Muzzle Energy

[wep45]

when i look at various vendor ads for ammunition, specifications for bullet weight, muzzle velocity and muzzle energy are listed. i undersatand how the bullet weight and velocity are measured, but how is energy calculated?

 

[matrem]

Velocity x velocity x bullet wt (in grains)divide by 450240.
Don't mind helping you at all,but this topic can be easily found in "archives"

 

[Chuck Dye]

FWIW Kinetic energy=½mv². That divisor, 450,240, is the result of the ½ in the equation, 1 pound weighing 7000 grains, and 1 slug (the unit of mass) weighing 32.16 pounds (the standard value for gravitational acceleration at the earth's surface is 32.16f/s²)

 

[Remo-99]

wep45,

Muzzle Energy/Bullet Energy are somewhat meaningless figures, unless it can be transfered into a target.
Whether some, most or all of it can be converted from kinetic energy into knockdown power, is largely upto bullet construction and how it performs.

All I'm trying to say is don't rely totally on the highest ME figures to automatically give the best result.
For example, A bullet with a lower ME figure maybe designed/constructed to transfer more % of it's energy, in a given situation.
(Think of non-expanding FMJ's when compared to HP's or SP hunting bullets.)

 

[rcmodel]

On-line calculator for the mathematically challenged, like myself.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp

rcmodel