Adding numbers to the notorious caliber debate

[rayporter]

Every time I look at these type of bullet charts and spread sheets, I walk away wondering why the 7mm-08 isn’t more popular.

or a 284!

 

[Beendare]

Good thread Menhaden....the side by side number comparisons are Interesting.

 

[prm]

What the OP failed to mention is how to use these tables. You print them out, tack to the wall and throw a dart at it. Whatever cartridge the dart hits you select and go hunt. The more cartridges you list the better chance of a new rifle each year!

 

[EmperorMA]

The really important number is missing, though. Since he used the ELD-X as the template bullet, we don't need energy numbers we just need to know at what range the bullet falls below the manufacturer's listed minimum impact velocity of 1,600 fps.

I would probably personally limit that to 1,700 or 1,800 just to be safe (or maybe not). I would also not want to use that bullet in a big magnum like the 28 Nosler or big 30s if I had absolutely any inclination that I might have to shoot an elk at under 100 yards, so there's that.

 

[menhaden_man]

Good thread Menhaden....the side by side number comparisons are Interesting.

Wish I had a little more time this holiday... was thinking of redoing the chart with all the whizzbang cool calibers out there to see how much more you're actually getting over the old standby rounds.

 

[menhaden_man]

The really important number is missing, though. Since he used the ELD-X as the template bullet, we don't need energy numbers we just need to know at what range the bullet falls below the manufacturer's listed minimum impact velocity of 1,600 fps.

I would probably personally limit that to 1,700 or 1,800 just to be safe (or maybe not). I would also not want to use that bullet in a big magnum like the 28 Nosler or big 30s if I had absolutely any inclination that I might have to shoot an elk at under 100 yards, so there's that.

Figuring out a way to roll in bullet performance would be a neat addition... only picked the ELDX because it was available in all the calibers I looked up (and was hoping to stay consistent where possible). Also because Hornady has an easy reference table to grab the values. Agree that practical range for a kill would be a good metric though.

 

[EmperorMA]

Figuring out a way to roll in bullet performance would be a neat addition... only picked the ELDX because it was available in all the calibers I looked up (and was hoping to stay consistent where possible). Also because Hornady has an easy reference table to grab the values. Agree that practical range for a kill would be a good metric though.

The are better indicators, IMHO.

Here are the velocity/energy/sectional density figures of the 143gr ELD-X fired from a 6.5 Creedmoor followed by the 178gr ELD-X fired from a .30-06 at 500 yards:

2030/1308/2.93

1969/1533/2.68

The .30-06 load is still packing that arbitrary "1,500 ft lbs of energy to kill an elk" at 500 yards, while the 6.5 Creedmoor load is not. If 'energy" is what matters, it should be superior, right?

Wrong.

The Creed's 143gr ELD-X is traveling faster at this distance than the '06's 178gr ELD-X. The 143gr 6.5mm bullet also has a (much) greater SD than the 178gr .308 bullet. As such, you can absolutely expect that the long 143gr bullet with higher SD traveling at a higher velocity would absolutely out-penetrate and cause more damage than the shorter, less dense 178gr bullet traveling at a lower velocity.

In this apples-to-apples scenario, I would absolutely choose this 6.5 Creedmoor load over the .30-06 version, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Energy just doesn't matter to me. Placement, impact velocity and bullet construction do.

 

[sickles107]

No no no, every one should get a 6.5 kreedmore..


So I can keep laughing at the ammo shelf when I pickup some .308

 

[Rich M]

Fun exercise and thanks.

I found that 243 w 100 gr has about same volocity and trajectory as 150 gr 3006, yet 3006 is not listed as a flat shooter.

 

[EmperorMA]

Fun exercise and thanks.

I found that 243 w 100 gr has about same volocity and trajectory as 150 gr 3006, yet 3006 is not listed as a flat shooter.

It is a flat shooter! Just not for very long.