Terminal Ballistics: Understanding Bullet Impact

The study of the interaction of a projectile with its target, whether that be flesh (for a hunting bullet), steel (for an anti-tank round), or even furnace slag.

Terminal ballistics, the study of what happens when a projectile hits its target, is a crucial aspect of long range shooting. This unit will delve into the factors affecting bullet penetration and expansion, the concept of bullet energy transfer and stopping power, and the effect of bullet design and construction on terminal performance.

Factors Affecting Bullet Penetration and Expansion

When a bullet strikes its target, two key factors come into play: penetration and expansion. Penetration refers to how deeply the bullet enters the target, while expansion refers to the bullet's increase in diameter upon impact.

Several factors influence these two aspects:

1. Bullet Design: Hollow-point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, increasing their diameter and slowing their penetration. On the other hand, full metal jacket bullets are designed to maintain their shape and penetrate deeper into the target.

2. Bullet Velocity: Higher velocity bullets tend to penetrate deeper and expand more than slower bullets. However, if the velocity is too high, the bullet may fragment upon impact, reducing its penetration.

3. Target Material: The hardness and density of the target material also affect bullet penetration and expansion. For example, bullets will penetrate deeper and expand less in soft targets like water or flesh compared to hard targets like steel or concrete.

Bullet Energy Transfer and Stopping Power

The primary goal of a bullet is to incapacitate the target. This is achieved through the transfer of kinetic energy from the bullet to the target, a concept known as stopping power. The more energy a bullet transfers to the target, the greater its stopping power.

Stopping power is influenced by several factors:

1. Bullet Mass: Heavier bullets carry more kinetic energy and thus have greater stopping power.

2. Bullet Velocity: Faster bullets also carry more kinetic energy, increasing their stopping power.

3. Bullet Design: Bullets designed to expand upon impact transfer more energy to the target, increasing their stopping power.

Effect of Bullet Design and Construction on Terminal Performance

The design and construction of a bullet significantly affect its terminal performance. For example, hollow-point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, increasing their diameter and slowing their penetration. This design maximizes the bullet's energy transfer to the target, increasing its stopping power.

On the other hand, full metal jacket bullets are designed to maintain their shape and penetrate deeper into the target. These bullets transfer less energy to the target, reducing their stopping power but increasing their penetration.

In conclusion, understanding terminal ballistics is crucial for long range shooting. By considering the factors affecting bullet penetration and expansion, the concept of bullet energy transfer and stopping power, and the effect of bullet design and construction on terminal performance, shooters can make informed decisions about their ammunition and improve their shooting performance.