Yeah not uncommon with cup and core at short ranges high velocity . years ago i called in a roe buck by kicking its rubbing off tree shot him broadside chest , with a 243 70 grain i think ( this was a long while ago). bullet dropped him great, the plastic tip was found on the inner pelt not a single trace of the bullet itself it must have broken up into a lead and copper dust . bullet was obviously traveling way faster than the norm at super cllose range. Lead just does not behave as predictable as todays copper
The only predictable thing about lead is the way in which it messes up the immune system. Currently reviewing some of data that supports a clinical trial. P53 proteins are produced naturally within cells. At a very simplistic level their job is catching hold of other odd proteins, in particular those in cancerous cells and getting them out of the body along with the usual waste from motabolism. Heavy metals, in particular lead prevent the p53 proteins from unfolding and catching hold of other rogue proteins. Zinc is an important part of p53 and this mechanism. Lead displaces the zinc.
Net result is that even very low levels lead in the blood and other tissues can stop p53 from working.
Using Chelation drugs to remove the lead and other heavy metals such as cadmium, allows the p53 to start working again. This approach has now being used as orphan drug in the US with chelation being used alongside chemotherapy in Leukaemias. The results are showing that vast majority of patients are showing no sign of the disease after several months.
The technology is now being focused on other aggressive diseases such as pancreatic and small cell lung cancers.
There is also a growing body of evidence on the roll of p53 in preventing degenerative disease such as alzheimers and Parkinson's, and there is a thesis that a similar approach may well have a beneficial action.
I appreciate that many in the world of shooting world enjoy the taste of lead marinated meat.
But regardless of any of the above, my experience with monolithic bullets is that are much better overall approach to creating a rifle bullet for killing game animals. You need to consider which bullet you will use and its velocity. You also need to put it a bit further forward so that it does hit some muscle to initiate expansion. They cut a good permanent wound channel and create a deep temporary wound channel that will right through the animal. And they stay in one piece minimising carcass damage.
In terms of cost, monolithics are more expensive than cup and core. Cup and cores are about 50p each. Monolithics about £1 to £1.50.
With my 243 using lead 100gn soft points I typically lost most of the shoulder meat, in particular the offside shoulder. Perhaps 2 or 3kg of venison.
Now with an 80gn Fox I just cut away the hole, loosing perhaps 500g.
Venison retails at upwards of £15 per kg in local butcher. Or another way - i am getting at least two extra meals for the family off one Roe buck.
