Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

This would probably fit better in the "big game" area but since we are talking about the 22-250 and deer here I'll post it here as well.


Seems we are always discussing what big game animal should be shot with what cartridge and bullet. So, I thought I would post some numbers for all to read and what animals they were designed to be used on. I'll quote energy levels at 200 yards, I figure this would be about average for a centerfire rifle. Dangerous game energy levels will be figured at 100 yards.

DANGEROUS GAME ANIMALS
416 Remington 400 grain @ 2400 fps.
5115 foot pounds at the muzzle and at 100 yards 4215 foot pounds.

Figuring a 1500 pound animal (cape buffalo) that comes out to .267 grains of bullet weight to pound of animal and 2.81 foot pounds per pound of animal.

LARGE BIG GAME (ELK AND MOOSE)
338 Win mag, 225 grain @ 2800 fps.
3060 foot pounds at 200 yards.

A 700 pound elk comes out to .321 grains of bullet per pound of animal and 4.37 foot pounds per pound of animal

A 1000 pound moose comes out to .225 grains of bullet per pound and 3.06 foot pounds per pound of animal.


DEER SIZE ANIMALS.
.270 Win, 130 grain bullet @ 3060fps.
1990 foot pounds at 200 yards

A 200 pound deer that comes out to .65 grains of bullet weight per pound of animal and 9.95 foot pounds per pound of animal.

A 22-250 firing a 60 grain bullet generates 830 foot pounds at 200 yards.
That same 200 pound deer comes out to .3 grains of bullet per pound of animal and 4.15 foot pounds per pound of animal.



Looks like the 22-250 figures are right in line with useing a 338 Winchester magnum for elk. Which many argue is the "perfect" elk cartridge.

So why is it acceptable to use less gun per pound of animal when we go after animals like the cape buffalo but when it comes to animals like deer we have to go so far overboard with the "guns" that we use.




ALL OF THIS IS ASSUMING ONE WOULD USE A PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED BULLET FOR THE "JOB" AT HAND.

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

If a .270 is adequate for elk why couldnt a 22-250 be enough fora 150lb deer.
Figure that one out would you.
Hell some people here say a .243 isnt enough for deer. What a crock!

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

Its not.:D Isn't the fun of shooting a deer with a rifle to see the massive damage from the exit wound?:D I mean any gun you use on deer within reason, your overgunned, its just fun and revenge for them not getting into bow range for the past 2 months. So if you going to do it, do it hard. I mean your already at a significant advantage with a gun.

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

That's the first good argument I have heard for useing cartridges like 300's for deer hunting.;):D

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

haha

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

What bullet is that 22 shooting?

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

Absolutely. Sometimes I have went out with a gun just to test a bullet and see how performed in a rifle.

I always say, if you are shooting anything over 100gr over 2100fps, your overgunned for deer. I guess however we are always planning for that once in a lifetime shot. You know the one you tell the story so much that you make people ill. About this big 12pt that came in, and you couldn't find it. So next day you go buy a bazooka and trade in your 243.

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

I have no problem with a .223 for deer if one uses a bullet which can reach the vitals. Most bullets loaded in a .22 caliber cartridges are designed to explode. This is not ideal for hunting deer. If the bullet will reach the vitals then knock yourself out. If not then the gun is unsuitable, whether we are talking a .223, .22-.250, .243, .25 06, .270, .30 06, .300 win mag or any cannon one wants to shoot. I think we worry too much about caliber and not enough about what we are hitting them with. The thunder makes the noise but the lightning does the work. Hit the deer with something which can do the work and ya eat venison.
Dr Fatguy

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

Good point, DR!

RE: Bullet weight and energy per pound of animal
 

drfatguy makes a great point.

I do think that a person needs to be responsible and shoot game with an appropriately designed bullet regardless of caliber. Personally I will not shoot a deer with anything smaller than a 25 caliber, which yes excludes a 243, but thats me. Shoot them with whatever you like as long as it's legal.