by 
sprky777
ANSWERS: 4
-
tanks use APFSDS ammo for long range shots against targets at 2000 yards or more. couldn't sniper rifles use similar technology? APFSDS means armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot. instead of the usual spin stabilized bullets a fin stabilized projectile will reach higher velocities without the drag caused by a rifled barrel.
-
Ever heard the term don't fix it if it aint broke? TWO weaknesses smoothbore rifle's have are #1. its inability to stabilize a projectile through twist AND #2. decreased projectile velocity. Rifling increases pressure in the barrel resulting in higher velocities while reducing barrel mass and breech weight associated with higher velocity smoothbore powder loads (higher pressures are needed to produce higher velocities). Higher velocities equals higher penetration through energy transfer at impact. One of the reasons you don't get such a dramatic recoil in a smoothbore is the pressures are usually much lower than in the smoothbore. Also a smoothbore capable of higher velocities is much heavier, thereby reducing recoil. One more thing I observed from working with finned projectiles is that they have a tendency to slightly fishtail within the first fifty feet after leaving the barrel, not exactly a precursor to accuracy. USAF Aero Ballistics Research tech 87-92
-
Sniper rifles don't shoot long darts with tail fins.
-
Long story short, a small-arm sized APFSDS round would not have enough mass to keep energy or avoid being blown off-course by crosswinds at any range where a sniper rifle would be preferable to a crossbow. An Abrams launches a bigger, heavier round that can actually deliver some kinetic energy where the gun is aimed at range. Accordingly, spin-stabilization is the only way to go, and rifling is the best way to spin a bullet.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC