Yeah Cayugad, it's the age old debate. Is it better for a bullet to expend all of its energy inside the animal, or have a guaranteed pass through with the energy the bullet is still carrying after it passes through being wasted? Both sides have what seem to be valid points.

I tend to favor a pass through with two holes for a blood trail. I'm not much concerned with what the energy numbers are if a load is giving me pass through on broadside heart/lung shots (which, other than neck shots, are pretty much the only shots I take).

Consider this. At 100 yards the .40/200 grain XTP over 65 grains has just about the same energy as a .575 ball over 85 grains (my standard hunting load) out of my TC GM barreled .58 Hawken. That says enough for me. I have absoultely no qualms shooting a deer at 100 yards with the .58 Hawken.