For DG what is the optimal velocity per caliber per bullet weight for 375 caliber and up?
Things to consider: Penetration, Range, Recoil, Pressure.
It has been said, and I agree, that in 375 caliber 2500fps for 300 grain bullets is optimal. To raise the
Velocity to say….2900fps one would be much better off moving up to a larger caliber like 416.
Thoughts?

I think the Brits decided on 2350 for the 375 and 2150 for anything larger... almost a century ago!

So, do you think they got it right? And does it still hold true with the newer premium softs?

If you have been behind a 40 cal shooting 400 gr bullets, believe me you will believe that they had it about right.

I have two 40's and anything over 2300fps is memorable in the exteme.

I have use the 375 a lot, and it is great at anything from 2400 to 2600fps, with "just right" about 2500fps. Kudude

I would believe that the 2100 to 2150 fps that the British used was the best balance between penetration and bullet design of the time. Anything more and they would have too high a percentage of bullet failures. Even at 2100 they woiuld have solids squirt their cores and bend upon impact with bone. With todays bullets we don't have to worry about these problems. A large bore rifle can be loaded to much higher velocities allowing the shooter to take advantage of flatter trajectory and better overall range with their rifles. Velocity depends more upon the shooters ability to handle recoil with modern bullets.
Take care,
Dave

bullet design means soooooo much today. with flat nose solids the faster the better (within reason) with barnes x 2800 fps the petals come off not enough speed they dont open...

so... every bullet has a fiv functional impact velocity and a piv preffered impact velocity...go by those.

but rule of thumb...

375 300 gr 2500 fps (some say 2400)
416 400 gr bullets 2400 fps
458 500 gr 2300 fps
475 500 gr 2300 fps
510 500 gr 2150 or 2200 (2150 is classic velocity)

but add 200 more fps to all for more whomp!

I personally like a bullet to land at 2300fps or slightly better. largely irrelevant on elephants but velocity helps expand premium soft points and fold buff quicker and it is essential for cats.

Have a collection of mushroomed Barnes "super Solids" PMP mono'speer etc that landed on ele at too higher speed. Seen the speer AGS Tungsten corred solids come appart at speeds over 2500fps (.375's)

Originally posted by Ganyana

"Have a collection of mushroomed Barnes "super Solids" PMP mono'speer etc that landed on ele at too higher speed. Seen the speer AGS Tungsten corred solids come appart at speeds over 2500fps (.375's)"



Ganyana, I'd like to see a picture of those failed bullets if you have the time and can get them to post.

quote:

Originally posted by Berndorf:
So, do you think they got it right? And does it still hold true with the newer premium softs?

Yes, I think they have been proving they got it right since the invention of smokeless powder.

Re: premium softs - Yes, I believe it does hold true. The 470 NE for example seems to be more deadly today than it was in 1907.

i think we've covered this a couple times afor!!!

bullet larger than .366
SD of at or above .300
mv 2150 +

assumes good bullets and impacct vel to NOT be above the bullet's design (most woodleigh say MIPACT at or below 2300)

jeffe

Let me see if I got it straight.

2150 to 2300 feet per second impact speed.

Thanks for the info guys. Sorry to ask question that has been answered before, but I couldn't find it on the "search"

To evaluate the correctness of the responses to your question. Ask the responders how many of the Big Five they have shot or guided clients to shoot. Then listen to Ganyana. He has been there and done that and worn out the T-shirt he got in the process. What he states is not based on theory or books, but rather actually field experience killing large critters who stomp, bite, gore, claw and generally rearrange the human form.

Perry

PWN,

Before ranting about others' experience - or even lack of it - why not ask Ganyana how many of the big five he's shot with it?

JPK

I assume Ganyana's target of 2300fps at impact is with the 375, or 416.