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7mm-08 Remington Knockdown Energy

Knockdown energy or killing power is an argument that has gone on for over 100 years. Fast small bullet vs large slow bullet? Both arguments can be won. My father was a Navy weapons specialist, a beat cop, and a security chief for the Department of Energy. When he retired for the second time, he live his dream and became a big game guide in Idaho. His formula was simple:

A. If shooting at humanoids (criminals), the energy of the bullet must be the same as the weight of the target at the distance it makes impact. This is why the 38 Special with 240 pounds of muzzle energy should be the minimum self defense handgun. This rule goes for handguns and rifles.

B. If shooting at wild big game animals or zombies on drugs, the energy at impact must be twice the weight of the target. A 357 Magnum with 535 pounds of energy should be the minimum zombie dispatch cartridge.

C. No rules work for big bears. If hunting large brown bears and grizzlies, carry the biggest caliber you can shoot (like a 458 Win Mag), and keep a 12 guage riot pump shotgun loaded with 00Buck on your other shoulder (just in case). The shotgun is a better backup plan than trying to run fast downhill or playing dead.

Dad has brainwashed me with this formula since I was a teen, and I have seen him win campfire arguments with his shooting expert buddies. If you look at the 7mm-08 and other calibers, this formula holds true.

Here is the maximum kill range at an 750 pound bull Elk using Dad's formula with good B.C. handloads producing 1,500 pounds of energy. Ask yourself, at what range will my bullet have 1,500 pounds of energy? Of course shot placement in the vitals is the most important.

30-30 Winchester 150gr = 90 yards
243 Winchester 100gr = 180 yards
270 Winchester 150gr = 410 yards
308 Winchester 150gr = 370 yards
30-06 Springfield 165gr = 400 yards
7mm-08 Remington 160gr = 410 yards
7mm Remington Mag 160gr = 500 yards
338 Winchester Mag 225gr = 540 yards

Now if you are hunting for a 1,250 pound moose, reduce your ELK range by about 200 yards to get the 2500 pounds of kill energy needed. Don't worry as moose don't scare easy and will let you get closer. However if you don't make a good shot, be prepared for the charge! Moose are mean and fearless creatures. Packing a 44 magnum with FMJ ammo on the hip is a good idea.
Some helpful information: moose can't climb trees.

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