Shooting Holes in Wounding Theories: The Mechanics of Terminal Ballistics

No subject in the firearms industry generates more print or heat than terminal performance. In the last fifteen years this issue has even become one of considerable moment with federal agencies, the FBI particularly, leading to the decision to replace entire arsenals of sidearms. Similarly, within the commercial industry we have seen the development of numerous, and occasionally exotic, bullet designs based upon various theories of wounding behavior. Some have worked well, while others have not. But for the most part, shooters and many in the firearms community still do not understand why these things work or fail. My purpose in this study is to examine what we do know and to reconsider the theories which attempt to account for the observed performance. I intend to cover the entire field of terminal ballistics controversy as fairly as possible, but I do have some very definite conclusions of my own which I believe I can explain and defend to the satisfaction of most. Furthermore, I will offer some criticism of the popular formulas for calculating terminal performance and suggest a couple which may provide a real estimate of absolute performance on game (not just a relative comparison to other loads). Although this discussion is intended for the sportsman, I will include material and argument which is of interest to the individual using small arms for self-defense or in police or military applications.

A brief word about my background is warranted. I am a mechanical engineer by profession and employed in the defense industry as an analyst and designer of anti-armor lethal mechanisms (ie, warheads and penetrators). Terminal ballistics is both my hobby and my profession. On the job I use a computational tool known as a "hydrocode" called CTH, which was developed by Sandia National Laboratory, to perform penetration analyses, along with code that I have written for specific applications. My knowledge and studies cover the entire spectrum of penetration mechanics from small arms to high explosive shaped charges. I have extensively read the best forensic studies of bullet behavior, as well as the classic works on field performance by Whelen, Baker, Selous, Taylor, O'Connor, etc. While I freely admit that I haven't personally shot a great number of game animals, I have witnessed others being shot and examined still more post-mortem, to confirm or refute by my own experience the published observations and "pontifications" of hunters. I try not to speak dogmatically on subjects beyond my ken, but where the concensus of thought by sage and seasoned hunters tends toward a clear conclusion, I am not hesitant to assert it.

I believe in being forthright, so I will jump in with both feet and state the premise of my own theory of terminal ballistics. The title of this article is a hint. Plainly stated, I maintain that the effect of bullets upon living targets is caused by the wound track made by the bullet. Now, before you accuse me of being a wise guy, recall that most theoretical explanations of wounding are tied to the kinetic energy or momentum or some other such physical quantity of the bullet which is "transferred" or imparted to the target. My theory recognizes these characteristics, but relies upon a fundamentally different premise, which is that two physically equivalent wound tracks in a game animal will have an equivalent effect, no matter how different were the kinetic energies or other physical attributes of the bullets which caused them. There are some extremely rarely encountered exceptions to the general rule, but for most purposes the hole caused by a bullet is its only measure of terminal effectiveness.

No wonder I couldn't find any Gorilla last fall in S.D. - you already got them all. :-)

And you're right, the AR-15 (.223) has it's place - like the jungle & swamps, or as in Vietnam₁ (which I believe I previously stipulated). And yes the heavier bullet will drop more (darn laws of physics again), but look at the 300yd ft-lb comparison; 620 for the .223 & 1144 for my 8mm - almost double the energy.

However, keep in mind that the intention of Stoner with his AR & smaller .233 round was to cause casualties - which would then theoretically slow down the enemy in tending to his wounded (IIRC taking 3 men out of a battle). While previously the idea was to kill the enemy; 30-06 '03 Springfield & M-1 Garand and .308 M-14.

BTW, that must have taken some time to post all that data - good job. And how you got the data for the .223 over 200yds is beyond me as Remington stopped there. Again, good job.

Oh, this fall I'll try North Dakota for Gorilla ;-)

1; That is once they went back to the originally spec'd clean burning powder which did not require a chrome receiver, issued cleaning kits and stopped the jamming/fouling problem.

BTW, that must have taken some time to post all that data - good job. And how you got the data for the .223 over 200yds is beyond me as Remington stopped there. Again, good job.

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The data is from a excel spreadsheet.

Everything you said I agree with. Vietnam etc. Today's fight is at 300 to 1000 yards and the troops need a little more energy at impact.

The new 6.8mm round about to be adopted by the military is the old 30 30 round only a little shorter and without a shoulder for magizine loading.

I use a Horus scope for gorilla's and the supplier of the scope says they are using them in Iraq with kills up to 1550 meters. These are great scopes for distances over 300 yards.

Many gorillas over 500 yards working on 1000 yards. longest today is 822yardds.

BTW, do you know if a Sharps 45-70 is good for Gorilla? I'd assume so - at least to a 1000 yards. Or would that be over-kill?

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the problem with big bore guns that must be overcome are as follows:

1. Size of the gorilla is a dollar bill for kill zone. At 1000 yards and bullet drops of 50 feet, let alone wind gusts create muliple shot kills adjustments to last shoot

2. Secret to long range kills are adjustment. Adjustment to the last shot. If you can not see the strike of the last shot you can not adjust. IT is just that simple. Big bores are simply not the right choice for fun days shooting. My AR 15 allows continue adjustment for wind and distance in the scope field of view without a spotter.

3. Ammo is cheap for ar 15 150 to 200 dollars per slab.

4. How do I know. 15,000 rounds in the last 24 months and hundreds of gorilla's.

Ammo is cheap for ar 15 150 to 200 dollars per slab.

Did you ever hear of Cheaper Than Dirt? I buy most of mine there.
1000 rounds of 'Wolf' .223 for $117.27
They have all brands natch, this is just the 1st one I found.

Another place is The Sportsman's Guide.
You can get 800 TRACER rounds for $269.97

Those might be good for night time Gorilla Hunting?

Did you ever hear of Cheaper Than Dirt? I buy most of mine there.

yep

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I have heard of cheaper than dirt. My problem is I need consistency in the ammo. when you are shooting 200 to 600 yards, I need consistency. I shoot 500 to 700 rounds per day and do not want to be shifting suppliers daily.

In the past 24 months have fired 15,000 rounds and have another 5000 ready. They are once fired military brass loaded by a very concicense loader. I get it delievered to the front door 3000 rounds per order, and they are all the same. I shoot 55 grain early on and now shoot the 68 grain boattail hollow point.

thanks for the tips.

"500 to 700 rounds per day"

Holy shi'ite, do you go through the ammo! No wonder there's a gorilla shortage in S.D.

BTW, there's a Gorilla article linked on Drudge this a.m.
This fellow was running amok in a Dallas Zoo:

Oh, and you're welcome :-)

"500 to 700 rounds per day"
Holy shi'ite, do you go through the ammo! No wonder there's a gorilla shortage in S.D.

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shooting at 300 to 500 yards we watch the bullet(dust clouds) strike thru the scope, and adjust. Where the bullet strikes on the scope we put that spot on the target and fire again. My buddies all had bolt action stuff when I joined the team with gas gun, now two years later most all have at least one gas gun. Did you ever see two or three gas guns on a dog at 350 yards, the dog runs in four directions at the same time for about two seconds. I can compete with most any bolt action upto 300 yards for accuracy, and have ten times the fun at 300 to 600 yards.

Here is a website you might like to visit. I have the tape and recommend it. www.dogbegone.com

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