Since this has gotten away from my initial question, how about some facts? You have to match the bullet weight/construction to the game size/distance it is being shot at.
Hydrostatic shock sends shockwaves through the animal to the nervous center, it eliminates the electrical impulses. This doesn’t kill the animal, it “knocks them out” and internally they bleed out from the bullet wound. Hydrostatic shock lessens on smaller bore to .338, once velocity dips to or below 2600 fps on medium game animals. Larger bore can occur as slow as 2200 fps. Using to light of a bullet with to high velocity can cause the bullet to not penetrate, or using to light of bullet wont transfer enough energy to cause hydrostatic shock. Using a bullet that is too heavy for intended game will fail to cause hydrostatic shock, because it fails to meet resistance to impart energy where required. In the later instance, look at 30 caliber with 180 grain bullet, probably won’t cause hydrostatic shock on med size game where a 155-165 will have a better chance. Or a different bullet selection to a fast expanding bullet design will help out.
This is where larger caliber bullets shine. The larger diameter the bullet the less need for high velocity to create hydrostatic shock. But the same as the smaller faster bullets, bullet construction/shape takes into effect the energy transfer. Round nose bullets will transfer more energy at impact then spire point soft tail, due to more surface area upon impact.
Hydrostatic shock is one of the fastest ways to kill an animal. It places them in a coma type state while they bleed out internally. A med size animal has a better chance of running further before dying from a 30 cal 180 bullet like a bonded bullet rather than a faster expanding bullet like a sst or similar design.
Hydraulic shock, this is what creates the temporary wound channel. Its caused by the pressure of accelerated water particles. It is effected by velocity just like hydrostatic shock. The more the bullet expands or sheds its weight creating a cluster of fragments to create a wide internal wound channel to increase blood loss. This causes a disproportionate to caliber wound channel. As velocity slows the wound channel becomes proportionate to caliber.
So in conclusion light and stout or heavy and soft usually yield best results. But both have their limits on game hunting as well as distance.
