Hatcher's tests indicated that the falling rifle bullets were still spin stabilized and fell base first. I believe we've also had a roofer or two comment on finding bullets buried base first in shingles.
A spin stabilized projectile falling nose or base first would have a terminal velocity much higher than a tumbling projectile. I believe Hatcher put the number around 300fps as have other tests using spin-stabilized projectiles, IIRC.
I did find it interesting that the 9mm pistol bullets weren't spin-stabilized by the time they hit the ground. That wasn't what I was expecting.
A spin stabilized projectile falling nose or base first would have a terminal velocity much higher than a tumbling projectile. I believe Hatcher put the number around 300fps as have other tests using spin-stabilized projectiles, IIRC.
I did find it interesting that the 9mm pistol bullets weren't spin-stabilized by the time they hit the ground. That wasn't what I was expecting.
