[AlphaCat]

If a bullet (jacketed) were to explode, without being put in a barrel, say; if you threw it up against something concrete, does the bullet have the same capability to be lethal as it did before without the forward velocity it gains from the barrel?

 

[ranger_sxt]

Yes it potentially can be lethal, but it will not be as lethal as being in a chamber.

 

[marysdad]

This has been well researched and demonstrated. The answer is, no.

When not confined, the case will attain about 150 fps and the bullet (being heavier) a lot less. At 150 fps, the case won't even penetrate a sheet of corrugated cardboard ( I can't remember where I read about that). An excellent book that addresses this question (and a load of other fascinating info not found elsewhere) is Hatcher's Notebook, by Julian S. Hatcher. Hatcher served in the Ordnance Corps for 40 years and experimented with just about everything that you can do to a firearm. Hatcher experimented by electrically firing various cartridges (.30-06, .45 ACP., 12 GA.) while next to a bar of soap (to simulate flesh). The deepest penetration was a dent about 1/4 in. deep, which he felt would cause a bruise that would not break the skin.

 

[BLS33]

When the gas is confined in the barrel it creates much a higher propellant velocity because the gas cannot expand freely and must push the bullet out to free itself. In the open it is free to spread out immediately.

 

[alsaqr]

My occupation is Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Over the past 48 years i have destroyed in excess of two billion rounds of small arms ammunition by burning, mostly in open pits. Sometimes the cases and bullets fly about 15 feet: Seldom do they go further than that. Steel cased ammunition makes a louder bang when it burns.

 

[WILDCATT]

bullet explode

this question has me puzzled. and did any one catch it no! nothing will happen unless it bonces back.he said bullet not cartridge.

 

[robocop10mm]

A lot of less sophisticated gunners refer to ammunition as bullets. Just like the folks that refer to bullets as "heads". Lets try to nurture these neophytes and get them into the fold. I try to be as proper and descriptive as possible in dealing with the undereducated members of our society.

 

[bkt]

My occupation is Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Over the past 48 years i have destroyed in excess of two billion rounds of small arms ammunition by burning, mostly in open pits. Sometimes the cases and bullets fly about 15 feet: Seldom do they go further than that. Steel cased ammunition makes a louder bang when it burns.

Is there any danger you'd want to "dispose" of it by sending it to me in the future? I'm going broke with ammo prices these days....

 

[Pounce]

I like that question bkt. I could use some (a lot) also!

 

[cnorman18]

I remember reading some years ago about a cop who accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling of his squadroom. He claimed that he dropped a live round when reloading, and that it detonated when it hit the floor. His commander didn't buy it...

 

[1hole]

[robocop10mm- "A lot of less sophisticated gunners refer to ammunition as bullets. Just like the folks that refer to bullets as "heads". Lets try to nurture these neophytes and get them into the fold. I try to be as proper and descriptive as possible in dealing with the undereducated members of our society"

That's a worthy goal for sure. Problem is we are sometimes faced with trying to guess if they mean what they say or if they mean what we think they are trying to say. ??? Jumping the wrong way, we may offer more confusion than help until we get the language fixed.

 

[robocop10mm]

Ammo

Absolutely! It is difficult to understand the question when there is a variance in the terminology. Let's just avoid flaming someone over a "newbie" word. I know some of the variance is due to local dialect. I have friends from the New york area that refer to bullets (projectiles) as "heads". They are not wrong, just speaking a different version of "Gunglish".

When in doubt, ask for a clarification.

 

[rickrem700]

Termenolgy

The English has been butchered, however we should all be thankful, that we are not reading it in Spanish!!!

 

[richardnorton]

Hey this can be proved easily, next time you are out camping at night just throw a box of .22 lr into the campfire. Everyone will probably soil themselves but nobody will be shot. First time I saw this I thought we'd al die, but I don't think we did, but then I have been wrong once or twice in my life

 

[cpttango30]

OMG Really everyone remembers reading about it but no one comes up with the MYTHBUSTERS episode that disproves all but the 50bmg is not very lethal.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BX1kvJVrjc[/ame]


WARNING YOUR GONNA LEARN SOMETHING BELOW.

For each action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that the exact same amount of force is going to be exerted on the case and the bullet. The bullet of a 22lr weighs 36 to 40 gr. The case weighs in at less than that much less maybe 10 to 20 gr. So the force being applied to each is equal but we know that it takes more power to move a heavier object and a lighter object. So seeing as it takes more force to move a heavier object the lighter one will move at a higher rate of speed or in our case velocity. the bullet is not going to go as fast because it weighs 2x more than the case.

 

[zeskullmaster]

No it would not travel with the same impact force but ever hear of fragmentation ? the cartridge could explode and send shrapnel in all directions ... so it could cause a body to get real damaged or even shredded depends on how close and if it is a heavy load

 

[Bob Hostetter]

extremely unlikely to even cause harm of any kind

 

[Fuzzball]

Some things seem transparently clear. If a free cartridige could propel a bullet as fast/leathal without a barrel as with it we wouldn't need those bulky, expensive and heavy barrels would we?

 

[JonM]

a case fragment might put your eye out if your super unlucky but you wouldnt die from it. well you might from infection under government run healthcare in a few years from now...

 

[robocop10mm]

No it would not travel with the same impact force but ever hear of fragmentation ? the cartridge could explode and send shrapnel in all directions ... so it could cause a body to get real damaged or even shredded depends on how close and if it is a heavy load

Cartridge brass is malleable (bends easily). Smokeless powder requires significant pressure to completely burn. The primer, being the lightest part of the cartridge, will tend to pop out first and the powder will flare off through the flash hole. IF the primer is contained partially by whatever surface set it off in the first place, the bullet will pop out. As soon as it releases from the case, the pressures will drop and the bullet will not go far. The brass may give way but would be unlikely to send significant shrapnel.