Quote:
Originally Posted by Macdsl
Is there a commonly accepted foot lbs of energy that is required for elk? Might make some of my decisions easier...lol
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Ft lbs is a bit of an argument starter.
How many Ft lbs of energy does an arrow impart, upon a target?
If a bullet exits the chest cavity, did it impart the full amount of kinetic energy it possessed when it hit its target.
I've seen elk killed with 100 grain cup core bullets out of an 18-1/2" bbl'd .243Win.
I've witnessed elk soaking up 180 grain Partition bullets from a .300 Win Mag, it took a saintly gent with an old fashioned .270Win with 130 grain cup cores to finally anchor that bull.(shots in legs and guts no matter how skookum the load don't down game)
The hunters ability to become proficient with their rifle of choice, has to be weighed and balanced. Rifles like a 300 Win Mag often induce flinches and bad habits in many hunters. Get larger and more powerful chamberings, and it becomes harder and harder to perfect your shooting form.
There isn't an elk that walks this earth that is bullet proof. A well placed .27 or .28 caliber bullet of stout enough design of at least 140 grains, starting out of the muzzle at at least 2800 fps will kill elk out to most ranges any average hunter will ever reasonably hunt.
You crunch those numbers because well, they are just that numbers.