Why is a 7.62*51 mm NATO M118LR and others differ in apparent stopping power at 1 to 3 shots per Afghan kill?

Question

The 7.32*51 mm NATO rounds has a wider variety of different rounds standardized as m118LR for sniping and m993AP for AP purposes but there also is other bullets that don't even allow a one shot kill in the same caliber so that which of the bullet type, muzzle velocity and Etc. or the combination of them is contributing for the difference in a apparent rather not a technical stopping power at most in the field. Is it possible that providing the 18KJ of mechanical kinetic energy of the renown .50 BMG round to a 7.62 round in ways of a sabot or the others can deliver similar or better performance than the .50 BMG round or is it in the .50 caliber that have that .50 BMG's uniquely larger stopping power and what about the .22LR rounds that is it that is it possible to it to deliver 7.62*51 mm NATO m118LR stopping power on those and what happens to other rounds in pistols mainly if that is that speed which is the only theoretical difference in external ballistics between muzzle and a target?

Answer 1

Differ in stopping power???? ---- Its like this -- If the bullet from a .308 cartridge hits a vital part of any body whether its a human, elk, or 500 pound bear its dead...... The shot placement is the issure here..... All bullets from a .308 are one shot one kill....

http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html

Answer 2

Uhh....what?

Could you rephrase that please?

.22lr soft lead bullet fired from a gun with 18KJ of energy would atomize the soft lead bullet before it left the tip of the barrel.

Answer 3

I think you're trying to measure stopping power in kilojoules, which is the wrong approach. It simply doesn't correlate in any direct way with energy It's been popular to try since the early days of smokeless propellants, but it often leads to disappointment. In large game hunting, John Taylor is famous for having come up with his KO values. In other situations, nobody's ever come up with a suitable surrogate marker.

It's theoretically difficult to come up with a good measure because, obviously, people get shot in individual anatomical ways. Both the permanent wound channel and the temporary wound channel have to be taken into consideration.

Answer 4

the stopping power of a bullet depends on the bullet type and  the speed of the bullet . also the bullet weight. a heavy object which travels a certain speed and tumbles on impact will cause a larger wound channel., however if it travelling too fast it will have exited the body before it can start to tumble or expand and cause a lesser wound. It is a delicate balance between all factors and a different weight or shape of bullet may work better at specified velocities and distances than another. I haven't gone into formulas or anything as I find a simpler explanation is best,

Answer 5

Yes, The faster, higher velocity, a round is fired, the more energy is imparted on the target, sometimes.  If the round passes through the target, without expending all of it's energy, then a less than satisfactory result could result.  Civilians solve this problem with hollow point, or fragmentary ammunition.  The military is restricted to FMJ.  It is therefore more critical that the round selected, be matched to the target for maximum energy delivery.   I do not think that you could get a .22, to deliver the energy of a BMG.  There are limits on the amount of heat a round can withstand.  You would be essentially be firing a molten ball of lead, or worse, vaporizing the lead into the atmosphere you breath.

Answer 6

First, the 50 BMG, Browning machine Gun cartridge is classified as an Anti-Material weapon. Yes it has been targeted on individuals due to circumstances. You can't compare the 7.62 NATO to the 50 BMG they are not the same other than they are both bullet flying out of a rifled barrel.168/173/173 grain bullets are inferior to 760 or whatever grain bullets at relatively the same speed. OK< Your right.

Answer 7

My M-14 kicks butt and that's all I need to know.

But I usually use a bolt action when I go hunting and mean it...