I'm expected to do a project on aerodynamics and stuff in physics. This involves experiments, graphs, etc. Since I'm known as the "gun kid" to the teacher she "suggested" I do an interesting topic on bullets and stuff. Anyone have ideas? I was thinking about maybe showing the ballistics of the U.S. Military cartridges over the years and how the trajectory changed, or maybe how bullet shape and B.C. affect a bullets flight, even if they are fired at the same or higher speed than one another. Any other good ideas? Also, what are the military cartridges? There was .44 rimfire or something wasn't there? Nice flat trajectory I'm guessing. I know this post doesn't fit in this forum, but lots of people read it, and it doesn't really go anywhere else.


Thanks for any replies!

When is it do?

Slightly less than 2 weeks, I think not next Thursday, but the next.

If you need a lot of graphs and calculations, comparing different variables of bullet trajectory would be a really good idea. Depending on what level of math you can use, you will be able to get a lot out of your data/graphs. You could also draw conclusions about which affects it the most/least and explain why you think that is so.

trajectory calculator:

http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/traj/traj.html

ballistics calculator with graphs:

http://www.dexadine.com/bexw.html

projectile motion:

http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/mechanics/curvedM...tionsCalculator.html

external ballistics calculator:

http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/mechanics/curvedM...tionsCalculator.html

RCBS ballistics calculator:

http://www.gmdr.com/rcbs/rcbstext5.htm

You can download Point Blank for free and create graphs on your PC.

Thanks to 500 grains and Charles_Helm for helping our future.

Rich

Would it scare your teachers to death if you were given loan of a few dummy cartridges? I own several military chamberings and would be happy to load and loan you some dummy cartridges for your project. Let me know...

I have a few demilled 50BMG cartridges laying around if you need one

U.S. military cartridges
1866 - 1873 50-70
1873 - 1892 45-70
1892 - 1903 30 U.S., now known as 30-40 Krag
1903 - 1906 30-03 (slightly longer case neck for 220 grain bullet than 30-06)
1906 - 1957 30-06
1957 - 1964 7.62x51 (308 Win)
1964 - current 5.56x45 (223 Win)

note: These dates are for introduction until introduction of next replacement cartridge/rifle system. The 7.62x51 is still in use, but isn't the cartridge for the main rifle system. There is considerable overlap of all of these cartridges because of the need to build new rifles and the old rifles went into the armory system for use by national guard etc.

I doubt blank cartridges would fly...I'll ask tomorrow, last year I brought a 3 1/2" 12 gauge shell I had shot because rednecks were telling me they were shooting 4" turkey loads. They said "Dang, that's longer than my 4 inchers!"
It might've been over 4 inches after shot, but I don't think they had ever seen a shotgun shell that long. Anyways, I got in trouble with it because some kid said I had a "bullet". Anyways, I'll ask.

Also what are the handgun cartidges that have been used, and were there regulated cap and ball loads for old revolvers? I thought in some war they used Spencer repeating rifles in 44 Rimfire, or am I wrong? Wasn't there an even bigger rimfire used by the U.S. at one point? I know that some foreign country used like .69 caliber too, I bet it dropped like crazy!

I think a field trip is on order to best demonstrate your graphs.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
Also what are the handgun cartidges that have been used, and were there regulated cap and ball loads for old revolvers? I thought in some war they used Spencer repeating rifles in 44 Rimfire, or am I wrong? Wasn't there an even bigger rimfire used by the U.S. at one point? I know that some foreign country used like .69 caliber too, I bet it dropped like crazy!

Best of luck on your project. The Spencer was .56 cal, FWTW. If you call the NRA chapter in your area or email the main site they will get someone in your area to help, I bet.

Thank you guys for all your help! I'm a freshman, so no crazy level math yet.

What are the larger rounds such as anti-tank stuff? Not mortars, but shoulder fireable rounds. Is 50 BMG the only thing used for larger stuff? Are there any 20mm rifles the military have used?

There is one shoulder fired 20MM anti tank gun that I know of, but it's not american so I don't know if it will help you but it is called the Lahti.