Difference between revisions of "Muzzle velocity"
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| − | '''Muzzle velocity''' is the velocity of the projectile | + | '''Muzzle velocity''' is the velocity of the projectile immediately after leaving the barrel, and other than a few hypothetical situations, is the fastest the projectile will ever go. Muzzle velocity is typically measured by a chronograph, a device that measures the time it takes the projectile to travel between 2 sensors, although less accurate results can be gathered from a [[ballistic pendulum]] or the quite inaccurate [[hang time]] test. |
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1/2*.1*150^2=1125 J | 1/2*.1*150^2=1125 J | ||
| − | 1.5 | + | 1.5 joules is approximately 1 foot pounds, the traditional imperial (US) unit of energy for firearms. |
It should be noted that in the case of saboted projectiles being simulated with the [[GGDT]], the acctual muzzle energy is equal to GGDT muzzle energy * projectile mass/projectile mass+sabot mass. | It should be noted that in the case of saboted projectiles being simulated with the [[GGDT]], the acctual muzzle energy is equal to GGDT muzzle energy * projectile mass/projectile mass+sabot mass. | ||
Revision as of 22:41, 4 March 2006
Muzzle velocity is the velocity of the projectile immediately after leaving the barrel, and other than a few hypothetical situations, is the fastest the projectile will ever go. Muzzle velocity is typically measured by a chronograph, a device that measures the time it takes the projectile to travel between 2 sensors, although less accurate results can be gathered from a ballistic pendulum or the quite inaccurate hang time test.
Muzzle energy
This is muzzle velocity's companion, and can be calculated as following: 1/2MassVelocity^2 , where mass is in kilograms, velocity is in meters/sec, and output is in joules. For instance, a 100g potato going 150 meters/sec (a large combustion is capable of this) would have a muzzle energy of: 1/2*.1*150^2=1125 J
1.5 joules is approximately 1 foot pounds, the traditional imperial (US) unit of energy for firearms.
It should be noted that in the case of saboted projectiles being simulated with the GGDT, the acctual muzzle energy is equal to GGDT muzzle energy * projectile mass/projectile mass+sabot mass.
The following is a table of misc, rim, and centirfire ammunition muzzle energies, for comparison.
| projectile | energy, J |
| typical paintball | 17 |
| .22 rimfire | 180j |
| .45 colt | 675 |
| .223 | 1900 |
| 30-06 | 4500 |
| 410 slug | 1000 |
