430Man:"It is false to assume energy is lost when a good boolit exits an animal because if it did the work in the animal, you need no more. A bad boolit is another story if nothing is done to the animal in passage."

To me that wraps it up.

To utilize which ever mathematical jargon you are fond of, you have to first match the bullet to the game species.

That's the problem with almost any formula.
Numbers are thrown out, but no real effort was used to quantify the bullet or the use of the bullet.


A 30-06 with 150gr FMJ spitzers, for example isn't a hunting bullet like a 30-06 with 150-165gr Core-lokts.
It isn't designed to be.

When used on deer, the FMJ probably will just squirt on through, with little overall damage, compared to a 150gr Core-lokt.

Did the FMJ "waste" its energy in passing?.
If the animal is still running, yes.
Due to poor bullet choice for the task at hand.

Did the Core-lokt waste it's energy when it expanded and past through?
No, not if the animal is dead.

Did the Core-lokt then have MORE THAN ENOUGH energy to kill the deer since it expanded and still past through?
Yes, but the deer is dead, and that is what we are after.
The more dead the better.

If the Core-lokt '06 passed through, thus probably having MORE than enough "whatever" to kill the deer, could a similarly constructed, but less powerfull round kill a deer?

Yes. That is where handguns come in.
Although less "powerfull", with properly constructed bullets,
in a proper loading, they generate ENOUGH "oomph", to cleanly kill a given game species.

Could a .357 make a nastier wound than a .30-06?
It could within different designs of bullets.

Does that mean the .357 kills better?
Of course not.
Equally as well?
Sure within it's limitations, with properly designed bullets.