Shocked by the numbers

[wvfarrier]

I was bored yesterday while laying in my hospital recovery bed (Im fine btw). So, using the Killing Power math that Paco used in his 45 Colt article I ran thru some of my common hunting loads. I was quite literally shocked at some of the figures, as these loads have relatively low KS numbers but are excellent hunting rounds. I rounded up or down depending on the decimals.

Speer Gold Dot .223 64 grain at 2950 fps = 27 KS
This load is an awesome whitetail deer slayer.

10mm 220 grain hard cast at 1200 fps = 37 KS
Its a great load out of my S&W 610 revolver.

300 Blackout 125 BTHP at 2175 fps = 38 KS
Another absolute monster on deer sized game

357 mag 158 grain JSP at 2000 fps (levergun) = 45 KS
This is my all time favorite hunting load for deer and black bear and has never failed me, including my 1 and only Elk (cow).

45 Colt +P 300 grain XTP at 1500 fps (24" barrel) = 64 KS!!! I have yet to hunt with this load but its extremely accurate and performs incredibly well in penetration tests. I have no doubt it will slay anything in North America.

[piller]

I have run a . 45 Colt 300 grain XTP out of a Ruger 4 5/8 ths inch blach hawk to 1050 fps. Probably a very similar load out of a 16 inch carbine to what you are using. It is not mild, but not uncontrollable. Those loads should be good for putting anything in North America on the ground.

[AJMD429]

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I've had similar impressions vis a vis the Taylor Knock-Out factor.

Maybe helpful with the really big game though...

[Grizz]

how is the Killing Power Math computed?

[wvfarrier]

Weight of the projectile multiplied by its velocity. That number is then divided by 7000 (number of grains in a pound).


I found it in Paco's article of max loaded 45 colt information for the model 92 action

https://leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm

[AJMD429]

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The TKO adds 'meplat' which I think is good; helps account for bleed-hole and pneumothorax-hole diameter for mid-sized game, and maybe some factor in energy transfer in the big critters. A baseball bat with the same MxV number as a broomstick would certainly seem to leave a greater impression.

The real-world hunters know best I'm sure.

[OldWin]

I know I'm a simpleton, but to me, none of these "values" mean anything to me.
Everyone wants some quantifiable number or score for a given cartridge with a given load on specific game. To me it just isn't realistic. This why two different people with the same firearm, with the same load, against the same target, get completely different results.
How do you quantify an individual animals or persons will to live or will to escape? It's will to attack or kill?
A bullet strike a quarter inch to the left that doesn't nick a major artery?
Best.....
Deer rifle
Bear defense
Man stopper........
It is meaningless in many circumstances.

What does matter, and can be quantified, is the user's ability to shoot whatever firearm they choose. Have skill in its operation, and confidence in their own abilities.

[wvfarrier]

I just found the numbers interesting

[OldWin]

I just found the numbers interesting

No, I understand. I apologize if I sounded like I was attacking you. I assure you, I was not.
I just never understood how it can be accurate.
I do understand people's desire to quantify things.

For me, every time I look through the sights on an animal, I feel the stress of the unknown. There is just no sure things. It's always a crapshoot to some degree.