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Stopping Power Formula:
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Stopping Power is a ballistic measurement that estimates a projectile's ability to incapacitate a target. It combines kinetic energy (KE) with a caliber-specific factor to provide a more comprehensive assessment of terminal ballistic performance.
The calculator uses the Stopping Power formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula multiplies the projectile's kinetic energy by a caliber-specific factor that accounts for bullet diameter, shape, and other ballistic characteristics that influence stopping effectiveness.
Details: Calculating stopping power is crucial for ammunition selection, self-defense planning, hunting applications, and understanding terminal ballistics performance across different firearm platforms.
Tips: Enter kinetic energy in Joules and the appropriate caliber factor. Both values must be positive numbers. Typical caliber factors range from 0.5 to 2.0 depending on bullet design and caliber.
Q1: What is a typical caliber factor for common ammunition?
A: Caliber factors vary significantly. For example, 9mm typically has a factor around 0.8-1.0, while .45 ACP might be 1.2-1.5, and rifle calibers can range higher.
Q2: How is kinetic energy calculated for firearms?
A: KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity², where mass is in kilograms and velocity in meters per second, resulting in Joules.
Q3: Does stopping power guarantee effectiveness?
A: No, stopping power is an estimation tool. Actual effectiveness depends on shot placement, target characteristics, bullet design, and many other factors.
Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: Yes, this simplified formula doesn't account for bullet expansion, penetration depth, tissue damage patterns, or psychological factors that influence stopping effectiveness.
Q5: Should this be used for self-defense ammunition selection?
A: While useful for comparison, actual ammunition selection should consider multiple factors including reliability, penetration testing, and real-world performance data.