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taralon · July 5, 2007, 08:18 PM

Basically yes.

There are a number of "formula's" that are used to determine how effective a round might be. Straight up kinetic energy is the popular one of the day. A popular one around the turn of the 19th century was the Taylor Knock Out (TKO) formula. It was basically weight of bullet in lbs * velocity * bullet caliber.

Take for instance a .375-magnum rifle shooting a 300-grain bullet at a velocity of 2560 fps times caliber of .375. This equals a TKO index of 41. Contrast this with a .50 muzzleloading rifle shooting a 600 grain maxi, at a velocity of 1400 fps times caliber of .50. This produces an index of ~56.

Which is better? Who knows!

Personally I've found that given two loads with the same kinetic energy, the one with a heavier slower bullet of better sectional density penetrates farther.

July 5, 2007, 08:18 PM	#4
taralon Member Join Date: October 21, 2004 Posts: 88	Basically yes. There are a number of "formula's" that are used to determine how effective a round might be. Straight up kinetic energy is the popular one of the day. A popular one around the turn of the 19th century was the Taylor Knock Out (TKO) formula. It was basically weight of bullet in lbs * velocity * bullet caliber. Take for instance a .375-magnum rifle shooting a 300-grain bullet at a velocity of 2560 fps times caliber of .375. This equals a TKO index of 41. Contrast this with a .50 muzzleloading rifle shooting a 600 grain maxi, at a velocity of 1400 fps times caliber of .50. This produces an index of ~56. Which is better? Who knows! Personally I've found that given two loads with the same kinetic energy, the one with a heavier slower bullet of better sectional density penetrates farther.