A technical response from a true expert. >>> "David M. Gross" [email protected]> 02/02/09 11:21 PM >> ( >>> mailto:[email protected]> ) Actually, Joe, the distinction between "small-bore" and "high power" is simply the difference between .22 rimfire (and, now, maybe, .17 rimfire) and all/any center fire cartridge. This is USUALLY associated with larger case capacity and, therefore, the amount of energy contained in the powder charge (chemically generated through the rapid conversion of solids into gases). Therefore, a .22 rimfire has a limited powder charge of, perhaps, 1.5 grains of powder; although it is a fairly "high intensity" cartridge in terms of the pressure at which it operates. A .223 has the same bore diameter, but uses a powder charge of approximately 26 grains of powder (center fire ignition) and can be topped with a 40 grain (jacketed) projectile, which is the same weight of the projectile in the "standard" .22 long rifle cartridge. The difference in the velocities, however, is dramatic. Whether you measure energy difference by squaring the velocity and dividing by 2, or measure the "power" by concentrating on the momentum (a linear function of the velocity) and the amount of work it can do (force times distance), it is clear that it is the powder capacity and the fact that utilizing that capacity effectively requires a center fire ignition forms the basis of an easily applicable demarcation between the two. Further distinctions within the "high power" classification are largely based on the powder capacity within the center fire genre: "full power," "mid-power," and "low power." Interestingly, all the so-called "assault rifle" cartridges (8mm, 7.62 x 39, .223) use ABOUT the same 26 grains of powder as compared with the full power cartridges which use about 50 grains, or, roughly, twice as much powder. And, interestingly, you'll find general agreement that the full power (full rifle power) cartridges are considered to be roughly 40% more powerful than their "mid-range" cousins. Something about physics and the square root of 2 (the chemical energy available in twice as much powder). It is useless to use a broad brush classification applicable only to competitive shooting for the purpose of making any technical evaluations or social judgments in another context. It is comparing apples with oranges. Ignorant people do that. If they know better, or should know better, then, they are being duplicitous, disingenuous, and deceptive. David Gross Distinguished Marksman (1 of the 1000 top shooters - JEO) Former Chairman of the NRA High Power Committee
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