External

2. External (Exterior) Ballistics
 Treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile
after leaving the gun muzzle.
 From after leaving the muzzle to before immediately
hitting the target
 The study of the passage of the projectile through
space or the air
 The primary factors that govern external ballistics are
the weight and shape of the bullet .

3. Muzzle Blast - the noise created at the muzzle point;
Muzzle Energy - the energy generated at the muzzle point.
IT INVOLES THE FOLLOWING
Conditions of the bullet in flight
Yaw - it is the tumbling motion of the bullet in flight;

4. Precession - it is the rotating movement of the bullet;
Nutation - refers to the unsteady movement of the bullet
or wobbling movement of the bullet;

5. Trajectory - refers to the steady-flight or parabola-like
flight of the bullet; (the actual curve path)
Stages of trajectory:
A. Straight horizontal line
B. Parabola like flight
C. Vertical drop (Reason:
Pull of Gravity)

6. RANGE
It refers to the imaginary straight distance
between the muzzle of the gun and the target
Accurate Range – shooter has control of his shots
Effective Range – bullet was fired it is still capable of
inflicting fatal injury (Lethal Range)
Maximum Range – farthest distance the bullet can travel
Maximum Effective Range – farthest distance that the
bullet can inflict fatal injury
Point Blank Range - A shot fired so closed to the target that
no sighting is necessary for effective aiming.

7. Maximum Point Blank Range – Farthest distance the bullet will path stays within critical zone. In other
words the maximum range at which you don't have to adjust your point of aim to hit the target's vital
zone
VELOCITY
Refers to the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per unit of time usually express
is feet per second (ft/sec.)
PULL OF GRAVITY
It is the downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth surface due to its weight.
AIR RESISTANCE
Refers to the force of the air encounter by the bullet in its
flight
PENETRATION – the entry of the bullet in the target.
RICOCHET – the bouncing of a projectile after hitting a surface.

8. Note; BALLISTIC COEFFICIENT – This describes the ability of a bullet to maintain its
velocity against air resistance.
DRIFT - is the curve taken by the bullet while in flight. A right hand rifling curves to
the right while that of the left and rifling curves to the left.
GYROSCOPIC ACTION - refers to the stillness of its rotating motion and attained
its highest momentum or stability in flight and penetrating power.
YAW - the unstable rotating motion of a bullet.
TUMBLE – rotation of the bullet around the center
WOBBLE - The unsteady and uneven spin or rotation of a bullet; usually caused
by insufficient twist in the rifle barrel
KEYHOLE SHOT - the tumbling of the bullet in its flight and hitting the target
sideways as a result of not spinning on its axis.
TANDEM BULLET – two or more bullet leaving the barrel one after another

9. Thank
you