how far will a bullet travel before it runs out of energy & falls to the ground ( 5.56 cal)?

Answer 1

This question cannot be satisfactorily answered without knowing the following parameters:

1. Muzzle velocity
2. Gravitational constant (planet specific)
3. Angle of trajectory

If we assume that the gun is being fired on the Earth at sea level and that it is being shot directly upwards (and atmospheric friction is negligible - i.e., in a vacuum) the only information we need to know is the velocity as it leaves the muzzle. The mass of the bullet is irrelevant as the gravitational energy at the peak of its flight will equal the initial kinetic energy.

If we assume a muzzle velocity of 1000 m/s (high velocity rifle) then we can set up the following equation:

m.g.h = (1/2).m.v^2

g.h = (1/2).v^2

9.81.h = 0.5 x 1000^2

h = (0.5 x 1000000) / 9.81

h = 50968 m or approximately 51 kilometers.

This value is for shots fired in a perfect vacuum; obviously the effects of drag and frictional forces significantly reduce this value.

For a standard handgun (300 m/s) this value is reduced to 4.6 km.

Answer 2

Not Sure but they are accurate to around 300 yards, So maybe 500-700

Answer 3

You'd need to know the mass and velocity. Then work it out from that if you know that gravity will have an effect 9.81m/s^2. Air resistance would also be a factor and it would get even more complicated if you account for air getting thinner and having less effect on resistance the higher it gets. Dunno it's twisting my brain now.

Answer 4

Not sure, but no bullet wil penetrate more than 2 meters in water!!!!

Answer 5

Totally depends on the amount of powder in the cartridge,

Answer 6

45 feet

Answer 7

shouldn't you be aiming to hit something before it runs out of energy??

Answer 8

Anything in its way a body for instance?

Answer 9

check here

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_firearms_ammo_556mm.php