Originally Posted By: Carcassman
Is there a "foot pounds" of energy that one could use to make a judgement? Say (just making it up) that for deer you should 1,000 fp, elk 1,500, and so on?


Kinetic energy is moot. Moot. Trajectory and terminal performance of a particular bullet for a particular purpose is what really matters. Freight trains at 5 mph have gobs of KE but a lousy trajectory and terminal performance. In contrast, I know a MT guide who has had clients use his chunk 22-250AI with Barnes 62 TSX's to precisely punch shoulders of big bulls at 450+ yards. Not much KE but starting out at 3,700+ fps that zippy little pill is a mean motor scooter....

In decades past, have toted both Marlin and Winchester levers guns in 30-30 and a Winny in 44. Savage 99 too. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from doing the same. Just know that there are far superior ways to assuredly put meat in the freezer or to burn powder for fun. And for moi, a Kimber MT chambered for the .308 parent case (.243, 7-08, etc.) is the most for the least $$ in terms of the rifle, ammo, and the external & terminal ballistics. YMMV.