A method for testing bullets at reduced velocity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a safe and effective method for testing bullets at reduced velocities by using sabots and muzzleloading rifles, enabling accurate reconstruction of shooting events at lower speeds.

Contribution

It presents a novel technique for testing bullets at reduced velocities using sabots and muzzleloaders, expanding testing capabilities beyond traditional cartridge firearms.

Findings

Allows testing at velocities from 700 ft/s to 2000 ft/s

Enables safe and adjustable powder charges for velocity control

Applicable to both pistol and rifle bullets

Abstract

Reconstruction of shooting events occasionally requires testing of bullets at velocities significantly below the typical muzzle velocity of cartridge arms. Trajectory, drag, and terminal performance depend strongly on velocity, and realistic results require accurately reconstructing the velocity. A method is presented for testing bullets at reduced velocities by loading the bullet into a sabot and firing from a muzzle loading rifle with a suitably reduced powder charge. Powder charges can be safely reduced to any desirable level when shooting saboted bullets from a muzzleloader; in contrast, cartridge arms can only be safely operated within a narrow window of powder charges/muzzle velocities. This technique is applicable to a wide range of both pistol and rifle bullets at velocities from 700 ft/s to 2000 ft/s.