Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
Subject: Most Damage. Lead or Brass Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:08 pm
I was just wondering which bullet head would cause the most damaged to the human body on impact. I’m thinking lead being softer would break-up and spread causing much wider damage that the Brass Head which would remain in one piece thus leaving in one piece.
Or once again I could be wrong.
Neil Aspinshaw
Posts : 552 Join date : 2009-10-14 Location : Loughborough
Subject: Re: Most Damage. Lead or Brass Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:59 pm
Dave Bullet heads are not made of brass. The first Lee Metford rounds were Nickle jacketed lead, later and since copper jacket.
A lead bullet will squash out on inpacy inflicting an horrendous wound.
The lack of stopping power of jacketed .303" caused discontent in the Sudan, hence the adoption of hollow nosed bullets made at the Asenal at Dum-Dum, which effected expansion of the jacketed round on impact.
joe
Posts : 600 Join date : 2010-01-07 Location : UK
Subject: Re: Most Damage. Lead or Brass Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:07 pm
Hi Neil, You said that a lead bullet would squash on impact, does this only happen if it its bone?
thanks joe
Dave
Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21
Subject: Re: Most Damage. Lead or Brass Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:08 pm
Thanks for your replies. What type would have been used at Isandlwana.
littlehand
Posts : 7077 Join date : 2009-04-24 Age : 52 Location : Down South.
Subject: Re: Most Damage. Lead or Brass Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:43 pm
Dave. Lead was used at Isandlwana. "The .577 Martini-Henry bullet was a real man-killer, large and heavy enough to knock a big man off his feet even when striking a limb, and produced horrific wounds, shattering bones and shredding flesh."