I used to be allcaught up into the1000 pound of energy rule for whitetails until I saw how quickly a deer will die from my .50 cal roundball. My velocity is about 1800 or so fps, with energy well below 1000 foot pounds. Many elk are and have been taken with .50 cal round balls or .54 cal, and I can guarantee you that 1500 foot pounds is completely out of the equation.

I don't guess deer were cleanly taken until magazines with ballistics tables hit the newstands. Really to become an expert on the matter, all you would have to do is write an article, or a book. The ones that really consider themselves experts are the people who read the articles.

As far as the 800 yard shot...I think the question is can you hit where you are aiming. Just one little gust of wind, and instead of hitting the vitals, you might hit the deer in the butt. Then the bigger question is will the bullet perform the way it should with the velocity drop you would have.

I personally wouldn't consider it, but it is fun to talk about.

C. Davis