I love the test NYBOB did, posted on the Smokeless board. Randy's comment on the weight retention of one of the bullets got me thinking. My first reaction was 60% is still 180 grains left and the loss of weight didn't seem to hurt its penetration but I thought I'd poke around some. What I found the most interesting I posted below. It is from the Nosler website under FAQs.
What do you guys think? Agree or disagree with their assessment?
What are the pros and cons of weight retention?
As a bullet expands through an animal, the small pieces of lead and copper it loses come off at right angles to the bullet's path. This is caused by the centrifugal force of the bullet's rotation. These small pieces become secondary projectiles creating a larger trauma cavity which induces more bleeding.
An expanding bullet of high weight retention will generally have a large picture book mushroom. This large mushroom retards the bullets ability to penetrate and does not create as large a trauma cavity. Conversely, a bullet which expands too quickly or loses too much weight will not get to the vitals.
At Nosler, we feel a bullet needs both qualities. A nose which expands quickly for light bodied game or long range low velocity impacts. A partition or thicker rear jacket for weight retention, and a smaller mushroom for deep penetration.
What do you guys think? Agree or disagree with their assessment?
What are the pros and cons of weight retention?
As a bullet expands through an animal, the small pieces of lead and copper it loses come off at right angles to the bullet's path. This is caused by the centrifugal force of the bullet's rotation. These small pieces become secondary projectiles creating a larger trauma cavity which induces more bleeding.
An expanding bullet of high weight retention will generally have a large picture book mushroom. This large mushroom retards the bullets ability to penetrate and does not create as large a trauma cavity. Conversely, a bullet which expands too quickly or loses too much weight will not get to the vitals.
At Nosler, we feel a bullet needs both qualities. A nose which expands quickly for light bodied game or long range low velocity impacts. A partition or thicker rear jacket for weight retention, and a smaller mushroom for deep penetration.
