Hatcher's Notebook, Revised Edition - Classic Firearms Reference Book for Gun Enthusiasts & Collectors | Perfect for Historical Research, Gunsmithing & Shooting Sports

Long before "Myth Busters" Julian S. Hatcher tested such issues as whether a bullet fired vertically will cause serious harm on its descent to earth. [.45 caliber bullets may hurt but won't cause serious injury. On the other hand a .30'06 rifle bullet can be lethal on descent due to its greater mass and greater G1 (that's G1 not GI) ballistic coefficient.] He tested the danger involved in an uncontained cartridge firing. He covers such subjects as: the developmental history of ballistic coefficients for projectiles and how to calculate bullet velocity at any range based on muzzle velocity and the bullets G1 ballistic coefficient; characteristics of burning gunpowder and its attendant pressure curves in the barrel; rotation rate of the bullet due to rifling; dangers involved in the storage of large amounts of gun powder and the massive damage capability of improperly stored gunpowder. This is just one of a myriad of subjects Hatcher covers. In some cases his information has been superseded due to analyses made possible by technological improvements in testing. In other cases his treatment of the subject matter is still relevant today. In any case, it reveals a man with phenomenal expertise in firearms made possible by his involvement in firearms development throughout his career with the US Army's Ordnance Department and his participation in competitive shooting events. It's fascinating reading and a classic treatise on firearms that is a must-have for understanding characteristics of firearms subject matter.