RE: How much energy for deer?
Unlike others on this board I do consider energy. You cannot always count on a perfect heart shot and might really count on good hydrstatic shock to get the job done. Especially if you hunt in a place where you can't have a deer run 100 yards on another piece of property. Here in MD for instance, you have probably lost that deer if it runs 100 yards. Since moving up here, I found out, if you don't get it down quick, the other guy will. 500ft-lbs of energy I don't believe would penetrate a deer if you took a quartering to you shot. I have shot alot of deer at 100 yards and with my older MK-85, with 90-95gr of powder with XTP bullet, I didn't get passthrus all the time. In fact at that distance rarely. I did in 50 yard range. Depends where you hunt really and your situation.