From: terran@en.ecn.purdue.edu (me)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.science
Subject: Re: Exploding Bullets
Date: 11 Sep 92 17:00:43 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network

In article <JV4VqB1w164w@geloser.CAM.ORG> chinja@geloser.CAM.ORG (delta) writes:
>'Explosive Bullets' are more like superduper hollowpoints...
>
>Explosive bullets, ie Glaser bullets, are highly effective against
>soft targets such as humans due to their explosive properties. When
>contact is made, it is quite similar to that of a small shotgun. If
>the round makes contact with the shoulder, for example, it is highly
>probable that the shoulder will bet blown/shredded apart taking with
>it the appropriate arm.
>This will render the victim in a complete state of shock and the trauma
>caused by the blast will cause massive bleeding out of the exposed 
>arteries.
>Of course, this goes to say that the victim may not die but will be
>crippled. One stands a 86% chance of dying when shot by a 44 Magnum

This sounds like a figure from the study that the Marines (I think) did
some years ago, based on case studies of thousands of shootings with
varieties of firearms under various conditions.  They produced a table
listing the Relative Incapacitation Index for each type of round/firearm.
This index was a percentage that (supposedly) represented the chance of
"incapacitating" the target with a single shot -- (NOTE: this does _not_ mean
kill -- if the target is knocked out but not killed, it is just as effective
from a combat standpoint as actually killing them).  It's been a while,
but I think the RII for a .44 mag was in the 50's, and a .357 mag w/
jacketed hollowpoints was very close if not higher.  A 12 gauge shotgun
with 00-buckshot was in the high 80's or 90's.

>bullet which is one of the most powerful commercially available
>round out on the market, excluding specialized bullets. Naturally,

Not true.  A .44 magnum has a much lower muzzle velocity and kinetic energy
than many commercially available rounds, especially rifles.  Try firing
a .44 mag into a 3/8" steel plate from 20 yards (average gunfire combat
distance).  You get a gray lead smear on an undented plate.  Now try a
.243 hunting rifle (a much lighter bullet), same range.  Result: a nice,
clean .243" hole through the plate.  The .44 mag has something of an
exagerated reputation because it is big and loud.  It _is_ effective, but
if I had my personal choice, I would take a 30.06 deer rifle with an 8x scope,
200 yards, and a high degree of concealment any day ;-).


>the smaller the caliber, the less chance of dying. Against, a shotgun or 
>rifle, death is almost certain.
>
>
>                Have a nice day, Folks!
>
>--
>chinja@geloser.cam.org
>Gentleman Loser System -- Montreal, Qc, Canada

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