Ballistic tip terminal effects

[Gimlet]

Went out with the .222 tonight and took a few rabbits with very different effects.

We all know how unpredictable the terminal effects of the HMR can be but I was surprised by the triple.

I'm using Federal V. Shok with 40 gr Nosler BTs. First rabbit was taken at 190 yds. I aimed square on the shoulder but struck a fraction high, perhaps 1/2". It took out the top of both shoulder blades, about 4" of spine including much of the neck and several ribs. The lungs were sucked out of the chest cavity but the heart stayed put. Ok, about what you'd expect from 600 ft/lb (at 200 yds) striking an animal as small as a rabbit.

 

Second rabbit was an opportunistic shot and very close for the triple at about 70 yds, but this is pest control so over it went. Its head being down it was a shoulder shot again. This time the bullet whistled straight through with little expansion. I could have eaten this one if it hadn't had mixy. Very little trauma and no broken bones, just a red hole like a 30 yd .22 LR.

 

Third one was about 130 yds. It was sitting up on its haunches facing me and it copped it square in the white patch. There was a terrific 'wump' and I expected to find the body cut in half, or inside out. But there wasn't a mark on it. I ran my hand all over it looking for blood,but nothing. All four legs and just about all other bones were broken but not a drop of blood, but the body was puffed up as if inflated.

I don't buy the idea that the energy from the shock of a near miss can kill, certainly not with small rounds, but this did look odd so I paunched and skinned it to see. Well I started paunching it. The guts were just paste, completely mashed. There was no exit wound and no major flesh damage. But I found the orange tip of the bullet and part of the jacket among the mess, so it was a fair strike.

 

Now I'm not complaining. The triple is a pest rifle pure and simple and its brilliant at it, fantastically accurate and easy to shoot. 200 yard rabbits are a point and shoot formality and 300 yarders pretty straight forward with a bit more care and concentration. Foxes just fold up.

But it just shows how varied the effects of BTs can be. Three of the same small species shot with the same rifle and round with completely different results.

Ammunition it seems is a constant education.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Gimlet

[cooter]

I found it's the same with all BT's and soft points.

If it hits a bone in the right way it expands otherwise the bullet can pass straight through.