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

Published on June 16, 2022
Duration: 23:31

This expert guide details the testing of high-caliber 'elephant guns' against Level IV body armor, demonstrating blunt force trauma potential. Lead Firearms Instructor Scott from Kentucky Ballistics uses a ballistic dummy to visualize catastrophic internal damage, even when armor stops the projectile. The tests highlight that while armor may prevent penetration, extreme energy transfer can still be lethal.

Quick Summary

Expert Scott from Kentucky Ballistics tests high-caliber 'elephant guns' against Level IV body armor. While the armor stopped rounds like the .500 Nitro Express, the massive energy transfer caused lethal blunt force trauma, shattering bones and organs, demonstrating that stopping a projectile doesn't guarantee survival.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Experiment Overview
  2. 04:52Baseline Test: 5.56 NATO
  3. 07:23Testing .416 Rigby
  4. 09:41Testing .458 Lott
  5. 12:57Testing .500 Nitro Express
  6. 16:57Testing .600 Nitro Express
  7. 19:12Bonus Round: Head Trauma

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Level IV body armor stop an elephant gun round?

Level IV body armor can stop many high-caliber rifle rounds, but extremely powerful cartridges like the .500 Nitro Express and .600 Nitro Express, even when stopped, can cause lethal blunt force trauma due to massive energy transfer, shattering bones and organs.

What is blunt force trauma in the context of firearms?

Blunt force trauma from firearms occurs when the sheer energy of a projectile impacts a target, causing severe internal damage like broken bones, organ rupture, and shockwaves, even if the projectile itself doesn't penetrate the body or armor.

Which rifle calibers penetrated Level IV body armor in the test?

In the Kentucky Ballistics test, solid brass projectiles from the .416 Rigby (400 grain) and .458 Lott (500 grain) calibers completely penetrated the Level IV body armor and the ballistic dummy.

What happens when Level IV armor stops a powerful rifle round?

When Level IV armor stops a powerful round like the .500 Nitro Express or .600 Nitro Express, the immense energy transfer can still cause catastrophic blunt force trauma, leading to severe internal injuries such as shattered ribs, punctured lungs, and fractured vertebrae.

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