Quote:
Originally Posted by 6.8SPC_DUMP
Thanks for the challenging exercise. I’m not trying to sell the response as “right” to anyone – just wanted to answer
"Stopping power" is defined here as a projectile's ability to neutralize the threat posed by a target, immediately after it is hit, even if it is alive directly after impact.
Major factors that affect the "stopping power" of a projectile are its weight, velocity, length, diameter, external shape, internal shape and material composition.
Wound characteristics conducive to immediately neutralizing a target consist of penetration through the majority of the target and 360 degree expansion of the wound internally along its trajectory. This causes a higher chance of hitting a vital area, increased blood loss and shock from the internal disruption.
Though the factors are interdependent a projectiles velocity, external shape, internal shape, diameter and material composition are more important to creating "stretch cavity" than its weight and length. (far from sure about this)
“Stopping power” can not be represented in an exact figure, but the sum of observed results will show if it displays characteristics that are favorable to other projectiles; making “Stopping power” a general but valid characteristic. - Josh
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This is all irrelevant and secondary, or tertiary compared to shot placement, which is primarily the province of the shooter.
An inch can make all of the difference in the world between ineffective fire, stopped, and dead.
A .22LR in the right place is a reliable fight stopper, and a .50 BMG in the wrong place is not. I do not see 5.56, or even 9x19, as necessarily ineffective. Any bullet which can reliably penetrate to a vital area can be effective in the right hands.
The average person is better off with a small caliber weapon and a lot of good practice than the largest (or stoppingest) weapon, the best rated ammo, and no skills.
The state of mind and physical state of the target figure into this equation as well, to some degree.
You sound like you are well read on the gun rags.
To paraphrase an old gunfighter, power is fine, accuracy is final.
TR