"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."

Never had any problem with "pistol bullets"in my muzzleloaders. Used to use 130-150 grains of Pyrodex RS and pellets with Hornady 240 grain XTP bullets. Never had any problem killing deer and hogs with those loads. Some bullets did exit, others did not. Not to matter, over 90 percent of the animals hit were bang flops. Pick my shots carefullybecause ipersonally do not like to track wounded animals.

The only big game animal i ever lost was a cow elk in 2003. She was shot at about 90 yards dead through the lungs. Five of us looked for her in vain for over seven hours after the blood trail petered out.Another hunter found her and took her out. Later talked with him. He did not find the very small exit hole until he skinned the animal. That the elk was lost because i had switched from the 240 grain XTP to that useless 250 grain TC PTX that did not expand when it hit her.The powder charge was 150 grains of Pyrodex RS.

"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."

This is true of sabot loads. Depending on the circumstances, the over-expansion can be a good thing.i'vedressed deer and hogs thathad beengutshotbut just flopped over dead. Examination of the heart and lungs showed penetration and laceration from bullet fragments.