No .30 Carbine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal 110 gr Power-Shok JSP | 110 | not enough | 1,990 | 169 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr FTX | 110 | not enough | 2,000 | 181 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 110 gr Core-Lokt Soft Point | 110 | not enough | 1,990 | 170 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 110 gr Hollow Soft Point | 110 | not enough | 1,990 | 170 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 110 gr FMJ | 110 | wrong bullet | 1,990 | 169 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington UMC Centerfire Rifle 110 gr Full Metal Jacket | 110 | wrong bullet | 1,990 | 170 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester USA 110 gr Full Metal Jacket | 110 | wrong bullet | 1,990 | 182 | 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.