Bullets Changing Direction!

J

Jack Roberts

Moderator - Deceased
The following copyrighted material from Sierra's X-ring newsletter, is reprinted here with the permission of Sierra Bullets.
Jack

Why do bullets change direction?
by Robert Treece

On several occasions I have had the question posed, "heard that bullets can change direction upon impact - why?" It can be caused from several situations. Most likely, it will be from a ricochet after impact with bone or other mediums. Bone, as an example, is hard but has different shapes and some elasticity. This "force" can radically change the flight of a bullet and is unpredictable; as it could head off in any direction (yes, even back the way it came)! The rotational spin imparted on a projectile by twist in the barrel also comes into play but again, because of a shape change (mushroom or bend), subsequent travel is unpredictable. And not to forget the possible degradation of flight characteristics, caused by the projectile moving through brush or other obstructions, which could make the bullet hit at an angle upon first contact-this can cause a "deviation"; not unlike skipping rocks on water. These stresses can also cause a bullet to blow up or fragment. Maybe this will help hunters understand why unusual things can happen after we pull the trigger.
 
Jack,

The facts that you quoted point out why we must avoid jumping to conclusions about using the words "bullet failure" too quick.

Testing that I have done on "brush cartridges" proved that when a bullet touches anything it looses stablity. Of course your topic is on what happens when the bullet strikes the game point on but it is not an exact science at the moment. It could be however with accurate information.

I like the information at www.mindspring.com/~ulfhere/ballistics/wounding.html best at the moment. Harald seems to know as much as anyone on the topic and has put it on paper better than anyone that I know of.
 
Savage_99,

Speaking of "brush cartridges."

It was always thought, and still is by many, that slow round nose bullets penetrate brush better. About 15-20 years ago there was extensive testing done for the "American Rifleman" that proved beyond any doubt just the opposite. The bullets least deflected by brush are pointed bullets moving at higher speeds.

Jack
 
I had a 25-06 120gr NP go through the lungs on a whitetail brodside at 135M and come out its rear leg on the other side. I have no doubt bullets will change direction!Is this a problem with the bullets? I know nosler partions are good but you never know i guess. The deer was a buck weighing about 260lbs. Any ideas on what happened?
 
Jack,

My testing showed that the more "powerful" rounds deflected less. Thus, of the ones I shot in that test, the .375 H&H did best, the 7mm RM with 160's second, 30-06 180 next, then my favorite the .358 Win 200 Silvertip. Bullets like the 75 gr 243 at 3600 MV blew up as did Foster 12 ga slugs on the 1/2" to 3/4" hardwood sprouts.

Every bullet that hit something at all tumbled and they defect quite a bit at even short distance from where they hit.

The best brush tactics are not to hit the brush and if you do to be able to shoot again.
 
I have read more than once that muscular reaction to a bullets impact can substancially change a bullets path. Imagine what a big hunk of bone can do. If you ask me, expect the unexpected, and if it doesn't work out that way, be happy! 338
 
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