My epiphany about "stopping power"

by RangerBob, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 10:37 (4360 days ago) @ JLF

Some years ago I traded my way into a Ruger #1 in .458WM.

I mostly shoot 45-70 level cast-bullet loads, but was interested in the ultimate deer stopper load.

I loaded a Remington 405gr FN bullet to 2300fps. Thats about 4500 foot-pounds of energy.

Now that Remington bullet is designed for about 1500fps, and I knew that it would be very explosive at 2300fps. I thought of it as a low-tech ballistic tip that would fragment and do extensive damage on 100-150lb game.

I hit the 120lb doe through the shoulder and both lungs, blowing a 2" diameter hole all the way through. You could put your fist in the exit wound.

That doe ran 60yds before piling up . . . . just like it would have done if hit by a .357mag.

That day I gave up on stopping power.

If 4500fp will not "stop" a 120lb doe, then the difference between a 9mm and a .45ACP is academic.

Bob