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btmj · January 28, 2013, 12:44 PM

It depends on the caliber. With 357 mag, it is hard for a bullet NOT to be effective. Just about any 125 - 158 grain hollowpoint with 500-600 ft-lb of energy is going to have good terminal performance.

Same is true for 10mm. And 44 mag, hot 45 LC (as noted above) and probably 45 ACP+P as well. I don't see how advanced bullet technology is needed with a 200 grain (or heavier) projectile with 500 ft-lb (or more, or a lot more) of energy.

Now if we are talking about 38 spcl, or 380, then yes, I think bullet technology can make important improvements. Look at how far the 9mm has come... 30 years ago, 9mm hollowpoints were marginal. Now their terminal performance has been greatly improved.

January 28, 2013, 12:44 PM	#6
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 534	It depends on the caliber. With 357 mag, it is hard for a bullet NOT to be effective. Just about any 125 - 158 grain hollowpoint with 500-600 ft-lb of energy is going to have good terminal performance. Same is true for 10mm. And 44 mag, hot 45 LC (as noted above) and probably 45 ACP+P as well. I don't see how advanced bullet technology is needed with a 200 grain (or heavier) projectile with 500 ft-lb (or more, or a lot more) of energy. Now if we are talking about 38 spcl, or 380, then yes, I think bullet technology can make important improvements. Look at how far the 9mm has come... 30 years ago, 9mm hollowpoints were marginal. Now their terminal performance has been greatly improved.