muzzle energy

Muzzle energy is the measurement of the kinetic energy of a bullet as it is expelled from the barrel of a firearm. The general formula for the kinetic energy in a coherent system of units, including SI and cgs systems, and the gravitational foot-pound-second and the absolute foot-pound-second system, is:

E = mv²

In SI, mass m is in kilograms and velocity v is in meters per second, giving kinetic energy in joules. For other units, a conversion factor must be added. For example, to get muzzle energy where

E is the muzzle energy of bullet (in foot-pounds force)

v is the velocity of bullet (in feet per second)

m is the mass of bullet (in grains)

The formula is

E = mv²/450437

Typical muzzle energy levels of different types of firearms are:

rowspan="2"\|Firearm !! rowspan="2"\| Caliber !! colspan="2"\| Muzzle Energy
(ft·lbf) !!(J)
air gun	.177	align=right\| 5	align=right\| 7
rifle (LR cartridge)	.22	align=right\| 100	align=right\| 135
rifle	.223	align=right\| 2500	align=right\| 3400
pistol (semi-auto)	9 mm	align=right\| 400	align=right\| 540

Muzzle Energy

See Also