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Ft-lb Formula:
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The Ft-lb (foot-pound) formula calculates the kinetic energy of a bullet based on its mass and velocity. This measurement is important in ballistics for understanding the stopping power and effectiveness of ammunition.
The calculator uses the Ft-lb formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates kinetic energy by taking the product of mass and the square of velocity, then dividing by a conversion factor to get foot-pounds.
Details: Calculating bullet energy helps hunters, sport shooters, and law enforcement professionals understand the effectiveness of their ammunition for different purposes, including hunting regulations and self-defense considerations.
Tips: Enter the bullet mass in grains and velocity in feet per second. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why is bullet energy measured in ft-lb?
A: Foot-pound is a standard unit of energy in the imperial system, representing the amount of energy required to move one pound a distance of one foot.
Q2: What is a typical ft-lb value for common ammunition?
A: Common handgun rounds range from 300-600 ft-lb, while rifle rounds can range from 1,000-3,000+ ft-lb depending on caliber and load.
Q3: How does bullet energy relate to stopping power?
A: While energy is one factor, stopping power also depends on bullet design, shot placement, and target characteristics. Higher energy generally correlates with greater potential impact.
Q4: Are there legal requirements for minimum energy in hunting?
A: Many regions have minimum energy requirements for hunting different game animals to ensure ethical and humane kills.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation for real-world scenarios?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum energy calculation. Actual energy delivered may vary due to factors like air resistance, barrel length, and environmental conditions.