Round penetration or energy in the animal

[ShortMagFan]

If I ever need a blood trail after shooting an animal with a high powered rifle, something has gone terribly wrong.

Tell me you haven’t shot a lot of big game without saying you haven’t shot a lot of big game …

 

[FredH]

I like a bullet that quickly expands to 60 caliber, penetrates in a straight line and leaves a 1 1/2" or larger exit hole. This is easier done with 7mm and up cartridges and bullets that start out weighing 130 grains. I like to see a spray of blood and internal parts out the far side.

 

[roadrunner]

Tell me you haven’t shot a lot of big game without saying you haven’t shot a lot of big game …

I'd wager he's killed more big game than you, just not all of them with a rifle...

 

[Choupique]

What are your thoughts on rounds blowing out both sides or all the energy within the body cavity. Let’s say within 100 yards

I place priority on straight line penetration and controlled expansion. I need broken bones and very liberal blood trails incase the deer does get off. Best performance to me is bonded bullets with good sectional density and a lot of diameter.

Ive posted pictures like this before. Its difficult to describe how thick our woods are. I killed a deer this evening that ran 30 yards and it took me 30 minutes to drag it back to the trail. I didnt cherry pick that first picture - thats what the deer ran off into. Without an extremely liberal blood trail or a good dog, you aren't finding a deer in there.

That said, im trying a .223 as soon as I get it sighted back in and trying out the tipped match bullets. I dont see how a deer shot in both lungs with a violenty fragmenting bullet wouldnt be spitting blood everywhere.