Sabotloader said

I know they work and the continue to work - but ask mostshooters in Washington or Colorado if they had their choice - What would you shoot? Yes, some would still say give me a full big bore conical - I want to make a big hole but most would choose a more efficient flatter bulletfor themselves and the animals.

I am not sure whether efficient necessarily means flatter. For a moment, lets just consider what efficiencies one may wish to have. Energy efficiency for a given charge for example. Here one wishes for the maximum energy to exit the muzzle for a fixed powder charge. Generally, this will be a heavier bullet. Greater efficiency at retaining energy down range. That entirely depends on the bullet. But my 460 grain conical has a B.C. .260 which is better than any 45 cal pistol bullet which can stabilize with 1:28 twist. If efficient means doing damage. The full bore conical at minimum is making a bigger hole with no expansion than its saboted cousin. If the full bore conical is softer and expanding more than its saboted cousin, then the full bore conical is much more efficient at creating a larger, more devastating wound channel. []

Flatter trajectory has its benefits but it also has its costs. Again, one weighs the pros and cons, there is no single load which pleases all people at all times. I truly believe that there are no deficiencies in the heavy full bore conical which can not be overcome with range practice and patience in the field. The effiencies lost to lighter bullets are just lost altogether and the hunter can not make up for them with skill, but rather, must accept and incorporate the lost efficiencies in hishunting plan.

Happy Hunting, Phil