ORIGINAL: Dixie Rebel
The perfect bullet will do this;
[ol][*]Accurately reach the deer[*]Penetrate[*]Expand,causing massive damage inside[*]Hold the bullet jacket and core together[*]Maintain bullet integrity/weight as much as possible[*]Exit the deer!!!!!!!!!![*]Yes, exit woundsARE a desireablebenefit![/ol]
I like Nosler Partitions!
For the record...I'm totally against head shots; they ARE NOT a hit or miss proposition as many would have you believe.
Behind the Shoulder andHigh Shoulder shots are fine...but not head shots.
I am confused by this: Your #5 hopes for full weight retention while your favorite bullet sheds over 40% of it's weight at high velocities?
Don't get me wrong, the partition is a GREAT bullet. But, it can't hold a candle to solid copper or true bonded bullets (trophy bond/bearclaw) in terms of weight retention. I'da guessed Barnes to be your favorite(?).
However, I think the partition (& bullets that behave is such manner) are the best of both worlds. If a bullet sheds "some"; your #3 has just increased. You have a larger wound channel (ever shot something with birdshot up close) and then you still get ENOUGH penetration (deer are not bulletproof, nor built like cape buffalo).
Don't get me wrong. Everyone needs a bullet to make it to the deer & into the vitals. My experience has observed that larger wound channels=dead deer faster. As stated, here in the Southeast is a BIG advantage. Still a 100% retention bullet will kill just as dead... Just not as quick for me... YMMV, just don't believe everything the bullet manf's tell you (It's called advertising)
And for the record: I am not either a fan of a headshot from some ya-hoo that didn't check his rifle since last year. But, I put hours at the bench & shooting each week. I wouldn't think of carrying a rifle to the woods I couldn't hit a golfball with (CONSISTANTLY) at 100yrds. A short whistle will put any 50yrddeer in the woods into statue mode. Were is the problem? 2+2=4.....