I’ll admit, I do have a thing for smaller caliber cartridges…as long as they go fast. Velocity matters.
I know some like to take the big bullet side of the argument because big just sounds better to most folks. Velocity however can be very important. Velocity is why a .357 Magnum does more internal damage than a .38 Special. Velocity is why a .300 Win. Mag. can destroy more tissue than a .308 Winchester. Velocity – as has been said – kills.
Velocity also makes bullets work – deform / expand. Bullets that start out slow have a narrow velocity window to work within. Short barrels can rob them of the velocity they need to upset and damage tissues. Start handgun bullets fast and the velocity window gets larger and the result is that barrel length becomes less important.
Here’s another thing. When bullets impact liquified tissues they sort of splash because a liquid cannot be compressed. Ever toss a rock into a pond and see the little splash? Sure you have. Next time, throw one in the pond and observe how much larger the splash is. Velocity displaces and damages tissues.
“Small” is a relative term. With high velocity ammunition from Buffalo Bore, which is loaded with high performance bullets, small takes on an entirely new meaning.
