.50 bmg long range KE?

[Illeix]

.50 bmg long range KE? *answered*

I had a strange thing occur to me while crunching numbers. It seems that a 50 bmg from a standard m82a1 carries the same kenetic energy at 1.5 miles as a 9mm has at the muzzle.

I thought this was interesting, but can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[Marcus L.]

Even if it does, it creates a .50cal hole with the momentum of a 700gr+ projectile that can keyhole and cause a .50cal hole that is 2"x.5" in a person, and break through the spin cleanly causing the poor sap's upper torso to sluff over while his lower body remains errect for a second or two......then it kills who ever is behind the dead guy. The momentum of it will punch through several level III body armour panels at that range and a 9mm won't even punch through one level II vest at the muzzle.

Energy is only 10% of the equation.

 

[benEzra]

Even if it does, it creates a .50cal hole with the momentum of a 700gr+ projectile that can keyhole and cause a .50cal hole that is 2"x.5" in a person, and break through the spin cleanly causing the poor sap's upper torso to sluff over while his lower body remains errect for a second or two......then it kills who ever is behind the dead guy. The momentum of it will punch through several level III body armour panels at that range and a 9mm won't even punch through one level II vest at the muzzle.

Not at 1.5 miles.

 

[Illeix]

But does anyone know if I'm right on the matter?

 

[RyanM]

M33 ball weighs 668 gr and has a ballistic coefficient of .670, and has a muzzle velocity in a Barrett of something like 2700 fps. At 1.5 mile, or 2640 yards, my ballistics calculator says a velocity of 853 fps, and an energy of 1079 ft-lbs. The bullet drops 443 feet over that distance.

So you may be way off. It has considerably more energy at that distance. If this thing is accurate.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The .50 BMG cartridge can, and has, killed people at a mile and a half. The current world record confirmed sniper kill with a .50 was done from a distance of 7,982 feet (1.51 miles).

Speaking strictly in terms of muzzle energy, a .50 BMG ball round at 1.5 miles is equivalent to a .44 magnum at point blank range. In reality, the higher ballistic coefficient of the bullets used for such shots results in the energy at range being much greater. The 750 gr. Hornady A-max, for example, has a B.C. of 1.050-57% higher than M33 ball.

 

[gvnwst]

at 1.5mi, the 750gr AMAX is at 1200fps, just under the speed of sound, and has about 2,800fpe. so, about 3 or 4 times a 9mm ball round.

 

[Illeix]

ok, looks like my figures need to be thrown out...

any ratios or tables to find the effects of BC and drag at range?

btw, thanks for the help thus far!

 

[gvnwst]

if you mean a ballistics calculator, go to the top link on this site page.
you will need excel though.

http://http://www.jacksonrifles.com/ballistics.htm

 

[MachIVshooter]

at 1.5mi, the 750gr AMAX is at 1200fps, just under the speed of sound, and has about 2,800fpe. so, about 3 or 4 times a 9mm ball round.

9mm ball runs ~ 370 ft/lbs at the muzzle. 370 goes into 2,800 7-1/2 times.

 

[Strongbad]

the 750gr AMAX is at 1200fps, just under the speed of sound

1200 fps = more than the speed of sound, even at sea level.

 

[BigBuckMaster]

i thought teh longest kill was 1.4 mi, by Sgt. C.N. Hathcock II. do you know who made this 1.51 mi shot? i would love to know.

 

[ziggy222]

that was very long ago.i'm sure its been beet by now.he's not even alive still.
by the way his only interview he ever gave is on utube.i read his book and saw the interview.bothe the book and interview were very interesting.

 

[MachIVshooter]

i thought teh longest kill was 1.4 mi, by Sgt. C.N. Hathcock II. do you know who made this 1.51 mi shot? i would love to know.

Cpl. Rob Furlong, a Canadian sniper

 

[Illeix]

thanks everyone! youve all been a great help!