What is more important, stopping power or shot placement?

James Adair — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 12:30:04 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 1:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 13:03:09 -0400

They’re both important. If I had to pick one, I’d go with shot placement.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 26 at 2018 2:36 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 14:36:51 -0400

Shot placement.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2018 10:15 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 10:15:06 -0400

Stopping power doesn't mean anything if you don't hit what you are trying to stop.

That said-- it depends. If you are talking about laying down fire in a spray-and-pray style repulsion of an oncoming banzai-style attack of the zombie apocalypse, stopping power is likely more important. If you are trying to snipe the bad-guy who is trying to shield himself with innocents, shot placement is exponentially more important.

On a more realistic example: if you are trying to take a deer for the trophy/ taxidermy so don't want to damage the bust/ head area but don't mind if it runs a bit: shot placement. If you are trying to drop it so as to not spoil the meat with lactic acid: stopping power (assuming you still have good enough shot placement to actually hit it.)

Bottom line: with 'issued' gear, only one of those things lies within your immediate control.
If you are talking about personal gear, you don't have to compromise as much.