Terminal behaviour of deforming bullets.

Some types of deforming bullets, including soft-point hunting ammunition and so-called shotgun slugs, were fired against blocks of soft soap and against the muscular parts of the hind legs of live, anesthetised pigs. The deformation, breakup, and retardation of the bullets within the targets were recorded by means of a multi-flash X-ray setup. The extent of the soft-tissue damage was evaluated by means of debridement performed by a highly skilled surgeon. The excised tissue was then accurately weighed. The potential to transfer energy of these bullets was, as could be anticipated, extremely high, and the injuries caused were very large. The relations between bullet velocity, construction, deformation, breakup, and the resulting injuries are discussed.