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444 · August 11, 2005, 06:47 AM

"how come rifles got 'em and pistols don't? "

Handguns do produce wound channels. But, one of the big factors in all of this is velocity. Rifle bullets travel faster than pistol bullets. This is why that tiny little 55 grain 5.56 bullet will cause a hell of a lot more damage at close range than does a 124 grain 9mm handgun bullet. The 9mm bullet is over twice as heavy, but the 5.56 bullet is moving over twice as fast.
At close range, rifle bullets will cause horrific wounds whether they expand/fragment or not.

August 11, 2005, 06:47 AM	#7
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	"how come rifles got 'em and pistols don't? " Handguns do produce wound channels. But, one of the big factors in all of this is velocity. Rifle bullets travel faster than pistol bullets. This is why that tiny little 55 grain 5.56 bullet will cause a hell of a lot more damage at close range than does a 124 grain 9mm handgun bullet. The 9mm bullet is over twice as heavy, but the 5.56 bullet is moving over twice as fast. At close range, rifle bullets will cause horrific wounds whether they expand/fragment or not. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.