Precious Liberty,
Wow! That thread is over 2 years old. Lol. Been busy with a new job and don’t get to Freep much these days. I had to review the article and thread. I’m not sure what my logic was completely. But the shear velocity of a projectile delivers a certain amount of energy, regardless of the bullet size of shape (metal jacket Vs. lead hollow point/tallons). I don’t know how the 8.62 MM compares to the .50 Cal sniper energy. But it is the energy of the .50 cal sniper weapons that were being used in Afgan that would, in some cases, split a human body. A good shot made one hell of a mess. That said, I didn’t see a comparison and didn’t fully re-read the article.
Good to hear from you. What prompted a review of a thread from 2008? Just curious.
“Wow! That thread is over 2 years old.”
Hah, I didn’t even notice when I replied...
“I’m not sure what my logic was completely. But the shear velocity of a projectile delivers a certain amount of energy, regardless of the bullet size of shape (metal jacket Vs. lead hollow point/tallons). I don’t know how the 8.62 MM compares to the .50 Cal sniper energy. But it is the energy of the .50 cal sniper weapons that were being used in Afgan that would, in some cases, split a human body.”
It is both the energy and bullet construction. There’s a variant of the .50 BMG round that’s multi-purpose (incendiary, armor-piercing and explosive), perhaps it was used in the instances you’re describing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raufoss_Mk_211
Even a “soft” bullet similar to the Sierra Match King would do massive tissue damage with the .50 BMG or .338 Lapua.
At any rate, the .338 Lapua is very close to the .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (.338 RUM) which is regularly used on big game animals without spraying them all over the landscape. ;-)
Even the .375 H&H is well regarded as a small antelope round when a solid bullet is used - minimal meat destruction.
“Good to hear from you. What prompted a review of a thread from 2008? Just curious.”
I think it was the post above mine that bumped it to the top on May 4. Still interesting regardless of the ancient history factor. :-)
Have a good one!