Shotgun Ballistics SUBJECT FORENSIC SCIENCE
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SUBJECT FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. and Title PAPER No. 6: Forensic Ballistics Module No. and Title MODULE No. 25: Shotgun Ballistics Module Tag FSC_P6_M25 FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Learning Outcomes 2. Introduction to Shotguns 3. Shotgun Ballistics 4. Shotgun Cartridge 5. Firing Mechanism of Shotguns 6. Recoil 7. Jumps and Vibrations 8. Pellet Spread Patterns 9. Strength of the Firearm 10. Stringing 11. Wounding Power 12. Summary FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics 1. Learning Outcomes After studying this module, you shall be able to know – About Shotguns and its ballistics Brief introduction to the mechanism of shotgun Factors involved in the shotgun ballistics 2. Introduction to Shotguns Shotguns are Smooth Bore (i.e., have a smooth barrel) firearms. They generally fires multiple projectiles called as “pellets” instead of single projectile as in case of Rifles. However, some shotguns are capable of firing single projectile known as “Slugs”. Shotguns can be either single-barreled or double-barrelled. Further, the Single-barreled shotguns can either be single-shot, pump action (by which a slide under the barrel slides along to put another cartridge in the chamber) or automatic. Whereas, the Double barreled shotguns can have their two barrels either adjacent (Side by Side type) or one on top of the other (Over and under type). Sawn-off shotguns have their barrels sawn short so they can be carried more discreetly. They are also less accurate. Usually a shotgun is a short range firearm because of the dispersal of pellets at certain distance resulting the decreasing of its effectiveness for long range targets. However, it is highly destructive at short ranges, though it is almost ineffective beyond 100 meters. It, ordinarily, fires a number of projectiles which spread in an increasing area with increasing range. The aim, therefore, needs not be so critically accurate. FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics 3. Shotgun Ballistics Shotguns are designated by the size of the bore. Thus we have 8 bore, 10 bore, 12 bore, 16 bore, 20 bore and other bore guns. They have varying diameters. The 12 bore shotgun is the most popular shotgun. It strikes a balance between the weight and the effectiveness of the weapons. Formerly, it was believed that the length of the barrel adds to the wounding powder of a firearm. Most of the shotguns, therefore, had barrels over 90 centimeters. A lot of research and experimental work has proved that the combustion of the propellants is most complete with shorter barrels of 40 centimeters. There is no material difference in the velocity and hence in the striking power of the projectiles when the barrel length was reduced. Now most of the shotguns have barrel length less than 75 centimeters. The following features are important ballistically. 4. Shotgun Cartridge The Cartridge of shotguns is unique and not as same as normal Cartridges of Rifled firearms. FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics Unlike a Rifled Cartridge which is a pointed one, a Shotgun Cartridge is a barrel shaped structure having compartments for containing pellets and propellants separately. Three types of Wads present in the Shotgun Cartridge which are: 1. Overshot Wad – This wad prevents the escaping of pellets from the uppermost crease of the cartridge. 2. Undershot Wad – This wad is placed just below the pellets for the same purpose of preventing leakage of pellets. 3. Air Cushion Wad – This wad has a most important role in a Shotgun Cartridge as it checks the escaping of gases produced by the burning of propellants. 4. Over charge wad – this wad is placed over the propellants in order to prevent the movement of propellants from its compartment. 5. Firing Mechanism of a Shotgun A Shotgun has a most simple mechanism which contains very basic but important parts which are: 1. Barrel: Barrel of a firearm is one of the most important parts which facilitate the movement of the projectile. It also provides a space for the expansion of gases. The barrel of Shotguns are smooth bored, i.e., no rifling. 2. Chamber: Chamber is present at the Breech end of the firearm where the cartridge is housed. The cartridge rests in the chamber and trapped by its ‘Rim’. 3. Bore: It is the number indicating the size of the internal cross sectional diameter of the barrel, i.e., the number of spherical lead balls exactly fitting inside the barrel and together weighing exactly 1 pound. 4. Choke: It is a depression at the muzzle end of the shotgun produced in order to decrease splattering of pellets and increase their range. FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics 5. Action: Action of any firearm consists of mechanism for loading of cartridge, firing, extraction and ejection. 6. Stock: Stock of a firearm is a part which support and hold the internal parts in position. 7. Firing Pin: It is pin like structure which hits the percussion cap of the cartridge case when the trigger is pulled. 6. Recoil Recoil is the forces acting on a fi red weapon which cause a handgun to either gently rotate in the hand or violently bite into the palm, or a rifle to gently push against one’s shoulder or produce a bone - bruising kick. Recoil is an important factor controlling the construction of a shotgun. When the recoil velocity is less than 3 m/sec, the recoil is not troublesome. It is tolerable up to a velocity of 4.5 m/sec. It becomes intolerable beyond 5.5 m/sec. The recoil velocity permits the calculations of the desirable approximate weight of a shotgun:- i.e., Backward momentum = Forward momentum = V x M [Here, V= Muzzle Velocity, M = Weight of Ejecta] = 400 x 35/1000 = 14 units If weight of the gun ‘W’ is to be found when the velocity of recoil is 4.5 m/sec (the velocity which does not give ‘gun-sickness’) we have:- W x 4.5 = 14 Or, FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics W = 14 / 4.5 = 3.1Kg ≈ 3 Kg. Lighter guns are becoming popular. They give either greater recoil or the charge is reduced suitably to bring down the recoil. The recoil, however, can be reduced by a suitable compensator. The heavier guns are going out of fashion and they are on the way out. 7. Jumps and Vibrations The jump and vibrations in a shotgun may disturb the aim. They have to be controlled. When a gun is fired, the breech jumps upward. Consequently, the muzzle dips downward. By the time the projectile charge reaches the muzzle, the reaction wave vibrations push the muzzle somewhat upward and the projectile, theoretically strikes the target at a slightly higher point than the bull’s eye. Ordinarily, the change is only slight and it is compensated. In double –barreled guns there are sideways vibrations also. The time interval from the pressing of the trigger to the ejection of projectiles in shotguns is about 0.008 seconds. The personal factor, therefore, matters little unless the person is nervous. Contrary to popular belief, heavier guns are steadier than the lighter ones. 8. Pellet Spread Patterns The important fact which distinguishes a shotgun from any other firearm is the spreading of pellets which gives a greater coverage of the target area. The area goes on increasing with the increasing range. Thus the aim is not so critical in shotgun shooting as in the case of other firearms. The spread of pellets varies not only with range but also with the choke characteristics of the barrel. The choke not only reduces the spattering but it also makes it more uniform. The effectiveness of a pattern is also studied by its density. It is expressed in terms of percentage of the total number of pellets falling in a circle of 75 centimeters (30”) diameter at a range of 36 meters (40 yards). FORENSIC SCIENCE PAPER No. 6 : Forensic Ballistics MODULE No.25: Shotgun Ballistics Comparisons of the densities with various chokes of a 12 bore barrel are given below: Percentage of the Pellets in 75 cm. circle at various ranges Range in Full Half Quarter Improvised True meters Choke Choke Choke cylinder cylinder 30 90 76 70 64 53 35 74 64 58 53 43 40 62 54 48 43 35 45 51 43 39 34 28 50 41 34 31 27 22 55 32 27 25 22 18 Similar densities in the patterns given by guns of different bores can be achieved by having choke characteristic and different loads. Bore 12 16 Choke Half Full Load 35 g. 28 g. 9. Strength of the Firearm Pressures developed affect the weight and the wounding power of a shotgun. Higher pressure means higher velocity and consequently greater wounding power. But the thickness of the barrel walls and the strength of the action of the firearm have to be increased, increasing the weight of the firearm also. A modern 12 bore cartridge develops a pressure of about 550 Kg. per cm2. It is almost twice the pressure developed by a gunpowder (black powder) cartridge. The shotgun, therefore, meant for gunpowder cartridge cannot be used to fire cartridge containing smokeless propellants. The barrel wall of the shotgun cannot be made very thick as they will increase the weight. Higher velocity for the charge has, therefore, been achieved through progressive powder. They give sustained pressure and consequently increase the muzzle velocities without increasing the peak (highest) pressure.