[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

BC has nothing to do with it once the bullet gets to an animal, bullet weight, penetration, and energy is what does the job. If OP is talking about "most" hunting then this list is a good example.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_killing_power_list.htm

Isn't BC a determining factor in how much energy the bullet retains in flight? A 140gr ELDX bullet out a 260rem at 500yds will have more energy than a 168gr ELDX bullet out of a 308, will be traveling almost 200fps faster, and have much better penetration. Minimum performance speed for most hunting bullets is 1800fps, so by about 565yds, and about 1200ftpd energy the 168gr out of the 308 is done, where the 260rem will make it out to 750yds while having about 1000ftpds of energy. Even though the 260 will have less energy it will still penetrate deeper and have enough speed for the ELDX to perform properly. For reference, at 550yds the 260rem is still traveling at 2025fps and has 1275ftpd of energy, and at 750yds the 308 has about 900ftpd energy and is traveling at about 1550fps. As far as wind drift is concerned, the 6.5 is the clear winner.

Apples to apples the 6.5 stomps the 30cal with less recoil.


Dean, I've got 3 new rifles to develope loads for, I just don't know how bad I want to do it in -20!!!!