KWSN Orbiting Fortress

Sir Hamster of Elderberry · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: Shoot the Moon

If you stand on the moon and shoot a gun, will it fire just like it was on Earth? What would it take to put the bullet into orbit?

Shoot the Moon

Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

I think the initial velocity would be greater ( muzzle velocity ) and since there is no drag the bullet would travel at that velocity constantly.
Also since the gravity is 1/6th the earth's it would drop at 1/6 th the rate ie: travel further before hitting the ground.

as far as orbiting I suppose it depends on the mass and velocity of the projectile. but I am reasonably sure that a bullet fired from the surface would not orbit.

I have always wondered if you could actually shoot a gun in an airless environment. Does the powder have its own oxidant or is that contained in the casing? I think the latter. #ni-1

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mohrorless · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

Oops, there's a linky?

I see, just a rhetorical Question eh, My Bad Embarassed

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a.k.a. Licentious of Borg.........Resistance Really is Futile.......
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Cow_tipping · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:14 am Post subject:

The article explains that bullet cartridges carry their own oxidizers, but does that include the air normally trapped in between the gunpowder?
If so, that air may have leaked from the cartridge when exposed to the vacuum possibly preventing the bullet from firing.

On the other hand, if the firing cap on the bullet provides enough of a blast to make the powder in the gun react with its bounded oxidizers it would fire like normally I assume.
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Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

Well, I have been thinking ( Dangerous, I know ) but,

Gunpowder is really a very scientific substance, the burn rate is quite slow, relatively speaking, and designed to provide a thrust over time to the projectile. There are different formulas used on different rounds, type of weapon and uses.

So, I am thinking that since the bullet does not have to push the column of air out of the barrel as it moves along it may leave the barrel before the powder has time to provide maximum thrust. That would actually result in a slower muzzle velocity.

I have a .357 S&W and the fireball at the end of the barrel is about the size of a beachball ( at night ) when looking down the barrel, from the side it is more teardrop shaped. mine has a 4.5 inch barrel, However my buddy has the same gun with a 6 inch barrel and the fireball on his is only the size of a basketball. With the same ammo of course. Therefore, his burns more powder and those gasses are in contact with the bullet for a longer time which produces a much higher muzzle velocity, and also a smalller fireball of unburned powder.
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a.k.a. Licentious of Borg.........Resistance Really is Futile.......
and a Really Hoopy Frood who always knows where his Towel is...

Al Dente · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject:

mohrorless · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

I've fired a .357 (6 inch barrel) a few times and I can attest to one hell of a kick.
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Al Dente · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:41 am Post subject:

I used to shoot .22 rifle & pistol (as a competitive sport) in my yoof, which is very controllable. But I went to Bisley (the UK National shooting centre) a couple of times and tried a 9mm (.354) Parabellum - it felt as if it had dislocated my shoulder; certainly my shoulder and wrist were a bit tender for a couple of days after firing a dozen rounds.
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Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

another friend of mine had a 30-30 hunting rifle and I fired 3 rounds. It felt like I was smacked with a baseball bat in the shoulder. I had a bruise the size of a dinner plate on my chest and shoulder.
I handed him the rifle back and said " I don't ever want to see this again" #ni-1

_________________
a.k.a. Licentious of Borg.........Resistance Really is Futile.......
and a Really Hoopy Frood who always knows where his Towel is...

Sir Furry Mark · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:56 am Post subject:

Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:21 am Post subject:

Check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-KaUl_olo

I've never seen them all 6.5 min
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a.k.a. Licentious of Borg.........Resistance Really is Futile.......
and a Really Hoopy Frood who always knows where his Towel is...

mohrorless · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:24 am Post subject:

I have fired a variety of guns through out my life. The Colt .45 (when I was about 10 or so) after 2 shots it nearly came out of my hands (I decided that it would not be a good idea to continue).

I also fired an M1 Carbine (I was about 14 at the time) that a friend of my family had from his days in the Korean War. Holy Sh@t!!!!! 2 shots and it felt like my arm was just about ripped off. Thank God it was winter time out and I had a heavy thick coat on. There would have been a bruise.
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Fetch me the Holy Hand Grenade!

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Taunter in Training
Campaign Manager for Sir Shrubbery

Plus

Al Dente · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

Furry Mark's mention of ACF brought to mind one of those inconsequential remarks that stick with you always.

I was ATS (Air Taining Squadron), and was going for my first flight, in an Auster (only a small step up from the canvas and dope earliest aircraft). I was advised by the pilot (a real "old school" RAF type, handlebar moustache and all) to tuck my trouser-legs into my socks as the wind would proceed up my right leg, around Clapham Junction and down the left; and in so doing it would freeze my b*lls off.

Not particularly relevant, just an ancient memory brought to life.

Al
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PhastPhred · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

Yeah, well back when I was a kid... Laughing

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Sir Furry Mark · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

Sir Hamster of Elderberry · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

Sir Papa Smurph · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

I think that if you do the math on the powder burn rate the answer is no

Saddam's Babylon Gun.