Opinion needed

[Magicwolf]

We all know that if a rifle shoots at a high FPS,  that FPS will be reduced if we use a heavier grain pellet..Right..?  But a heavier grain pellet would also increase the FOOT POUNDS OF ENERGY.....Right....?  Okay so if everything I've said is true, (Correct me if it's not true),

In your opinion, what's more devistating or deadly to a rodent target, [the pellet with high FPS / low Foot pounds of Energy]  or the [slower heavier pellet with lower FPS / higher Foot pounds of Energy] ??
 

[Schmidty25]

okay short lesson on physics... Kinetic Energy = Mass X Velocity^2.  So to go to an extreme.  if your gun shot a pellet that weighs 10 grains at 1000 fps  that same gun shot a pellet at 20 grains at 700 fps, and it would shoot a 30 grain at 400 fps.  breaking it down the 10 grain at 1000 fps would have the most Kinetic Energy. 10 X10^2 = 1000     20 X7^2 = 980    30 X 4^2 = 480.....  Every gun has a different  pellet and weight that will get the most Energy out of the gun.  Now there are other things like momentum which is  Momentum = Mass X Velocity and going back into the numbers the 20 grain would have the most momentum.    

Here is an article on this as well.   http://personal.palouse.net/joeh/pages/BulletDebate.htm

[Magicwolf]

Hey, thanks that's a great article, kind of what I was looking for.......!

[daved]

Not quite that simple, Frank :-).  The faster, lighter pellet will have a flatter trajectory, and because it's faster, can frequently have a higher energy level, more fpe.  But it also tends to shed that energy quicker.  A slower, heavier pellet may have a lower initial fpe than the faster pellet, but at longer ranges, they frequently retain energy better.  So if the critters you're shooting tend to be at shorter ranges, say up to 30 yards, stick with the lighter pellet.  If you're doing long range stuff, 30-50 yards, the heavier pellet may be the better choice.  There's a great program called Chairgun, there's a link in our Library.  It's a free download, and is fantastic for doing "what-if" scenarios.  Chairgun and a chronograph can give you a really good handle on just what your gun and pellet of choice are doing.  Later.

Dave

[Magicwolf]

Thanks Dave, I did find that very helpful :-)

[Fritz]

Define "rodent", and at what particular distance?

If by rodent you mean mouse, and we can figure a mouse is a target usually taken under 10 yards? Then I would go for a pellet which has a flat (however short) trajectory, and a horrible BC. Wadcutters are perfect. They can help the overpenetration common on mice.

If by rodent you mean squirrel... then we can figure 15-50 yards. Squirrel is also a much more formidable target. I would use a hunter design for the higher BC, and penetration should I have an upper body shot. Please know, that I have stopped more squirrel with neck/throat/spinal cord shots than headshots. They are often exposed more and easier to hit, I also figure that a pellet through the major blood vessels in the neck will cause it to bleed to death in a matter of seconds. Not that a blood vessel shot is appropriate or humane, but because you will also hit the spinal cord- instant quadrapalegic critter!

[Magicwolf]

Rodent = rat @ 10-15 Yards