1. Evolutionof the Bullet By MIDN 1/C Wolfson

2. Design of bullets and ballistics • Internal Ballistics- interactions between bullet and bore • External Ballistics- physics affecting bullet after it leaves muzzle • Terminal Ballistics- stopping power/ what happens when bullet impacts

3. Internal Ballistics • Create seal between bullet and rifling • Efficiently engage rifling without destroying muzzle • Reduce all excess friction

4. External Ballistics • Shape- aerodynamics • Rotation from rifling • Asymetry/ imperfections- cause inaccuracy • Center of mass- more forward it is more stabile the bullet

5. Terminal Ballistics • Target composition and density • Angle of incidence • Physical characteristics of bullet • Bullets made to penetrate, deform, or break apart • Velocity- one of biggest factors

6. History of the Bullet • Hand thrown metallic, stone, or clay balls • Lead ball – small lead ball hand made and all different caliber • varied only slightly over about 400 years (mainly in size) • was a small lead ball smaller than musket bore which was muzzle- loaded (needed to be packed tightly to prevent barrel from exploding) • Technological advances were made mainly in muskets and the firing methods • Square bullet- invented by Kyle Tunis • Used in Puckle gun (1718 – James Puckle) • Did not last long due to unpredictable flight • Greener bullet- 1836 by William Greener • Cone shaped with a hollow base which was fitted with wooden plug • Rejected my military due to its hard production process

7. Minie ball- 1847 by Claude- Etienne Minie • Like Greener bullet but cavity was filled with iron cap • Vast increase in range (from about 300 yds. Up to almost 750 yrds.) • Used during Civil War • Various improvements to Minie ball- • Smaller bores, elongated bullet, light rifling with increased spiraling, harder bullets • Smokeless Cartridge-1886 • All components of bullet combined- Copper/brass case enclosed powder, primer at base, and projectile/bullet • Used in WWI • Breech loaded- increase rate of fire from about 3 rds/min to about 20 rds/min • Massive effects on human flesh- causes cavitation • Improvements to Smokeless Cartridge and rifles- • Slight changes to bullet shape, addition of accurate scopes, improved rifles • Spitzer bullet- much like smokeless cartridge bullets but more pointed • Increased range, accuracy, and the retainment of energy behind bullet

8. Modern Bullets • “Boat tail”- reduced drag • Less Lethal • Incendiary • Exlpoding • Tracers • Armor piercing

9. Composition of a Bullet

10. Questions?