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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
When the bullet goes transonic/subsonic
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<blockquote data-quote="Michael Eichele" data-source="post: 163248" data-attributes="member: 1007"><p>This is an incrediably complicated subject. I myself do not have all the answers in this regard or 1/2 the answers for that matter. I dont know anybody that does. What I do know is that most standard projectiles will loose enough of their stability at the transonic wall to cause them to wobble. The wobble gets increasingly worse and then they begin to "tumble". First they will "key hole" into your target. This means they hit nose first but at an angle. When they tumble they ussually hit the target sideways. If an airplane didnt have wings and other stabilizing factors, they would do the same thing.</p><p></p><p>Some bullets will react different than others. Depending on balance, the stability factor of it due to the twist rate used and other factors some may be able to withstand the forces of the transonic wall and even though they are affected by it will regain their stability after reaching subsonic velocities. A short for heavy weight ratio bullet spun very fast will typically make it through the wall and keep going. Some bullets also increase in BC after going subsonic. Why does this happen. I honestly dont have the answers to those questions. I just know some will do different things with different twist rates. Overspinning a bullet though leads to other issues also so I personally wouldnt recomend getting a new barrel with an ultra tight twist either.</p><p></p><p>As far as Hathcock's 2500 yard 50 cal. kill, it is hard to know just what the real BC of the bullet was and we can assume it was close to published but do we know the drag model of it? Depending on the drag model it could have been super sonic past 2500 yards in the enviornment he was shooting in. Also depending on the twist that was used in that rifle, had it gone subsonic, it likely will have pushed through it and reached a subsonic stability and continued its flight.</p><p></p><p>Clear as mud right?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Michael Eichele, post: 163248, member: 1007"] This is an incrediably complicated subject. I myself do not have all the answers in this regard or 1/2 the answers for that matter. I dont know anybody that does. What I do know is that most standard projectiles will loose enough of their stability at the transonic wall to cause them to wobble. The wobble gets increasingly worse and then they begin to "tumble". First they will "key hole" into your target. This means they hit nose first but at an angle. When they tumble they ussually hit the target sideways. If an airplane didnt have wings and other stabilizing factors, they would do the same thing. Some bullets will react different than others. Depending on balance, the stability factor of it due to the twist rate used and other factors some may be able to withstand the forces of the transonic wall and even though they are affected by it will regain their stability after reaching subsonic velocities. A short for heavy weight ratio bullet spun very fast will typically make it through the wall and keep going. Some bullets also increase in BC after going subsonic. Why does this happen. I honestly dont have the answers to those questions. I just know some will do different things with different twist rates. Overspinning a bullet though leads to other issues also so I personally wouldnt recomend getting a new barrel with an ultra tight twist either. As far as Hathcock's 2500 yard 50 cal. kill, it is hard to know just what the real BC of the bullet was and we can assume it was close to published but do we know the drag model of it? Depending on the drag model it could have been super sonic past 2500 yards in the enviornment he was shooting in. Also depending on the twist that was used in that rifle, had it gone subsonic, it likely will have pushed through it and reached a subsonic stability and continued its flight. Clear as mud right? [/QUOTE]
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When the bullet goes transonic/subsonic
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