Blunt Force Trauma...From Elephant Guns (Would You Survive???)

Published on June 16, 2022
Duration: 23:31

This video tests the blunt force trauma effects of high-caliber 'elephant guns' on Level IV body armor using a realistic zombie torso. While some rounds penetrated the armor, even those stopped caused significant internal damage, shattering ribs and organs. The experiment highlights that stopping a projectile doesn't guarantee survival due to extreme energy transfer.

Quick Summary

Level IV body armor can be defeated by high-caliber rounds like .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. Even when armor stops a projectile, the massive energy transfer from calibers like .500 and .600 Nitro Express can cause catastrophic internal trauma, including shattered ribs and organs, potentially proving lethal.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Elephant Guns vs. Body Armor
  2. 04:52Baseline: 5.56 NATO Test
  3. 07:23.416 Rigby Penetration Test
  4. 09:41.458 Lott Trauma Test
  5. 12:57.500 Nitro Express Blunt Force Trauma
  6. 16:57.600 Nitro Express Catastrophic Damage
  7. 19:12Bonus: Head Trauma Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Level IV body armor stop 'elephant guns'?

Level IV body armor can stop some large caliber rounds, but high-power solid projectiles like those from .416 Rigby and .458 Lott can penetrate. Even when stopped, the extreme energy transfer causes significant blunt force trauma, potentially lethal.

What is blunt force trauma in ballistic testing?

Blunt force trauma refers to the internal injuries caused by the impact of a projectile, even if it doesn't fully penetrate. This includes shattered bones, organ damage, and severe tissue disruption due to the immense energy transfer.

Which calibers were tested against body armor?

The test included 5.56 NATO as a baseline, followed by high-caliber 'elephant guns': .416 Rigby, .458 Lott, .500 Nitro Express, and .600 Nitro Express, evaluating their impact on Level IV body armor and a ballistic dummy.

Does stopping a bullet guarantee survival?

No, stopping a bullet does not guarantee survival. The massive energy transfer from powerful rounds can cause severe blunt force trauma, leading to fatal internal injuries like shattered ribs, vertebrae, and organ damage, even if the armor holds.

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