Finally a topic I have a bit of understanding with ,,, Colts 45 auto and woodchucks ... Yup them buggers are mean when they charge but from my work to eradicate them from my small farm I have used ,22 rim fires , 38's , 9 mm , and my favorite 45 Colt auto .... I find no differance in any of them due to shot placement ....... Head / heart/lung shots only .... For added fun I load 148 gr sofe lead round balls in my cases for a light short range load it keeps the noise down is effective at 25 yards and under with limited flight range if it bounces ...but I make sure of my back stops at all time and have not and will not take unsafe shoots .
Bill g.

Tech...Next time out try the 9mm CorBon 115 gr. JHP on the mellons instead of the Gold Dots and I think you will see a change in the way that they explode. The CorBon runs 100-200 fps faster than the GD and the CorBon uses the Sierra JHP that is a lot more fragile than the Gold Dot. Which is the better "stopper"....on mellons it is probably going to be the round with the highest velocity and fastest expanding bullet...on two and four legged varmints it may be something else....Bob