In 2008-2009 I killed 8 mule deer with 270 130 gr Ballistic tip between 329 and 510 yards. Terminal velocity was ~ 2000 fps. Half were bang flop and half were run 50 feet and fall down dead.
In 2010 I killed 3 mule deer with 7mm 180 gr VLD hunting at 300- 400 yards. Terminal velocity was ~ 2500 fps. All were bang flop.
The partition bullets are ~20 inch penetration independent of velocity.
The standard deer bullets are ~14 inch penetration independent of velocity.
I tend to go for a double lung shot with the standard bullets at very long range, and my hunting partners tend to go for the front shoulder with partition bullets at very close.
In 2010 I killed 3 mule deer with 7mm 180 gr VLD hunting at 300- 400 yards. Terminal velocity was ~ 2500 fps. All were bang flop.
The partition bullets are ~20 inch penetration independent of velocity.
The standard deer bullets are ~14 inch penetration independent of velocity.
I tend to go for a double lung shot with the standard bullets at very long range, and my hunting partners tend to go for the front shoulder with partition bullets at very close.