AGSHOOTER, what you're missing is the fact that any given solid bullet will penetrate deeper if it is launched slower (within a certain velocity range!!), as resistance to penetration increases as the square of the velocity increase. Just read the Garrett article!It is pretty easy to understand!!

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/penetration.asp

For example:

"Very interestingly, if one takes the Hornady 500-grain .458 diameter solid bullet and compares the penetration that results from impact speeds varying from about 1500-fps to 2500-fps, one finds that the higher impact speeds produce the least penetration. When driven to about 1500-fps (as the 45-70 will do) one finds that such solids produce nearly 6-feet of penetration in wet newspapers. When the same bullet is driven to about 2100-fps (as is characteristic of the 458 Winchester Magnum) one finds that the penetration is reduced to about 4 to 4 and 1/2 feet. When one tests the same bullet at 2300-2400 fps (as is characteristic of the 458 Lott) one finds that the penetration comes up nearly 20% short of that produced by the 458 Winchester. And when one tests the same bullet at the blistering speeds characteristic of the mighty 460 Weatherby Magnum, one finds that the penetration achieved is the most shallow produced by the various 458s."

Just a question on this interesting information. At high velocity speed on large bullets, what happens to the energy that is being absorbed. Is the energy just absorbed by the target , does it create a so call shock wave and if so does it do anything to the vitals or does the energy just push the target ? I’m not sure if I’m getting my question across but I’m trying...

Yep its absorbed by the target in many forms. Some as shock waves, some as push, but you can't break that law.

I have not used many solids but when it comes to hard cast bullets, to much velovity will start some expansion or at least deformation. Anything that causes a bullet to change a straight and true course will interfier with expansion. As much as some will deny this to the end, sometimes slower really is better. When it comes to big slow lead bullets, several million buffalo can't be wrong. Also when a 45-70 bullet will kill two Cape Buffalo with one shot and completly penetrate both, Its pretty hard so convince one that the 45=70 does not have what it takes. The story of the guy who took the African big six with the 45-70 marlin is also on that site. This along with several other feats that the old war horse can't do.

LOL. I know a guy who made a reverse Texas heart shot on a deer with a .458 WIN mag loaded with a cast bullet at reduced velocities. He Shot in straight on and the bullet penetrated all the way through the deer the long way.

My line of thinking is that greater velocity=greater penetration, given the same bullet... Regardless of the change in surface tension in the water, the friction between animal and the entering bullet is the same--right?

Nope, remember the physics that eld pointed out.

resistance to penetration increases as the square of the velocity increase

There's a balance your trying to reach. Not too much, not too little to get max penetration.

Got it, sorry Eld, i missed your reply earlier --

but I still like to smack em hard as possible Thats the reason I hve a 2100fps 45-70 300gr partition deer load.

BC. You are right on that, most any good bullets will not lack penetration on deer size game. Therefore the velocity and shock effect is what you want. I really like the Partition and also the 300 grain Hornady HP. For bigger game like moose, you can't beat the 350 grain Hornady RN. Good penetration but also fair expansion. I have taken some really big Black Bears with that bullet from the Marlin. If I recall, I was getting about 1900 fps with that load.