I bought and have read a book titled

"Rifle Bullets for the Hunter A Definitive Study" [/b]
By
John Barsness, Craig Boddington, John Haviland, Richard Mann, Ron Spomer, Bryce Towsley

you can see from the names of the authors that they have a lot of experience and wisdom to write such a book.


Here are some things that struck me in the book and that I learned.

Chapter 5 Deer Bullets

P. 120 “The wound cavity of a 180 grain, 308 Nosler AccuBond impacting at a velocity of 2900 feet per second in the Bullet Test Tube is impressive. This bullet produces one of the largest wound cavities of any 180 grain, 308 caliber bullet.

P. 129
Penetrating Bullets
You do not need a penetrating bullet or solid for any big-game animal less than 400 pounds with the possible exception of trying to stop a charging lion. Even then , experienced hunters will tell you that a balanced bullet that penetrates deeply would be a better choice. With the exception of solids, most of the bullets that behave as penetrators do so because impact velocities are below the lower velocity limit the bullet was designed to operate at.

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Chapter 8 Muzzleloading Bullets by Bryce M. Towsley

P 190 A ML bullet kills game primarily by tissue caused by direct contact with the bullet rather than any hydrostatic action.

P 195. The round ball kills game with an effectiveness that outshines the math.

P. 203 Maybe they’re not sexy to look at, but a .54-caliber T/X maxi-ball gets the job done. Every deer I shot with it had a large entry hole, a bigger exit hole and a blood trail that Stevie Wonder could follow…… Big bullets kill better.


P 206. We are asking the rather simple pistol bullets of the time to do something they were never intended to do. …. The muzzle velocity of a ML using the same bullet is often approaching 2,000 fps. The bullets can’t handle it and come apart on impact, resulting in poor penetration.

P 210 Extensive testing of ML bullets has shown that the higher velocity of magnum charges does not guarantee deeper penetration. In fact, usually the opposite is true. The key is the bullet’s terminal ballistic characteristics. An overwhelming majority of ML bullets will over-expand or fragment, which impedes penetration, when impact velocity approaches 2,000 fps. When testing both 100 and 150g propellant charges, it is common to find the bullet using the lighter charge will penetrate deeper.

I have read the the ML chapter 3 times and castbullets a couple of timeand I keep learning things. I recommend the book, it cost 34.95 with $3 shipping you can order it online at http://www.ramworks.net/. I didn't realize that cast bullets are so good, they have excellent penetration capability, but don't expand as much. There is a whole chapter on how to make them. Maybe that is what your Bull Stops are that folks keep talking about for the White Rifle.




There is a chapter on bullet testing, which is very good. The book is definitely worth the $38 price, and would be a great gift for a hunter or shooter. I will probably get my brother a copy for his birthday. You will have to reread several chapters multiple times.

Chap Gleason