Terminal ballistic

[Scollins]

I would think you would want the heaviest bullet possible, since the velocity will be limited to about 1050 FPS regardless of bullet weight. The 240 will provide more energy than the 180. The 240 will have 587 ft-lbs vs. 440 ft-lbs for the 180, both at 1050 FPS. None of these bullets are going to expand or even fragment at these velocities, so mass is king.

As for specific results, I can't provide any. It would just seem on the surface and on paper that you would want the heaviest bullet...

[RWBlue]

Scollins, I agree with you to a point, but then again no.

If I am getting a through and through and the bullet still tumbles, and the BC is the same or better.... why not go with a lighter bullet?

They cost less.

[RWBlue]

Looks like PMC did a test with 220gr wildcat bullets and got 10-12 inches of pen for a subsonic load.

I think this would get me a through and through on most deer around here.

[Scollins]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

Looks like PMC did a test with 220gr wildcat bullets and got 10-12 inches of pen for a subsonic load.

I think this would get me a through and through on most deer around here.

I haven't hunted in years (like 20, can't find anyone to go with) but I would think that a bullet passing through a deer is different than wet phone books.

If you get the performance you need out of a lighter (and less expensive bullet) than go for it. But are you really shooting all that much in a hunting situation that a few cents per bullet makes that big of an impact?

The heavier bullets also have better BCs, thus more down range energy. The 240 will still have 522 ft-lbs at 200 yards, whereas the 180 has dropped down to 375.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to load up a few of each and see what happens. I can send you a few 240's if you want to try them out (not an open offer to the whole forum though!)