OT - Re: [SGVLUG] hp tech support! - take this!!!

[matti]

Hi,

To wound vs to Kill...
----------------------------

I think the main purpose for any military firearm
is to stop the opponent from being able to kill
you.

A wounded soldier can still keep fighting
and thus remains an immediate threat even
if they are critically wounded and will not
survive, they can survive and fight long
enough to successful resist/kill your troops.

Thus I believe the logic is to disable the
opponent as quickly as possible with a firearm
or other weapon.


HOWEVER for mines, and distance weapons where
the opponent does NOT represent an immediate
threat it makes more sense to wound, as Dustin
pointed out - that will cost more work than
a KIA. (2 soldiers/medics to carry the wounded
soldier.. numerous ones to care for them..
vs burying them.)

Thus the butterfly mines the soviets used in Afganistan
were designed to maim.


Small caliber, high velocity ammo...
--------------------------------------

remember KE = M*V^2

the idea which brought the 5.56mmx45mm (.223) which
the M16/AR15 uses is that the soldier can carry MORE
ammo, have a lighter rifle, AND infact have a rifle
capable of automatic fire (assault rifle..
see stg44, the first assault rifle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgewehr_44 )

the idea was if it takes.. oh 3000 rounds to
kill an enemy, then if we give our troops MORE
ammo, which they can shoot quicker then they
will expend more ammo, killing more enemies...

needless to say.. marksmanship still counts...


Tumbling bullets!
---------------------

Re Terminal ballistics all modern rifle bullets tumble,
it just a question of when, and how much the bullet
may deform.

The 5.45x39mm (Russian AK 74 round, was purposefully
designed to expend energy by being more unstable
in the terminal impact.. it has an air pocket
at the front of the bullet.)

the following illustrate the wound channels in
uniform ballistic gel

Note the DEPTH before the tumbling happens,
in the AK47, M14 the round could easily
be through the soldier before the round starts
it's major tumble.

with the AK74, M16 rounds, the round starts
to tumble sooner, expending the energy in the
target, the AK74 round being particularly
exceptional in it's tumbling early on.
(not, this also makes it less good for
penetration.. )

5.45x39mm (AK 74 - new version of AK 47 used in afghanistan)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/images/Wound%20Profiles/AK-74%20545x39.jpg

5.56x45mm (M16, AR15 old vietnam era version of bullet)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/images/Wound%20Profiles/M193.jpg

5.56x45mm (M16, AR15, M249 new version of bullet)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/images/Wound%20Profiles/M855.jpg

7.62x39mm (AK 47)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/images/Wound%20Profiles/AK-47%20762x39mm.jpg

7.62x51mm nato (M14, M60, M240)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/images/Wound%20Profiles/M80.jpg


note - the NEW armoured vests which the US troops are wearing
are capable of stopping penetration of even the 7.62x51mm round 
IF it hits the most protected spot.

thus, greatly helping to reduce US troop injuries.
(vietnam era flak jackets did not stop rifle bullets)


ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_ballistics

http://www.brassfetcher.com/

http://www.firearmstactical.com/wound.htm




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