Mythbusters Film Pistol Shot at 73,000 Frames Per Second
What if you could see a speeding bullet in the milliseconds it exits the muzzle of a pistol? How cool would that be… Well, the Mythbusters folks (Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman) have made that possible. Using an exotic Phantom super-high-speed camera running at 73,000 frames per second, the Mythbusters recorded a .45 ACP bullet being fired from a 1911-type handgun.
Watch Mythbusters Super-Slow-Motion Pistol Video:
What unfolds is spectacular. First you see a ball of flame as the bullet emerges from the barrel of the 1911, then two distinct, separate swirling clouds form as the bullet races toward the target. Watch the video a couple times — it’s mesmerizing.
Co-host Adam Savage is nearly rendered speechless by the remarkable slow-motion footage from the Phantom. Filmed at 73,000 frames per second, the video reveals a dance of pressure and fire that would otherwise be missed by the unaided eye.
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Tags: .45 acp, High Speed, Muzzle, Mythbusters, Phantom, Slomo, Slow Motion
That really is gorgeous footage. I am surprised so much gas is expelled before the bullet exits. That trait, as well as the uniform gasses behind the bullet, seem to serve as a good educational video to show the importance of a good true crown I think.
Impressive footage.
What the heck load are they shooting to get 1200 fps out of a 45 ACP?
The gas leakage around the projectile and just the compression of the gas (air in this case) as the projectile moves up the bore will cause an outflow before the projectile exits.
The effect, when used with bigger guns (artillery and tank guns) could cause havoc with certain types of instrumentation (break wires, break screens, pressure sensors, etc.) attached to the muzzle which were used to measure the firing interval (electrical firing pulse to shot exit). The sensor would either break/trigger early or be blown forwards, all resulting in a false readings. It was an effect you had to take into account if you wanted to measure things correctly.
Interesting that the bullet is long gone before the case apparently releases its grip on the chamber wall and starts to slide rearward.
Also, notice the small vertical gas jet at the breech early in the firing cycle.
I suppose that is a brief puff of gas around the case to the rear before the case wall adequately seals to the chamber wall.
Just a note – Mythbusters has been probably the most gun-friendly program on tv over the years.
The producers and presenters have done a lot of good by de-mythologizing a lot of firearms issues. That’s remarkable and we should let them know we appreciate what they do.