Exploding bullets

Less common and unusual projectiles, such as exploding bullets saboted subcaliber bullets flare loads wax, rubber, plastic, and wooden bullets frangible bullets tear gas bullets and canisters baton rounds flechette cartridges poisoned bullets multiple loads shot loads for pistols and revolvers and other special purpose projectile types, are known and are occasionally encountered in forensic casework. 

Exploding bullets are not a recent concept. About the middle of the nineteenth century two types of exploding rifle bullets were invented, one using a percussion cap and black powder and the other using mercury fulminate. Figure 11.5 illustrates both types. 

The assassination attempt on President Reagan involved the use of Devastator exploding bullets. These consisted of standard 0.22 LR caliber, copper-coated lead hollow point bullets, modified by deep drilling to accept a tiny aluminum alloy canister containing about 24 mg of lead azide. Nitrocellulose lacquer was used to seal the base of the canister. RDX explosive was originally used in these loads but was replaced by lead azide.76,77... 

A new line of pistol atnmunition with exploding bullets is now manufactured and marketed by Velex Inc., N. 6809 Lincoln, Spokane, Washington 99208. (509) 326-5283 phone. 

Velet Anmo Co. is now selling Mercury filled exploding bullets.See Issue j 3,pg.36 for address. 

The pseudo-LOX of liq methane-liq oxygen are exploded by bullet impact (Ref 20)... 

PrN03 was the most bullet-sensitive. It was exploded by all three types of ammunition. Hydrazine and Hydrazine Nitrate solution were exploded by the HE ammunition but not by incendiary and HE incendiary ammunition... 

Rifle Bullet Test — explodes when hit from a distance up to ca 60 paces. Less sensitive than straight NG (Ref 15, p277)... 

Cronquist [81] has found that a mixture containing both liquid and crystalline nitroglycerine is more sensitive to shock than either of them alone. This is thought to be the result of friction between the sensitive liquid and the crystals. Nitroglycerine readily explodes on impact with a rifle bullet. 

These water-slurry compns were satisfactory with respect to propagation, strength, stability, and failure to be exploded by rifle bullet impacts. Hoses loaded with them withstood rough handling and were flexible easily manipulated. Explosive streamers, for the Mark 29 Mine, loaded with these expl slurries were unsatisfactory only with respect to their densities. The overall density of a Mark 29 streamer has to be 1.04g/cc for proper buoyancy. However, non-buoyant streamers loaded with Compositions... 

Rifle bullet impact sensitivity. Picatinny Arsenal tfeta (Ref 150) shows 100% explosions (total or partial) in 5 trials. According to Vivas et al (Ref 64, p 286) and Perez Pardo (Ref 22, p 341), RDX does not actually explode from the impact of bullets, but rather partially deflagrates, while PETN under the same conditions detonates completely... 

Another similar design contains a firing pin which on impact detonates 0.42 g of mercury fulminate (42%) and potassium chlorate (58%) mixture. An exploding/incendiary bullet with its own firing pin was also developed,... 

A further design of exploding rifle bullet, without a firing pin, contained a primer with 40 mg mercury fulminate in the nose of the bullet which on impact ignited compressed black powder and this in turn detonated a metal cup containing an explosive mixture of potassium chlorate (56%) and antimony sulfide (44%). PETN explosive has also been used in exploding rifle bullets. 

The projectile impact sensitivity is the reaction of an explosive charge if hit by infantry projectiles. Impact safety is given if the charge does not fully explode at impact. The projectile impact sensitivity does not only depend on the type of explosive itself, but also on the nature of its confinement (metallic, plastic, thin-walled, or thick-walled). A single bullet impact by an ordinary or a hard steel cored projectile, or a machine gun burst, will create different reactions. 

Ednafive is a castable HE composed of EDNA 50 8c Fivonite (Tetramethylolcyclo-pentanone Tettanitrate) 50 + 1% catechol. Its power is 130% TNT by Ballistic Mortar Test and brisance by PDT (Plate Dent Test) is 111% of TNT. In the Bullet Impact Test of 15 1-inch pipe nipples, 9 samples were not affected and 6 partially exploded. A 60/40 Ednafive mixt in the same latter test of 13 nipples showed 5 samples not affected, 7 exploding and 1 detonating high order in a welded can the test of 5 samples showed 5 partially exploding... 

Ammonium picrate forms bright yellow scales, or orthorhombic crystals, which are insoluble in water. The crystals explode easily from heat, shock, friction, fire, and percussion. Ammonium picrate is commonly used in priming compositions for bullets and the like, initiation compositions for blasting caps and detonators, high performance rocket propellants, and fireworks and other pyrotechnic compositions. Ammonium picrate should be stored submerged in kerosene. ... 

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