Shell and semi-shell bullets - this is an element having a coating of copper alloy or iron. This “shirt” almost completely envelops the surface of the core and acts as a protection for it from changes during operation, charging, as well as from destruction in the grooves of the trunk.
A bit of history
This part better preserves the initial characteristics of the projectile, which perfectly affects the ballistic properties and penetration. Weapons with an all-metal coating became relevant back in the 80s of the 19th century, when there was a great demand for rifles in stores. According to the Hague Agreements of 1899, the use of expansive bullets in military affairs was prohibited, but the shell bullet does not apply to them.
Bullets with a shell that destroys
Due to their structural characteristics, some of the rifle cartridges inflict more serious wounds than others. Not every bullet implies the presence of an all-metal core.
- Despite the fact that British weapons comply with the Hague conventions, bullets can cause massive damage due to the layout. The center of gravity of such a projectile is shifted back, the most important part of the core is made of material of small mass, due to which it unfolds in the presence of an obstacle, thereby creating large wounds. A similar construction has the Soviet 5.45x39 mm, which has a hollow recess in the main zone.
- NATO weapons (7.62x51 mm) use a steel shell bullet instead of copper, due to which destruction begins after an obstacle.
What is this kind of ammo
A shell bullet is an important part of any weapon. The cartridge contains a soft core, mainly made of lead. The bullet is enclosed in a coating of solid types of metal, for example, copper, cupronickel, sometimes it is steel. This shell can be present not only around this element or on some part of it (usually the tail or leading), the head zone is always made of lead. It is called a semi-shell (have a soft tip).
Such a shell makes it possible to obtain higher speeds than lead. In addition, it does not leave many elements of iron inside the trunk. The shell prevents various damage that is caused to the bore by a variety of cores. In comparison with parts with a cover or an expansive recess, the difference is obvious. According to historical data, such a projectile was first made in 1882 by Lieutenant Colonel Eduard Rubin in Switzerland. The shell bullet was originally used as conventional ammunition for 4 years.
Minuses
Shell bullet has a variety of characteristics both in terms of behavior in the barrel, and in general when shooting. Elements with an expansive notch, as well as semi-shell models, are necessary for expansion in a collision, and the shell type has limitations in expansion. In rare situations, this can lead to minimizing damage to a particular object. However, this property does not appear in every case. For example, a NATO cartridge, which is used in M16 / M4 weapons, when colliding with an object, can take an upright position, creating significant wounds.
Characteristics of half-shell bullets
Shell and semi-shell bullet, the differences of which are obvious, are in demand around the world. A projectile having a soft tip refers to expansive bullets of lead, where the shell is made of copper or brass. If you closely compare these ammunition, you can see the obvious difference.
After the invention of cordite, specialists noticed that lead bullets at significant muzzle velocities, which cordite gives, leave many fragments of iron inside the barrel. This situation led to an instant blockage of the trunks, mainly lead. To prevent this, the bullets are wrapped, but due to this, the wounds they inflict will be minimal. However, without prejudice to the barrel, such bullets acquired another plus due to the soft tip, which expands upon collision. The area is being reduced due to the absence of a recess in which hydraulic pressure acts on the lead. Thus, a bullet having a soft tip will expand more slowly.
Comparison of shell and semi-shell options
The use and manufacture of shell bullets is more popular than semi-shell bullets. This is due to the fact that the expansion is weak, therefore, during penetration to a considerable depth, they perform a couple of functions that are not subject to expansive excavation. In some situations, minimal expansion is necessary so that penetration is greater before the bullet begins to slow down rapidly. In other cases, a smooth profile element, according to experts, is better than the concave head of an expansive bullet.
Some modernized models of firearms were created specifically for reliability when introducing expansive bullets into the barrel, but older mechanisms and military models did not have this function. The 7.62 shell bullet is present in many types of military firearms. But there are a significant number of weapons that are not intended for the use of shell bullets. When using expansive ammunition, misfires, as well as delays in the firing process, are not excluded, so now such weapons are used extremely rarely.
The shells used in war are usually marked with JHP. Shell shell models with a flat head are also used as expansive bullets. They are needed for rifles like the Winchester, when bullets are stacked in store one after another. The use of pointed shells in such rifles can be extremely dangerous, because the tip of the tip is located close to the next cartridge, which sometimes leads to detonation under the influence of recoil force. The difference between a shell and a half-shell bullet is an important aspect to consider.
Cartridges for rifled weapons
Cartridges for rifled weapons arose in the 19th century. Initially, the ammunition in it was from lead and without a shell. As long as the weapon used black powder with a relatively low starting speed, a bullet of lead was quite slow. With the appearance of smokeless powder, the starting speed began to increase gradually. Lead, even with the addition of tin or antimony, ceased to please the shooters, so they came up with shells for bullets.
