Sectional density is VERY important! To deny it is to deny that diverse bullet weights for a given caliber have little or no effect on energy, momentum or penetration, because those three are subject to bullet weight which directly determines sectional density for a given caliber. More than that, ballistic coefficient is also directly related to bullet weight in a given caliber.

BUT, let's NOT compare cucumbers to tomatoes here (even though they are great together in a salad!). To be fair and honest, we must compare bullets of equal sectional densities that have the same construction AND velocity! It does NO good to compare FN with RN, or softs with solids, or hardcast with monolithics! That's being deceitful, or dumb, to try to garner points in that way. For example: to show that sectional density is meaningful in penetration, we must compare a 450gr Barnes Banded in .458" at max pressure with a 500gr Barnes Banded in .458" at max pressure. At the same velocity is meaningless, in this scenario, as that would slow the 450 down to the level of the 500, so it would not be at max velocity due to not being at max pressure. That's only one example. There are thousands that could be presented where sectional density is very meaningful in terminal ballistics.

But, for instance, to compare the penetration of 450gr TSX at normal MV with a 450gr Banded, at normal velocity, when both have identical sectional densities makes no sense, when we already know which one will win that penetration contest. Or, to compare at 180gr TSX in .30-cal at 3000 fps with a 500gr solid in .458" with a FN at 2200 fps, into an elephant.... ???? A good discussion over what makes a good salad would no doubt be more appetizing!

Bob

www.bigbores.ca