No .25-20 Win factory load we have sourced carries 1,000 ft·lb for whitetail deer past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington 86 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 86 | not enough | 1,460 | 119 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 86 gr Jacketed Soft Point | 86 | not enough | 1,460 | 120 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.