Author Topic: Blended metal bullets (Read 470 times)

SunTracker · « **on:** July 16, 2004, 03:06:00 PM »

How are blended metal bullets performing in Iraq? I saw the test video of the bullet, and heard of its first combat test, but nothing since.

mauser · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2004, 04:40:25 PM »

Do a search on sites like http://www.tacticalforums.com (under Terminal Ballistics), http://www.ar15.com (has an ammo section), http://www.lightfighter.net (under weapons systems), http://www.socnet.com (the weapons forum) and on http://www.professionalsoldiers.com. There have been heated arguments about "blended metal" ammunition. It was NOT used by regular military units as the ammunition has NOT been approved for use. It is claimed that the ammunition is specially designed to punch through steel plate and expand in the target's body. It was claimed that the material can "sense" the temperature difference between a cold steel plate and a 98.6 F body. I haven't seen any explanations of what would happen if the steel plate is hotter than a person's body. Also, folks in the ballistics community say the same penetrating effects can be had with really light bullets shot at very high velocities. Essentially, one side has put up the BS flag (ballistics community) while the other (some possible end-users) claims the ballistics community doesn't know wtf they are talking about because they don't have combat experience, or do not like Stan Bulmer (who "developed" this ammunition) personally.

Last I heard Bulmer was making attempts at showing what his rounds can do via following the accepted methods of testing ammunition for terminal performance. However it doesn't look like he's tried hard enough, despite receiving guidance on the methods. Frankly I don't believe the claims made either, but if he can legitimately prove the rounds work the way he says they do then it would be another step in the development of small arms ammunition.

mauser

Saintaw · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:41:41 PM »

It can "sense" heat tempearature?

Does it have an inbuilt chip? If not how does it perform in cold/warm conditions (how does it make the difference?)

mauser · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2004, 06:12:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saintaw
It can "sense" heat tempearature?

Does it have an inbuilt chip? If not how does it perform in cold/warm conditions (how does it make the difference?)

That's the claim Saw... it's supposed to be the "blended metal" material. Note that I wondered the same thing (and if you dig into the numerous posts in those forums, that question was asked also). When the bullet itself is pretty hot after getting ejected by hot gasses through a steel barrel (friction), I'm not sure how something can tell between such comparatively low temperatures. Like I said, some have raised the BS flag...

mauser

SunTracker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2004, 06:49:58 PM »

Whether or not it can sense temperature, I saw a single 5.56mm blended metal bullet totally disentegrate a large ham. Let me see if I can dig up the video.

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/bullets/

mauser · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2004, 07:57:51 PM »

I heard about that ham test SunTracker. Here are a few threads from Tactical Forums:

http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=000563#000000

http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=000444#000017

http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=000630#000005

Read them through carefully. A ham does not necessarily equate to live human flesh.

mauser

Saintaw · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2004, 03:05:53 AM »

Thx Mauser

PS: The exploding ham video must be a good sellout in the ME

Martlet · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2004, 06:26:38 AM »

I've been following this for a bit, too, and it doesn't make sense.

From what I've read the bullet doesn't really "sense" the change. The blended metal in the bullet supposedly reacts differently to different temperatures. I've never used it, but it certainly raises some questions.

Wouldn't metal sensitive to such small temperature changes react to air temperature changes also? What about firing temperature?

I'd love to hear it REALLY explained.

Nilsen · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2004, 06:55:58 AM »

Any of you see the tests they did with laser guided 12,7mm ammo?
Cool stuff, and it works at long ranges. The tip of the bullet senses the laser and moves so that you dont need fins on the bullet...only the "rotating" head. Expensive bullets but i know they have tested them at a place called Rena here in norway and they are made by a company called Nammo.

DieAz · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2004, 08:26:18 AM »

this bullet sounds like a Winchester Silver Tip used for varmint hunting.
at hyper velocities, hitting something like steel it should make a hole straight through, since the steel tensile strength could prevent the bullet from flying apart like a grenade , while making a hole.
on the other hand, shooting at soft bodies, there isn't anything to confine the bullet on impact, and it should explode like a grenade.

I might be wrong, but it is what it sounds like to me.

yes I use Winchester SilverTips, when I go hunting. (94 Winchester Lever action .30-.30 )
praticed and tested on a gallon sized milk jug full of water. results , on front side not much damage other than the one small entrance hole.
on the sides, top, bottom, and back of jug, never found them. blew those sides to complete shredded nothingness.

Saintaw · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2004, 12:57:27 AM »

Werewolf varmint?