I think Roy Weatherby sold used cars before he invented hydostatic shock. I've never seen a broken blood vessel that didn't get hit by some part of the bullet.

BobD, I understand and repect that. Its sometimes my favorite shot with a centerfire. It creates the most massive damage I see and really lets a all copper barnes do its work. And you are doing two things. You are laming him and you are taking out most of the vitals. Out of dozens of deer and anmials took down I find it the most effective for takedown.

With a muzzleloader, I dont' mind it and get a exit every time below 35 yards. But I am like you, after that. At 100 yards, I would wait for a clear broadsided shot and even wait until he took a step to expose that boiler room perfectly.

Fellas this statement should explain alot. Enough said.

You must not hunt with a bow.

I don't believe hydrostatic shock is generally credited with breaking blood vessels. All the writing I'v eseen on the subject mentions it in conjuction with shocking the central nervous system.

I don't think there is a solid answer to all this. I have seen shots with Muzzleloaders on the hunting shows where the big animals fall down when hit. I personally shot a big cow elk (estimated over 600lbs. as the bare four quarters weighed 475lbs. on the meat hook) and the shot was at 80 yards with 80gr. of Clear Shot with a 348gr. Powerbelt aerotip which turned sideways and went through the center of the heart stopping on the far side ribcage. The elk just walked off about 30 yards and then fell over. You would have almost thought the shot missed. I shot one this year( much smaller) this time with 90gr. of Black Mag'3 and a 300gr. Hornady which I clocked at 1800fps. with the shot at 90 to 100 yards, and only hit one lung and clipped part of the liver and made a second shot when she reached full speed running and she went another 1/4 mile with four big holes in her as all passed completely through. An elk with one lung is almost unstoppable. I don't know what they use to get those immediate drops of big animals. I doubt that with any muzzleloader the answer is hydraulic shock unless I missed something in the calculations.