ORIGINAL: thndrchiken
Unfortunately I have to cry foul on that statement. While many deer are harvested due to the wound channel and loss of blood that would be a very real scenario for archery. When shooting a deer with a firearm be it a rifle, pistol or muzzleloader the real killing power comes from the hydrostatic shock that is imparted as the bullet strikes and enters the target. Also bullets do not explode, there is no explosive charge in them, bullets fragment, some more than others. . . .
Thank you for the correction, I used explode wrong. Fragment is a much better description.
I will still disagree that hydrostatic shock is the key to making a consistent killing load. It is certainly aa factor, especially when the animal is planted as we have all seen. I would still say bullet diameter and complete penetration are the key to making a consistent killing load. I guess we will agree to disagree. I have just seen too many animals drop and then walk away. Once they are back on their feet again, it is the wound channel and the bleed out which gets the job completed.