I don't have much faith in killing power formulas in general. Most such formulas are obviously designed to reinforce someone's pre-conceived notions. As a result, these "killing power," "stopping power," "knock out" (or whatever they may be called) formulas typically disregard factors that are detrimental to their case.

I was curious to see what the results would look like if I included the most obvious, easily quantifiable, factors in a simple killing power formula. These factors are velocity, energy, bullet weight, sectional density (SD) and bullet cross-sectional area. Upon reflection I realized that since velocity is already the most important factor in calculating kinetic energy, it would not be necessary to incorporate it separately.

This left the factors of energy, bullet weight, SD and cross-sectional area. Then I received an e-mail from Ole Swang, who is a mathematician, and he pointed out that sectional density and frontal area equal bullet weight. By including bullet weight separately I was, essentially, squaring its value, so I eliminated bullet weight. (Remember that it is actually present in the remaining factors.) That left the numbers for energy, SD and cross-sectional area with which to work.

I am no mathematician; I am hopeless at algebra and I can barely run a calculator. Therefore, whatever I attempted in the way of calculations would have to be simple. The KISS principle at work.

After playing around with the energy, SD and area numbers on my hand calculator, I found that if I took energy at 100 yards and multiplied it by sectional density (a fractional number) and cross-sectional area (also a fractional number), the result was a manageable two or three digit number, which I then rounded off to one decimal place. Ergo, the G&S Online killing power score (KPS).

Why, you may ask, did I choose energy at 100 yards instead of at the muzzle, or 200 yards, or someplace else? The answer is that I figured that most Class 2 to Class 4 game is probably killed between 50 and 150 yards. 100 yards is right in the middle of that spread and energy at 100 yards is included in most ballistics tables, so it's an easy number to use. If you want to compare the killing power of cartridges at some other distance, just plug-in the energy figures for that distance and work the equation.

(For our metric readers, 100 meters is only slightly longer than 100 yards, so for all practical purposes the same killing power results will apply at 100 meters as well as 100 yards.)

Here is the formula:

Energy (in foot pounds) x Sectional Density (taken from reloading manuals) x cross-sectional Area (in square inches) = Killing Power Score

E x SD x A = KPS

I am convinced that the most important factor in killing power, by far, is bullet placement. The second most important factor is probably bullet terminal performance (the area of the wound channel created by the bullet). The third most important factor is probably the physical and mental state of the game animal in question at the moment it is shot. (As most experienced hunters have observed, even a well hit animal can run a long way on a full charge of adrenaline.) This formula takes into account none of those factors. Unfortunately, those key factors are not quantifiable, at least by me.

Thus, as the basis of this exercise in futility, I am assuming that the hunter knows how to shoot, where to put the bullet and that the bullet is appropriate for the game and conditions. Honestly, if you don't know where to aim, or can't hit your target, or have chosen an inappropriate bullet for your intended purpose, the theoretical killing power of your rifle becomes a moot point.

I will say that after I had initially calculated the results for a number of common rifle cartridges using the formula above, I was encouraged. The results seemed reasonable in light of my personal research and experience.

I do, for example, think the .25-35/117 grain load is close to the minimum practical 100 yard deer cartridge. I also think the high intensity .24 and .25 caliber cartridges (.243 Win., 6mm Rem., .250 Savage and .257 Roberts) are all far superior to any .22 caliber cartridge for hunting Class 2 game and the .257 Roberts is the best of the group, although there is not a great deal of difference between them.

Further, I would argue the .30-30/150 grain load is an effective 100 yard deer and black bear cartridge, superior to the standard .24s and .25s at this range. For shooting the largest hoofed game, I would rate the .338 Win. Mag. superior in killing power to the .325 WSM, and I would have to say the .375 H&H is even deadlier than the .338 Mag.

I think most experienced and unbiased big game hunters would agree with these statements and, fortunately, the killing power scores calculated by the formula above tend to verify those assertions. (Note that I did NOT gerrymander the equation to get my preferred results.) Although undoubtedly not perfect, these killing power scores generally seem to have a positive correlation with reality. This alone makes them more useful than most!

Remember that these scores are the result of an attempt to apply a simple formula to a complex problem and irregularities are bound to result. In any case, these are just scores derived by an arbitrary formula.

Unlike the creators of "pounds-feet," "impulse energy," "hydro-static shock" and other pseudo scientific terms, I want it to be understood that these killing power scores do not represent any scientific quantity or unit of measurement. Use them as an indicator, or for comparing cartridges and loads, but do not attempt to make them into some sort of killing power dogma.

List of cartridges and loads:

The list that follows is intended to suggest the relative killing power of various hunting cartridges and loads at 100 yards when those cartridges are used appropriately. Reduced recoil factory loads are marked "Light."

(cartridge, bullet weight in grains, muzzle velocity in feet per second - killing power score at 100 yards.)

.223 Remington (60 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 6.3
.223 Remington (64 grain at MV 3020 fps) - 7.2
.223 Remington (68 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 8.4
.223 Remington (75 grain at MV 2790 fps) - 9.2

.22-250 Remington (55 grain at MV 3680 fps) - 8.0
.22-250 Remington (64 grain at MV 3500 fps) - 9.7

.223 WSSM (64 grain at MV 3600 fps) - 10.1

.220 Swift (55 grain at MV 3680 fps) - 8.0
.220 Swift (64 grain at MV 3600 fps) - 10.1

.224 TTH (64 grain at MV 3600 fps) - 10.1

.243 Winchester (87 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 15.2
.243 Winchester (95 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 18.3
.243 Winchester (100 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 18.1

6mm Remington (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

.243 WSSM (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

6mm Creedmoor (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

6mm-284 (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

6x62 Freres (100 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 20.2

.240 Weatherby Magnum (100 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 20.2
.240 Weatherby Magnum (100 grain at MV 3406 fps) - 24.5

.25-20 Winchester (86 grain at MV 1460 fps) - 2.6

.25 Remington (117 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 12.0
.25 Remington (117 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 13.3

.25-35 Winchester (110 grain at MV 2425 fps) - 14.4
.25-35 Winchester (117 grain at MV 2230 fps) - 11.9
.25-35 Winchester (117 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 13.3

.250 Savage (87 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 13.8
.250 Savage (100 grain at MV 2820 fps) - 15.1

.257 Roberts (100 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 17.4
.257 Roberts +P (115 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 22.3
.257 Roberts +P (117 grain at MV 2650 fps) - 17.9
.257 Roberts +P (120 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 22.0

.25 WSSM (115 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 26.7

.25-06 Remington (115 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 26.7
.25-06 Remington (120 grain at MV 2990 fps) - 26.5

.257 Weatherby Magnum (115 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 29.4
.257 Weatherby Magnum (120 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 29.3
.257 Weatherby Magnum (120 grain at MV 3305 fps) - 33.4

6.5mm Grendel (100 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 18.2
6.5mm Grendel (120 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 18.7
6.5mm Grendel (123 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 19.8
6.5mm Grendel (123 grain at MV 2580 fps) - 25.3
6.5mm Grendel (129 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 23.8

6.5x55 SE (120 grain at MV 2890 fps) - 28.0
6.5x55 SE (140 grain at MV MV 2550 fps) - 27.0
6.5x55 SE (140 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 29.5
6.5x55 SE (140 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 30.7
6.5x55 SE (160 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.9

6.5mm Creedmoor (140 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 30.7

.260 Remington (Light) (140 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 23.0
.260 Remington (140 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 31.6
.260 Remington (160 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.9

6.5x57 (140 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 30.7

6.5mm-284 Norma (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

6.5mm-06 (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

6.5mm PRC (143 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 40.1

6.5mm Remington Magnum (120 grain at MV 3210 fps) - 30.2
6.5mm Remington Magnum (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6
6.5mm Remington Magnum (142 grain at MV 2997 fps) - 41.1

6.5x68 S (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

.264 Winchester Magnum (140 grain at MV 3030 fps) - 37.8

.26 Nosler (140 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 46.9

6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum (140 grain at MV 3395 fps) - 47.6

6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 grain at MV 2625 fps) - 17.9
6.8mm Rem. SPC (120 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 18.1

.270 Winchester (Light) (115 grain at MV 2710 fps) - 19.2
.270 Winchester (Light) (120 grain at MV 2675 fps) - 21.6
.270 Winchester (130 grain at MV 3150 fps) - 35.0
.270 Winchester (140 grain at MV 2950 fps) - 37.0
.270 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 37.4

.270 WSM (140 grain at MV 3125 fps) - 40.1

.270 Weatherby Magnum (130 grain at MV 3280 fps) - 37.9
.270 Weatherby Magnum (140 grain at MV 3320 fps) - 47.4
.270 Weatherby Magnum (150 grain at MV 3245 fps) - 51.4

7x57 Mauser (139 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 31.7
7x57 Mauser (140 grain at MV 2660 fps) - 29.0

7mm-08 Remington (Light) (120 grain at MV 2675 fps) - 21.3
7mm-08 Remington (Light) (140 grain at MV 2361 fps) - 22.6
7mm-08 Remington (140 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 33.6

.280 Remington (140 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 37.1

.284 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 38.2

.280 Ackley Improved (150 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 41.3

7mm Remington SAUM (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8

7mm WSM (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8

7mm Remington Magnum (Light) (139 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 32.8
7mm Remington Magnum (139 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 39.1
7mm Remington Magnum (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8
7mm Remington Magnum (154 grain at MV 3035 fps) - 46.8
7mm Remington Magnum (175 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 53.3

7mm STW (140 grain at MV 3325 fps) - 44.5

7mm Weatherby Magnum (154 grain at MV 3260 fps) - 55.3
7mm Weatherby Magnum (175 grain at MV 3070 fps) - 62.4

7mm Remington Ultra Mag (154 grain at MV 3260 fps) - 55.3

.28 Nosler (160 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 61.7

.30 Carbine (110 grain at MV 1990 fps) - 7.4

.300 Blackout (110 grain at MV 2350 fps) - 13.1
.300 Blackout (125 grain at MV 2175 fps) - 14.5
.300 Blackout (135 grain at MV 2085 fps) - 14.9

.30 Remington (150 grain at MV 2250 fps) - 18.8

.30-30 Winchester (Light) (125 grain at MV 2175 fps) - 12.9
.30-30 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2390 fps) - 22.8
.30-30 Winchester (160 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 29.5
.30-30 Winchester (170 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 25.4

.30-40 Krag (180 grain at MV 2430 fps) - 39.7

.307 Winchester (170 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.7

.308 Marlin Express (150 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 30.0
.308 Marlin Express (160 grain at MV 2660 fps) - 37.9
.308 Marlin Express (170 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.7

.300 Savage (150 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 30.0

.30 T/C (150 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 43.1
.30 T/C (165 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 47.3

.308 Winchester (Light) (125 grain at 2675 fps) - 22.2
.308 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2820 fps) - 34.7
.308 Winchester (150 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 43.1
.308 Winchester (165 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 42.8
.308 Winchester (165 grain at MV 2870 fps) - 47.8
.308 Winchester (180 grain at MV 2620 fps) - 46.2
.308 Winchester (180 grain at MV 2740 fps) - 52.5
.308 Winchester (200 grain at MV 2461 fps) - 48.9

.30-06 Springfield (Light) (125 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 22.6
.30-06 Springfield (150 grain at MV 2920 fps) - 37.3
.30-06 Springfield (150 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 43.1
.30-06 Springfield (150 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 45.9
.30-06 Springfield (165 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 47.3
.30-06 Springfield (180 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 49.2
.30-06 Springfield (180 grain at MV 2880 fps) - 58.1
.30-06 Springfield (220 grain at MV 2410 fps) - 54.6

.300 RCM (180 grain at MV 2880 fps) - 58.1

.300 Remington SAUM (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2
.300 Remington SAUM (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.300 WSM (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2
.300 WSM (165 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 56.0
.300 WSM (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.300 H&H Magnum (180 grain at MV 2880 fps) - 55.5
.300 H&H Magnum (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5
.300 H&H Magnum (220 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 69.8

.308 Norma Magnum (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2
.308 Norma Magnum (165 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 56.0
.308 Norma Magnum (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5
.308 Norma Magnum (220 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 69.8

.300 Winchester Magnum (Light) (150 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 37.4
.300 Winchester Magnum (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2
.300 Winchester Magnum (165 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 56.0
.300 Winchester Magnum (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5
.300 Winchester Magnum (220 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 69.8

.30 Nosler (180 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 72.8

.300 Weatherby Magnum (165 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 63.6
.300 Weatherby Magnum (180 grain at MV 3240 fps) - 72.8
.300 Weatherby Magnum (220 grain at MV 2845 fps) - 77.9

.300 Remington Ultra Mag (Light) (150 grain at MV 2815 fps) - 35.8
.300 Remington Ultra Mag (180 grain at MV 3240 fps) - 72.8
.300 Remington Ultra Mag (220 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 87.0

.30-378 Weatherby Magnum (180 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 76.3
.30-378 Weatherby Magnum (220 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 87.0

7.62x39 Soviet (123 grain at MV 2365 fps) - 15.7

.303 Savage (180 grain at MV 2370 fps) - 37.6

.303 British (150 grain at MV 2685 fps) - 33.2
.303 British (180 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 40.1

7.62x54R (180 grain at MV 2580 fps) - 46.6

.32-20 Winchester (100 grain at MV 1210 fps) - 2.6
.32-20 Winchester (100 grain at MV 1290 fps) - 2.8

.327 Federal Magnum (Rifle) (100 grain at MV 2000 fps) - 6.2

.32 Remington (170 grain at MV 2250 fps) - 25.4

.32 Winchester Special (165 grain at MV 2410 fps) - 31.5
.32 Winchester Special (170 grain at MV 2250 fps) - 25.4

8x57 JS Mauser (195 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 52.0

.325 WSM (180 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 65.3
.325 WSM (200 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 64.2
.325 WSM (200 grain at MV 2950 fps) - 75.6
.325 WSM (220 grain at MV 2840 fps) - 81.7

8mm Remington Magnum (200 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 68.5

.338x57 O'Connor (200 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 39.7

.338 Marlin Express (200 grain at MV 2565 fps) - 55.6

.338 Federal (200 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 39.7
.338 Federal (210 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 63.9

.338-06 A Square (200 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 64.9
.338-06 A Square (225 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 77.3
.338-06 A Square (250 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 87.9

.338 RCM (200 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 64.9
.338 RCM (225 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 77.3

.338 Winchester Magnum (200 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 70.3
.338 Winchester Magnum (225 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 87.4
.338 Winchester Magnum (250 grain at MV 2650 fps) - 94.8

.338 Lapua (250 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 112.4

.338 Remington Ultra Mag (250 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 117.3

.340 Weatherby Magnum (250 grain at MV 2963 fps) - 117.4

.338-378 Weatherby Magnum (250 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 127.1

.357 Magnum (Rifle) (158 grain at MV 1830 fps) - 12.7
.357 Magnum (Rifle) (180 grain at MV 1550 fps) - 9.5

.35 Remington (150 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 19.8
.35 Remington (200 grain at MV 2080 fps) - 28.7
.35 Remington (200 grain at MV 2225 fps) - 38.4

.356 Winchester (200 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 44.6

.358 Winchester (200 grain at MV 2490 fps) - 47.0
.358 Winchester (220 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 49.4
.358 Winchester (250 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 67.8

.35 Whelen (200 at MV 2675 fps) - 56.4
.35 Whelen (225 grain at MV 2600 fps) - 72.8
.35 Whelen (250 at MV 2400 fps) - 76.7

.350 Remington Magnum (200 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 56.9
.350 Remington Magnum (200 grain at MV 2770 fps) - 60.9
.350 Remington Magnum (225 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 69.9
.350 Remington Magnum (225 grain at MV 2600 fps) - 72.8
.350 Remington Magnum (225 grain at MV 2640 fps) - 75.1
.350 Remington Magnum (225 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 78.7
.350 Remington Magnum (250 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 76.7
.350 Remington Magnum (250 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 80.7

9.3x62 (250 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 89.8
9.3x62 (270 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 92.8
9.3x62 (286 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 88.2

9.3x74R (250 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 89.8
9.3x74R (286 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 88.2

.375 Winchester (220 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 40.9

.375 H&H Flanged (300 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 107.7

.375 Ruger (270 grain at MV 2690 fps) - 106.2
.375 Ruger (300 grain at MV 2530 fps) - 113.0

.375 H&H Magnum (270 grain at MV 2690 fps) - 106.2
.375 H&H Magnum (300 grain at MV 2530 fps) - 113.0

.375 Remington Ultra Mag (300 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 142.9

.375 Weatherby Magnum (300 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 148.4

.376 Steyr (270 grain at MV 2600 fps) - 102.0

.378 Weatherby Magnum (300 grain at MV 2925 fps) - 150.5

.38-40 Winchester (180 grain at MV 1160 fps) - 8.0

.38-55 Winchester (220 grain at MV 1600 fps) - 21.2
.38-55 Winchester (255 grain at MV 1320 fps) - 22.7
.38-55 Winchester (255 grain at MV 1830 fps) - 42.5
.38-55 Winchester +P (255 grain at MV 1950 fps) - 61.5

.450/400 NE 3" (400 grain at MV 2050 fps) - 131.3

.404 Jeffery (400 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 205.1

.405 Winchester (300 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 70.7

.41 Remington Magnum (Rifle) (210 grain at MV 1830 fps) - 27.7

.416 Remington Magnum (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.416 Ruger (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.416 Rigby (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.416 Weatherby Magnum (400 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 232.7

.44-40 Winchester (200 grain at MV 1190 fps) - 10.1
.44-40 Winchester (200 grain at MV 1310 fps) - 11.0
.44-40 Winchester HV (200 grain at MV 1800 fps) - 20.0

.44 Remington Magnum (Rifle) (240 grain at MV 1760 fps) - 26.4
.44 Remington Magnum (Rifle) (275 grain at MV 1580 fps) - 31.2

.444 Marlin (240 grain at MV 2350 fps) - 46.9
.444 Marlin (265 grain at MV 2325 fps) - 63.4
.444 Marlin (265 grain at MV 2325 fps) - 67.7
.444 Marlin (300 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 74.9

.450 Bushmaster (250 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 52.4

.45-70 Government (300 grain at MV 1810 fps) - 50.1
.45-70 Government (325 grain at MV 2050 fps) - 78.5
.45-70 Government (405 grain at MV 1330 fps) - 55.0

.45-70 Government +P (350 grain at MV 2100 fps) - 88.9

.450 Marlin (325 grain at MV 2225 fps) - 93.5
.450 Marlin (350 grain at MV 2100 fps) - 88.9

.450 NE 3-1/4" (500 grain at MV 2140 fps) - 220.4

.458 Winchester Magnum (350 grain at MV 2100 fps) - 88.9
.458 Winchester Magnum (400 grain at MV 2050 fps) - 124.1
.458 Winchester Magnum (500 grain at MV 2090 fps) - 217.3
.458 Winchester Magnum (500 grain at MV 2140 fps) - 220.4

.458 Lott (500 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 228.5

.450 Rigby (500 grain at MV 2350 fps) - 285.3

.460 Weatherby Magnum (500 grain at MV 2600 fps) - 332.3

.470 NE (500 grain at MV 2150 fps) - 220.9

Post Script: A couple of months after writing this article I chanced on a reference to John Wooter's "lethality-factor index formula," of which I was not previously aware. The "L" formula apparently multiplies kinetic energy (in ft. lbs.) x sectional density x bullet diameter (in inches). Thus it incorporates two of the three factors I adopted for my Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula and makes a nod in the direction of the third. (Apparently great minds think alike!)

I did a Google search and was able to discover that Mr. Wooters published his formula in the Jan 1996 issue of Peterson's Hunting magazine. I was not able to discover if the "L" formula was intended to be applied to handgun or rifle cartridges, or both, and I have not been able to locate a copy of the original article.

The difference between the two formulas seems to be that Wooters' chose to include bullet diameter as his third criteria, which has the advantage of being obvious, while I chose to use cross-sectional area, which must be computed (or taken from the list on the Tables, Charts and Lists Page). Both are attempts to take into account the size of the bullet.

Bullet diameter indicates the bullet's frontal area, while cross-sectional area is the bullet's frontal area. In that sense, I suspect that my formula is a bit more precise. However, if I had known about John Wooters earlier work I probably would have just used it as the basis of the table above and not bothered to develop my own killing power formula. I imagine that the comparative results would be quite similar, although not identical.

Note: For a fascinating, two part analysis of the G&S Online rifle cartridge killing power formula, see the articles The G&S Online Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula: Implications and Applications and Determining The Effective Killing Range of Rifle Cartridges by Gary Zinn. For a list of cartridges and loads in increasing order of KPS, see G&S Online 100 Yard Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Comparison.