Caliber ballistics

[disturbed1]

okay, so...I have been researching on google about caliber balistics and still confused. Now, im not trying to go out and shoot grizzlies or anything but I want to use a grizzly or some other good comparisons for bullet data. I was told that a .45 acp wont do squat to a bear but a .44 magnum will. Or use a rifle such as a .308 magnum or 30-06. What confuses me is the .45 acp is a big round, so how is it that rounds smaller that it can do more damage. So, is it the fact that some rounds carry more powder thus going much faster than the .45 and what kills the bear is the penetration and not the wound size? How is it the 10mm is better for hunting than the .45acp? Also, the FN 57 has a very tiny but pointy round, how would this do against the bear?
Can some explain pro and cons or other technical data about:
1.9mm
2.10mm
3.45 acp fmj/jhp
4.44 magnum
5.38 special
6.308
7.30-06
8.454
9.fn 57 round
10. .223
11.5.56

[Fjold]

Energy = 1/2mass times velocity squared.

The 45ACP has a 230 grain bullet at about 850 fps and a 44 Mag will shoot a 300 grain bullet at 1350 fps.

The 44 mag will shoot a heavier bullet, much faster so it will penetrate deeper and deposit a lot more energy into the target.

The 454 Casull will shoot a 360 grain bullet at 1700 fps so that is another step up in power.

The disadvantage to more power is more recoil which usually results in less accuracy for the second and subsequent shots. So you have to balance the power of the round with the controllabillity of the gun under recoil.

In a dangerous game hunting situation, I've always been of the opinion that you should shoot the most powerful cartridge that you can shoot well.

[disturbed1]

ah, love that formula. Thank you Sir! Gonna use it.

[dieselpower]

Here's your problem now... thats in a mathematical equation. When a projectile hits soft and hard tissue, fur, under-coat, bone,...that goes right out the window.

The 7.62X39 has a crap-load more mass and energy than the 5.56x45...but guess which does more damage to tissue... you guessed it, the 5.56.

All 5.56? No. Some 5.56 will be worse than the 7.62. Fragmentation, and composition play just as big a role in damage as does velocity and mass.

So while 124gr JHP 9mm will tear the snot out of a persons chest, 147gr FMJ may just leave a nice small 9mm sized channel and exit the back. So velocity and mass work against you here.

[disturbed1]

aah great, not im confused again lol. so, you want just the right amount of mass and energy that it will penetrate just enough and slow enough not to exit. Does this mean that a bullet exiting through the other side is excessive and wasteful? I have a .45 1911. which is why im wondering about it against a grizzly. What is it about the .45 acp that it just plain tickles the bear and not knock him out. Also, wouldnt a head shot kill it? If you had to use a .45 acp type what would it be. JHP or FMJ? I really love the 1911 platform and I can get it in 10mm and 38 special. what is the better round for camping within .45 acp, 10mm, 38 special. Or, am I gonna have to buy a wheel gun?

[Fjold]

First of all the other poster was comparing differently construted bullets against each other that's why the resulat vary so much.

A medium sized bear of 300 Lbs or so is thick through the body so penetration is a necessity. To stop a bear in its tracks you want to disrupt the central nervous system and/or break big bones. Have you tried to hit a running bear in the head with a handgun? In an emergency you aim for the center of mass and keep lulling the trigger until the threat stops.

If I was shooting a 45 ACP I would be shooting a FMJ in as hot a load as you can find, in 10mm 180 grain fmjs and I think that you mean 38 Super not 38 special and neither would be a choice for bears.

[OldShooter32]

You can't argue with Newton -- 1/2 MV2 works no matter what, but some bullets work better for game than others. A Keith bullet (flat-nosed semi-wad cutter) will "let in lots of air and let out lots of blood" which is what one wants. A military full-metal jacket bullet will zip through since it doesn't expand, where a hollow or soft point will expend a lot of energy quickly as it hits. Terminal ballistics is a complex topic and you need a lot more info than we can post here.

[disturbed1]

maybe some links were I could do some research on this matter. I tried google and bing but got no where to be honest. Ok, so FMJ it is on my .45 acp. im going to make a list and use the formula you guys gave me and post them up here so anyone as curious as me can see as well.