LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-08 AT 05:54AM (MST)[p]Foot lbs of energy is only one thing to look at. It doesn't tell the whole story. I just think that 95-100 grains is the absolute minimum lead to throw at a deer sized animal, especially a big mulie.
Ft lbs is ONLY a mathmatical formula and DOES NOT always translate into KNOCK DOWN power. It squares the velocity, always making the faster bullet look better, but speed isn't everything. You could theoretically make a 25 gr bullet go fast enough to look good too, but I wouldn't use one. The 80 grain 243 load may very well have more ft. lbs than a 45-70 due to its speed, but the 45-70 has lots more knock down.
If I were using the 80 gr, I would limit my shots to 100 yards. But then I would limit my shots with the 100 grain to 200.
Someone mentioned the nosler partition. I see that Federal makes a 100 grain with the nosler. That would be hard to beat too.
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)