack there of, but I bought 300 LRAB a few years ago for the Grendel and that will be enough for a while.