[sneakypete]

the only way to increase bullet effectiveness is to increase the severity of the wound by increasing the size of hole made by the bullet.

This can't be repeated too often. It's the reason my normal daily carry piece is a 3inch 5-shot 44 Special with either 200gr WW Silvertip hollow-points,or handloads with wadcutters. The ONLY place I disagree with the quoted study is that a large diameter bullet at even moderate velocity can penetrate deep enough and still have enough "mass" to break a spine,ending the assault on you. This is just nitpicking,though. The head is a MUCH easier target to hit than the spine.

BTW,don't waste your time trying to give me grief about the handloads because some rent-a-cop preaches against them. I've heard and read all the arguements,and concluded I know more than he does. If you don't like that,tell it to somebody who cares,and be happy following his advise. I'm not trying to sell you any books or videos,and I don't care.

[nomorecameljocks]

Seems I recall from the past Strasboug goat tests(staked goats were shot in the lungs with various handgun loads and time to fall were measured. Lots of dead goats-PETA loved this test)that the fastest, hence best load tested was a 125 gr. JHP out of a .357 mag, velocity unknown. It stopped better than any 44 mag or 45 ACP load tested. In contrast, the 38 spl. 158 gr lead round nose frequently carried in the past by many police departments and still carried by those who are politically correct, only bothered the goat slightly and he went back to grazing for quite a while.