Muzzle Velocity of Bullets

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It may be necessary to measure and document the muzzle velocity of a fired bullet using a scientific and reproducible technique. In this measurement, a chronograph functions as a kind of electronic stopwatch for timing the speed of a bullet in flight (usually in feet per second). The chronograph is useful for shooting reconstructions, short distance bullet path determinations, and long distance trajectory analyses.

Chronographs

Outdoor field with a series of triangular frames in line with a target, past a rifle and measuring devices.

Oehler Research's Model 35P chronograph
with printer & 3 Skyscreen III sensors

Chronographs are designed to sense the passage of a bullet past two sensors separated by a known distance, typically two to four feet. The sensors react to a change in light level as a bullet passes through. These sensors are referred to as screens or skyscreens and establish the known distance by their placement on a bar or rail. The shooter fires through the v-shaped arms of the sensors. Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation, the distance from the muzzle to the first sensor is normally eight to fifteen feet. This prevents the effects of muzzle blast (or muzzle wave) and false readings from gunshot residues passing between the arms of the screen.

As the bullet passes each sensor, information is gathered by a specialized microprocessor that calculates and stores the time data. The muzzle velocity for each shot is calculated based on the distance between the sensors. When a string of test shots are made using the same ammunition and firearm, the microprocessor will calculate and print out a detailed report on the string of shots.

Depending on brand, this data may include

highest velocity recorded,
lowest velocity recorded,
spread of the high and low velocities,
average velocity,
standard deviation.

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