1. I didn't say you said that it had "zero value". I didn't try to restate your comment at all.
But you clearly implied it.
Your questions are all good ones--demonstrating that you understand what is necessary to validate an assertion. Let's keep in mind that you made the initial claim about the value of expanding ammunition and therefore the burden of proof is yours.
Let's keep in mind that I stated my personal opinion, presented my sphere of experience, and that at no time has anyone asked for 'proof' of specifics. Had they done so I would state "I have none other than my own experience and observations spread over the last half century, take it or leave it". Then I would likely invite them to show me otherwise.
It's not at all proper to make an assertion without providing any attempt to validate it but then demand proof from anyone who questions it.
Well except for the fact that I did no such thing. I presented my opinion and experience, and instead of asking me direct questions or details, you dismissively referenced an unknown panel of 3rd party 'experts'. I'm more than happy to discuss my own experiences and welcome any questions....but they first have to be asked.
So what methodology and data points did you use to arrive at the assertion you made about the value of expanding ammunition?
None, I wasn't conducting a 'study'.
On the other hand, I have been paying close attention for the last half century.
In my experience (interesting how the word 'experience' seems to scare people today, especially if it goes against their feelings) the 3P's as I call them ALWAYS trump expansion and caliber.
(again I'm limiting my scope to the most common SD handgun calibers)
A properly placed bullet, regardless of type, ALWAYS trumps an improperly placed expanded bullet. Any bullet, regardless of type, that penetrates vitals ALWAYS trumps an expanded bullet that falls short. I've yet to experience the opposite, but am more than willing to listen if someone can provide any experience to the contrary.
Now, regarding properly placed bullets, I have yet to see a consistent notable difference between the most commonly used SD calibers -or- bullets types. This applies to both humans and critters. A heart shot to a hog with a 380fmj produces in my experience (there's that dirty word again) the same end result as a heart shot with 9/40/45 using expanding ammunition.
I've seen shots where they went down immediately, thrashed a bit and bled out, and others where they ran a few hundred yards before dropping. Opened them up and found perfect heart shots. The caliber and bullet type didn't seem to matter, huge expanded 45....ran 50 yards, 9mm fmj.....dropped on the spot. Then the next go-round, huge expanded 9mm.....dropped on the spot, expanded 45......ran 50 yards. And so on, and so, and so on. No rhyme, no reason.
The point being that even with perfectly placed shots, the immediate result can vary WILDLY regardless of caliber -or- bullet type. I've seen the exact same apply to humans.
The only constant I've found across the entire
human spectrum is that those who were confidant having been well
Practiced, produced properly
Placed shots, that
Penetrated deeply enough, ended their fight faster and more decisively
regardless of caliber.....
Than those who were not well practiced, didn't place their shots properly, or who's shots failed to penetrate enough to hit the good stuff.....regardless of caliber, how much their ammo cost, or the fancyness of the box it came in.
I have to cut my reply short as I've got to fly out to Colorado and pick some family up, then get them back here. Feel free to chew on my response if ya like, I'll try to get back to this later today.