[quote]ORIGINAL: BrutalAttack
Let me clarify my answer as best I can from reading what some of the "experts" think.
From what I've read, to make a reasonable kill on a thin skinned animal such as you have mentioned, would IMO require around 1k ft/lbs retained energy. This is assuming that this takes place in a vaccum but we know that in hunting situations it does not. Read on.
Of course much of that is dependent on bullet design. Would it have enough velocity to expand sufficiently to transfer said retained energy at that distance? That is a whole nother set of variables.
There are bullets designed for rapid expansion at long distances and lower velocities.
That's what I'm asking. What would the minimum combination of velocity and foot pounds be. Then again, you bring up a good point, depends on the type of bullet. Let's assume a co-efficient of .500 and a muzzle velocity of 3240. Now there are not too many left over variables to consider.
In the end, the real question would depend on the animal itself. Given that most species would be similar enough to each other that an "average" could be made, then what type of velocity and foot pounds of energy would the "average" adult male hog require to penetrate the chest cavity with a bullet with the above mentioned ballistics?
I just wondered. Is there a formula for density vs. velocity and energy? Or is there some chart made up by a hunting fanatic? I just wondered. That's all.