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**Frank Ettin** · November 7, 2008, 11:31 PM

I've heard of formulas and endless theories, but what's the point? If load Y under some reasoned theory calculates out to be a superior stopper under certain conditions, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work that well under different conditions or in real life when you actually need it to work.

AFAIK, all of the various attempts to quantify stopping power can do little else but offer some very generalized guidance. And also, AFAIK, they all come up with fairly similar, broad conclusions: e. g., you'll probably have better luck with a 9mm +P JHP than a .38 Sp, 158 grain LRN; in a given caliber, a JHP will usually give more consistently better results than an FMJ; etc. But if you try to get more specific or detailed, the different studies start to contradict each other.

November 7, 2008, 11:31 PM	#16
Frank Ettin Staff Join Date: November 23, 2005 Location: California - San Francisco Posts: 9,471	I've heard of formulas and endless theories, but what's the point? If load Y under some reasoned theory calculates out to be a superior stopper under certain conditions, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work that well under different conditions or in real life when you actually need it to work. AFAIK, all of the various attempts to quantify stopping power can do little else but offer some very generalized guidance. And also, AFAIK, they all come up with fairly similar, broad conclusions: e. g., you'll probably have better luck with a 9mm +P JHP than a .38 Sp, 158 grain LRN; in a given caliber, a JHP will usually give more consistently better results than an FMJ; etc. But if you try to get more specific or detailed, the different studies start to contradict each other.