Defining optimal weights for a given caliber for deer
It is my observation that most solid cast boolits overpenetrate on deer. The Lyman 358429 for example, even at 38 special + P velocities penetrates 28" of gel block. I've never recovered a Lyman 429421 from a gel block either. Even at 900 FPS it clears 28" of calibrated gelatin.
I have not tested (yet at least) lighter solid cast bullets on gel.
I was thinking that for .429 that the optimal weight would be around 225 grains. I would think that 148-158 would be ideal for .358. ~200 grains for .410. I was wondering if anyone else has shot gel or live medium game (deer) and and knows approximately how light is TOO light (where it fails to penetrate) with solid cast bullets.