@michael458
I have great respect for you as far as providing LOADS of great information on this forum about specific loads, and as an inventor of the B&M line of cartridges. I know you tout what you invent, and I see nothing wrong with that either. I also appreciate your sharing your actual hunting experiences. These are all extremely valuable to me as a reader.
Energy? Honestly, that is a useless number that really means very little in reality, sorry. Sectional Density..... Only a Factor at all, if ALL OTHER FACTORS are equal. In the case of Solid Terminal Penetration, there are 8 Known Absolute Factors, and SD is Last, Factor #8.
1. If energy is a "useless" number, then nearly every other writer on the subject including Boddington, Lott, Keith, nearly everyone, to a person, who could be named since gun writing came into existence, except you of course, has been completely wrong and should just stop writing, and we should all just listen to you.
2. I agree completely that the SD factor is only a factor "if ALL OTHER FACTORS are equal." It seems a rather obvious and useless statement, since it applies to all factors on this topic or any topic you could name.
3. Since penetration seems to be your preferred means on measurement, and since you love posting data, prove how "useless" energy is by taking any projectile you like, in any caliber you like, and vary only the energy, and compare penetration. SInce energy is a function of mass and velocity, you would need to do this in 2 parts to be completely scientific.
Part 1: Take an identical types of projectiles, vary only the mass, keeping the velocity constant, and see if penetration changes.
Part 2: Now take identical types of projectiles, vary only the velocity, and see if penetration changes.
4. Do the same with sectional density. Take an identical type of projectile, any projectile you prefer, and vary only the sectional density, and see is penetration changes. Since SD is a function of diameter and mass, this would need to be done in 2 parts also if you want to be thoroughly scientific.
Part 1: Take identical caliber bullets of the same type and vary only the weights, all other factors being equal, and see if weight's impact on SD changes penetration.
Part 2: Now take identical weight bullets of the same type, and vary only the caliber, all other factors being equal, and see if caliber's effect on SD changes penetration.
(You don't actually need to do any of this, we all know how it would turn out.)
In short, no factor is a factor unless all other factors are equal. Contrary to your assertions sir, energy and sectional density and every variable that could effect either are all crucial variables in penetration. Any of the tests above or below would be easy enough for you to do if you doubt it.
5. Where is your penetration comparison of a B&M 325gr 458 bullet at 2400fps compared to a BULLET OF IDENTICAL CONSTRUCTION a 458 Lott at 500gr and 2400fps? (you better have a long box to catch that 500gr monometal at 2400fps, it is going to be more than 52".) That would be a good SD comparison and energy comparison, all other factors being equal. Oh, you didn't do that one.
6. Where is your penetration comparison of identical types of bullets one at 400gr 416 bullet at 2150fps, another 400gr 458 bullet at 2150fps, and another 400gr 500 bullet at 2150fps. That would be another good SD test. Oh, you didn't do that one either.
(We all know how 5 and 6 would go also.)
You are a fine gentleman sir, and have done us all a great service by posting all the data you have here, and I for one appreciate that. You do yourself a great disservice by pretending that SD and ME are inconsequential numbers. This only harms your own credibility.