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Emily Hare

Mrs. Stevens & Mrs. Radcliffe

Physical Science

13 January 2017

What is the Difference in Muzzle Velocity Between a Rifle and a Shotgun?

My dad was in the Marine Corps (but he always says Once a Marine, always a

Marine). He has been hunting since he was younger than me. Many members of my family

love hunting. I decided I wanted to do my experiment on guns because hunting and shooting

are things my family loves to do. If I compare the muzzle velocities of a rifle and a shotgun,

then the rifle will have a higher muzzle velocity than the shotgun.

What is Muzzle Velocity?

Muzzle velocity is the speed that a bullet leaves the barrel of a gun (Muzzle). Muzzle

velocity can be affected by multiple things. The bullets mass, the length of the barrel, and the

amount and condition of the propellant can affect muzzle velocity. High muzzle velocity can

result from a long barrel. High muzzle velocity can also result from a light bullet and quick

burning propellant (What).

What are the Differences Between a Rifle and a Shotgun?

There are many differences between rifles and shotguns. The barrel and the types of

ammunition are the biggest differences. Rifle barrels are long. They have thick walls with

grooves called rifling cut into them. Shotgun barrels are long and very smooth. The smooth

walls cause no friction whatsoever. The walls of the barrel are very thin because they dont

have to withstand as much pressure as a rifle (Idaho).

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What are the Differences Between Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition?

There are three sections in rifle bullets. The sections are the primer, the propellant, and

the bullet proper. The primer acts like a spark and starts everything else. The propellant gives

the bullet power to go from the barrel of the rifle to the target. The bullet proper has a tapered

point. It has little air resistance and it pierces the target (Woodford). Shotgun shells are filled

with shot. Shot are little balls made of metal. The types of metals used are lead, steel, bismuth,

tin, and zinc (Coustan).

What Parts of a Gun Affect Muzzle Velocity?

The barrel of a gun can affect muzzle velocity. If the barrel is longer, the muzzle

velocity will be higher. If the barrel is shorter, the muzzle velocity will be lower. The weapon

caliber and the type of ammunition can also affect muzzle velocity. The theory is that you lose

twenty-five feet per second with every inch shorter the barrel is (How).

What is the Most Effective Way to Measure Muzzle Velocity?

One of the most effective ways to measure muzzle velocity is a chronograph (Litz). A

chronograph is a tool that is used to measure and record time very precisely

(Merriam-Webster). Different chronographs measure muzzle velocity in different ways.

Accuracy is a chronographs ability to measure the real average velocity in a string of shots.

Precision is a chronographs ability to identify the true extreme spread and standard departure

in a string of shots. Chronographs can have high accuracy and low precision. They can also

have low accuracy and high precision (Litz).

What is Kinematics? And how does it Relate to Muzzle Velocity?

Kinematics is a branch of physics. It helps determine motion (Kinematics). Kinematics

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can help determine muzzle velocity. There are multiple different Kinematic equations. The

Kinematic equation for distance can be rewritten to solve for time.

If I compare the muzzle velocities of a rifle and a shotgun, then the rifle will have a

higher muzzle velocity than the shotgun. During this project I learned a lot more about guns. I

learned that the main difference between rifles and shotguns are the barrels. I discovered the

parts of a gun that can affect muzzle velocity. I also learned what a chronograph is and how to

use one. Overall, I learned a lot more about an activity that my family loves.
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Works Cited

Coustan, Dave. "How Shotguns Work." HowStuffWorks Science. HowStuffWorks, n.d. Web.

05 Jan. 2017.

Hare, David. "What Is The Difference In Muzzle Velocity Between A Rifle And A Shotgun?"

Online interview. 28 Nov. 2016.

"How Does Barrel Length Affect Muzzle Velocity?" Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.

"Idaho Hunter Ed Course." Differences Between Rifles, Shotguns, and Handguns | Idaho

Hunting License Study Guide for Online Hunting Safety Course. Kalkomey Enterprises,

Inc., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.

Litz, Bryan. "Measuring Muzzle Velocity." Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting.

Vol. 1. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 2. Web. 5 Jan. 2017.

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017.

"Muzzle Velocity." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.

The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. "Kinematics." Encyclopdia Britannica.

Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc., 02 Apr. 2009. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.

"What Is a Muzzle Velocity?" Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.

Woodford, Chris. "How Do Bullets Work?" Explain That Stuff. N.p., 01 Sept. 2016. Web. 05

Jan. 2017.