Velocity is OK up to a threshold limit and what you can shoot accurately. At an extreme low velocity, a sedate 950 fps with a heavy (400 grains and up) hard-cast, gas-check bullet you can bring down buffalo. But sending a heavy bullet over 2000 fps will increase recoil and make accurate bullet placement less likely. High velocity can also reduce penetration as tests have shown. So 1350 fps to 1400 fps is a good maximum to reach. 1200 fps is a good minimum for penetration reliability.
A Cutting Edge solid bullet can also be a good penetration asset at top velocity due to ultimate bullet integrity. But I digress. Use what you can safely shoot and hit your mark with. And use a bullet that will perform as your needs dictate.
Velocity is definitely an asset if your bullets are up to the task. Only lousy expanding bullets and hardcast bullets benefit from lower velocities. I don?t know who?s testing you are referring to but mine show the opposite results excluding cast bullets and bad expanding bullets. I?ve used CEBs on water buffalo in Argentina and again the more velocity the merrier. You can kill buffalo with 950 fps loads but it will likely be a slow drawn out process. I don?t like slow drawn out processes when hunting and especially hunting big and potentially dangerous game.
Even with cast bullets, if the bullet can handle it and maintain its nose profile, 1,400 is better than 1,200. Yes, recoil comes at a cost and this is why handgun hunting isn?t for everyone.
