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Make It Count
Shot Placement On Big Game.
Throughout the last century, many people have felt compelled to devise mathematical formulas to predict the effectiveness of various calibers, bullet weights and velocities on big game. The simplest formula uses foot-pounds of kinetic energy. Some people suggest a minimum of 2,000 ft-lbs is the minimum required to “cleanly” kill an average 500-pound elk—about the energy retained by a 180-grain spitzer from a .30-06 at 300 yards, or a 180-grain spitzer from a .300 Winchester Magnum at 450 yards.
This sounds plausible, but the truth is that a 180-grain .30-06 bullet will cleanly kill a 500-pound animal at 450 yards, out where its energy level drops below 1,500 ft-lbs. I know this not because of theory but because I’ve done it myself. Instead of ft-lbs, a bullet’s effect depends primarily on exactly where it lands.
Many hunters think any shot landing somewhere in the ribs should be quickly fatal, but the rear edge of a big animal’s lungs only contain tiny blood vessels, and have relatively low “air pressure.” Quite a few hunters have killed an elk and found scar tissue from somebody else’s bullet in the edges of the lungs.
All of this eventually compelled me to come up with yet another killing power formula, called the 90/9/1 Rule: 90 percent of killing power is bullet placement, 9 percent the bullet and 1 percent the cartridge. This may sound simplistic, and no doubt some hunters will strenuously object—the same guys who constantly bicker over which .300 magnum is the ultimate elk cartridge. Since this essay is a monologue, not an election, they don’t get to vote.
Story By: John Barsness
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John Barness is “spot on”.. I have found that “any good” bullet will do just fine IF the shooter does his part. Most shooters have a tendancy to shoot at the BIG part and then use follow up shots. I refure to hunt with someone like this. I have killed 1 antelope, 2 deer, and 5 bull elk in the last 7 or 8 years with my Parkerhale 1200P,300 mag using 165 gn Interlocks. All shots taken at less than 200 yds and were instant kills. My son has learned to hunt and shoot about the same but has a tendancy to reach out a little further. Keep up the good work.
This is a great article. I have followed this Author over the yrs. and agree with the shot placement doctrine. I have never killed an Elk, but dream of it one day. I have however put many other big game animals on the ground quickly,with a .243/100 and 105 grn. or handguns. My big gun, is a bolt .308 win. mostly for pigs.Anything worth pulling the trigger on is worth putting down cleanly-for me it is placement and getting closer. Again, great article.