I’m a web developer who started researching “Which cartridge for which game?” and discovered a fascination with ballistics and ethical hunting.
Along the way I learned from seasoned voices—people like Ron Spomer, who make complex data practical for the field (no affiliation).
Their approach highlighted a tool gap online: a clear way to compare cartridges across energy, impact effect, and penetration potential.
Enter the AnchorShot Lethality Index (ALI)
Traditional measures like kinetic energy (ft-lbs) or Taylor Knockout Factor each capture part of the picture.
ALI combines three pillars—energy (empircal data), impact/“stopping” effect (anecdotal data), and sectional density (as a proxy for penetration)—to produce a single score you can scan at a glance.
The goal is simple: help hunters pick the right tool for the job and make clean, humane shots.
We know that shot placement is what counts first and foremost, but it doesn’t hurt to put a little math behind that shot.
ALI is:
A simple, at-a-glance comparison tool.
Built from published ballistics data and transparent math.
A companion to judgment, not a replacement for it.
ALI isn’t:
A substitute for shot placement, bullet construction knowledge, or local regulations.
A guarantee of real-world outcomes—barrels, velocities, cartridges, and bullets vary.
Why “AnchorShot”?
We've seen hunters around the web talk about a shot called an “anchor shot”—a clean hit that drops game quickly and humanely.
Minimizing tracking the animal to ensure harvest, and minimizing the suffering of the animal after the shot, are both important to us at AnchorShot.
This is an evolving project. If you spot an error, want to request a cartridge, or have ideas, I’d love your help improving it.
Next steps:
Together, we can serve hunters who value accuracy, responsibility, and respect for the animals we pursue.