BALLISTICS

The following table lists cartridges, sorted by caliber.  For hunting purposes, high sectional density coupled with momentum are the best indicators of penetration, therefore lethality.  This assumes proper bullet performance, most reliably delivered by premium bullets. 

Well established cartridges should be used as benchmarks; cartridges should be considered by class and matched to the intended quarry.

Although kinetic energy ("KE", measured in ft/lbs) is often used to assess cartridge performance, momentum is the better gauge.  KE greatly exaggerates the impact of minor velocity changes because it is calculated by squaring velocity.  Momentum is calculated by simply multiplying bullet weight by velocity (expressed in ten-thousandths); momentum is a better comparison between  two cartridges as it simply considers weight and speed (as opposed to KE's speed squared).  For dangerous game, the Taylor Knock Out value adds consideration for diameter, critical when hunting dangerous game --heavy bullets with large frontal area at moderate velocity have long been the recipe for effective stopping cartridges. 

Click here to see the formulas used to calculate power.

Click here to view a ranking of the cartridges' power.

                --currently being updated to add Empire's new chamberings--

	PHYSICAL DATA				POWER
CARTRIDGE	Diameter	Bullet Weight	SD	Velocity @ Muzzle	Kinetic Energy (ft-lbs)	Momentum	Taylor Knock Out
25.06 Rem	0.257	100	0.216	3,230	2,316	32.30	11.86
25.06 Rem	0.257	120	0.260	2,940	2,303	35.28	12.95
257 Roberts	0.257	100	0.216	3,000	1,998	30.00	11.01
257 Roberts	0.257	120	0.260	2,645	1,864	31.74	11.65
257 Weath	0.257	100	0.216	3,602	2,881	36.02	13.22
257 Weath	0.257	120	0.260	3,305	2,910	39.66	14.56
260 Rem	0.264	120	0.246	2,890	2,225	34.68	13.08
260 Rem	0.264	140	0.287	2,750	2,351	38.50	14.52
264 Win Mag	0.264	140	0.287	3,030	2,854	42.42	16.00
264 Win Mag	0.264	160	0.328	2,700	2,590	43.20	16.29
6.5X55 Mauser	0.264	140	0.287	2,651	2,184	37.11	14.00
6.5X55 Mauser	0.264	160	0.328	2,600	2,401	41.60	15.69
270 Weath	0.277	130	0.242	3,375	3,288	43.88	17.36
270 Weath	0.277	150	0.279	3,245	3,507	48.68	19.26
270 Win	0.277	130	0.242	3,060	2,703	39.78	15.74
270 Win	0.277	150	0.279	2,850	2,705	42.75	16.92
270 WSM	0.277	130	0.242	3,275	3,096	42.58	16.85
270 WSM	0.277	150	0.279	3,120	3,242	46.80	18.52
280 Rem	0.284	140	0.248	3,050	2,892	42.70	17.32
280 Rem	0.284	165	0.292	2,820	2,913	46.53	18.88
7 X 57	0.284	140	0.248	2,660	2,199	37.24	15.11
7 X 57	0.284	175	0.310	2,440	2,313	42.70	17.32
7 X 64 Bren	0.284	160	0.283	2,900	2,988	46.40	18.83
7 X 64 Bren	0.284	175	0.310	2,760	2,960	48.30	19.60
7mm Rem Mag	0.284	160	0.283	2,950	3,091	47.20	19.15
7mm Rem Mag	0.284	175	0.310	2,860	3,178	50.05	20.31
7mm RSAUM	0.284	140	0.248	3,175	3,133	44.45	18.03
7mm RSAUM	0.284	160	0.283	2,960	3,112	47.36	19.21
7mm RUM	0.284	140	0.248	3,425	3,646	47.95	19.45
7mm RUM	0.284	160	0.283	3,200	3,638	51.20	20.77
7mm STW	0.284	140	0.248	3,450	3,700	48.30	19.60
7mm STW	0.284	160	0.283	3,250