Hi All,
There is currently a hot argument raging amongst our shooting club members about the value (effect on "hitting power") of the rate twist (bullet spin) on the "hitting power"of a typical handgun.
Some mebers argue that the very high spinning rate of a bullet has n very damaging effect of the body tissue it hits and passes through. According to them the rate of twist plays a major role in determining the "hitting power" of a handgun bullet.
Other members argue that the rate of twist has very little if any role to play (other than stabilising the bullet for accuracy) in the "hitting power" of a handgun bullet. According to then a typical handgun bullet only do 1 rotation (spin) for every 14 - 18 inches (depending on the particular gun's rate of twist) of distance it travels so if it hits and passes through a human body (about 12 inches deep) the bullet will not even complete one spin while it is in the body - it is hardly likely that a one or less rotation of the bullet in the body is going to be very spectacular of have much effect on it's "hitting power".
The opponents then point out that the typical bullet spins at a rate of up to 50,000 rpm in the typical 9mm pistol and that such a tremendous spinning speed of an object in flesh cause significant shock and damage so it must play a major in the gun's "hitting power".
The counter argument is that a bullet does not stay in the body for one minute while passing through but more likely stays for less than 0.06 of a second. This short time don't give the bullet enough time do complete it's 50,000 rotations in the body - it would hardly complete one rotation in that short time.
I would appreciate the views and explanations of you who are likely much better terminal balistic experts than me.
Regards,
Eddie
There is currently a hot argument raging amongst our shooting club members about the value (effect on "hitting power") of the rate twist (bullet spin) on the "hitting power"of a typical handgun.
Some mebers argue that the very high spinning rate of a bullet has n very damaging effect of the body tissue it hits and passes through. According to them the rate of twist plays a major role in determining the "hitting power" of a handgun bullet.
Other members argue that the rate of twist has very little if any role to play (other than stabilising the bullet for accuracy) in the "hitting power" of a handgun bullet. According to then a typical handgun bullet only do 1 rotation (spin) for every 14 - 18 inches (depending on the particular gun's rate of twist) of distance it travels so if it hits and passes through a human body (about 12 inches deep) the bullet will not even complete one spin while it is in the body - it is hardly likely that a one or less rotation of the bullet in the body is going to be very spectacular of have much effect on it's "hitting power".
The opponents then point out that the typical bullet spins at a rate of up to 50,000 rpm in the typical 9mm pistol and that such a tremendous spinning speed of an object in flesh cause significant shock and damage so it must play a major in the gun's "hitting power".
The counter argument is that a bullet does not stay in the body for one minute while passing through but more likely stays for less than 0.06 of a second. This short time don't give the bullet enough time do complete it's 50,000 rotations in the body - it would hardly complete one rotation in that short time.
I would appreciate the views and explanations of you who are likely much better terminal balistic experts than me.
Regards,
Eddie