The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Fuller’s Earth, Secondary Explosive Effect, and How Time Flies

Brian Pfleuger · November 20, 2012, 01:51 PM

It's not bogus but it is a bit mysterious.

Many people thought the secondary pressure spike near the muzzle that can be created under certain conditions was nonsense too... until one man figured out how to reproduce it, and blow the end off rifle barrels.

I suspect that SEE with really low charges is a similar phenomenon. The bullet begins to accelerate but pressure drops rapidly and the bullet's acceleration (not necessarily speed) drops off. The shockwave catches up and a localized ultra-high pressure event is triggered, which propagates through the remaining powder and "BOOM!" It just happens very close to the chamber instead of at the far end of the barrel.

I have no evidence to back it up, but it makes sense in my little brain.

November 20, 2012, 01:51 PM	#18
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	It's not bogus but it is a bit mysterious. Many people thought the secondary pressure spike near the muzzle that can be created under certain conditions was nonsense too... until one man figured out how to reproduce it, and blow the end off rifle barrels. I suspect that SEE with really low charges is a similar phenomenon. The bullet begins to accelerate but pressure drops rapidly and the bullet's acceleration (not necessarily speed) drops off. The shockwave catches up and a localized ultra-high pressure event is triggered, which propagates through the remaining powder and "BOOM!" It just happens very close to the chamber instead of at the far end of the barrel. I have no evidence to back it up, but it makes sense in my little brain. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; November 20, 2012 at 02:13 PM.