Killing Formulas / How much is enough?

[kmittleman]

Hey folks,


I'm planning on picking up a Ruger BH in .41 mag in a month or so. I reload and plan on working up some loads for whitetail and hogs. However, I keep wondering, "How much is enough"? I've read through and tried out numerous killing formulas only to be told that they're imperfect and inaccurate. Well, that makes sense. Also, everyone tells me that, "it's all about bullet placement". Ok, I agree. However, in the same breath I'll be told that such and such caliber / load (ie. .357 mag in a handgun) is "marginal" for hunting. I've hunted with shotguns, muzzleloaders, rifles, and crossbows, but not handguns.

My question is, how do I know if my load will be reasonable for deer and hogs? My plan is to shoot no further than 50yds and hopefully have enough power that I can shoot broadside, quartering away/to, etc.

Any advice? Any ballpark numbers I can look at?


-Kevin

[BRL]

There will be a lot of wiggle room here with people's thoughts, I'm sure. Based on everything that I have read, due to the fact that I am wanting to take up handgun hunting for hogs/deer too with .41 and .44, something along the lines of 900 feet per second of IMPACT velocity (at whatever distance) with 210 grain, .41 bullet or better is a good starting point.

[john keyes]

you are getting a new gun and its important to build up confidence.  you won't hurt that Blackhawk so shoot the heck out of it and find a load that you like and feel like you can put it where you need to when the time comes no matter what the temperature and the conditions are. You might be numb and cold from waiting for that shot, and your response needs to be instinctive and something that you can do subconciously w/o thinking about it.

 Personally, I won't take a quartering to shot.

As for the load, there will be a powder and bullet that the gun likes and will let you know, be it cast or jacketed.  Whether its mild or has a 3 ft ball of fire, if you put it through the boiler room at 50 yds, you'll need a tag and a sharp knife.

[Mohawk]

John has a good point. Each gun has a personality among itself. I have Smiths of the same model that like and hate different things and a Taurus that only likes 110 gr stuff, don't matter what brand or velocity. Just NEVER sacrifice accuracy for power within reason.

[cwlongshot]

I thought I had posted here.... 

Then I realized this must be a duplicate post in a different area....

CW