Why would you put mercury in a bullet?
Table of Contents
Why would you put mercury in a bullet?
Mercury has, in the real world, been used to increase the terminal effect of hollow point bullets (especially a the relatively low velocity of pistol bullets).
Do hollow point bullets explode on impact?
Expansion, or hollow point, bullets are specialised bullets designed to deform upon impact because of a collapsible space within the projectile tip. The result is a controlled explosion on impact producing increased damage and less clothing related problems. The tips, however, possess no explosive charge.
Does mercury explode in water?
Mercury(II) fulminate, or Hg(CNO)2, is a primary explosive. It is highly sensitive to friction, heat and shock and is mainly used as a trigger for other explosives in percussion caps and detonators….Mercury(II) fulminate.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Solubility in water | slightly soluble |
| Solubility | soluble in ethanol, ammonia |
| Explosive data | |
| Shock sensitivity | High |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mercury filled bullets?
The advantage of the mercury filled bullet is that the core of the lead or lead jacketed bullet is considerably harder and less resistant than the external mass of lead or lead and copper jacketing. The hardened mercury being in the general range of 59 Rockwell Cone and the lead being at roughly 38 Rockwell Cone in hardness.
How do mercury bullets explode?
He describes a process where bullets are filled with mercury, enabling them to explode on impact. The bullet tip was drilled, and a drop of mercury poured into the hole, which was then sealed. According to Forsyth, when this bullet is fired, the mercury pushes forward to augment the round’s ballistic capabilities.
What is an alternative to liquid mercury tipped bullets?
An alternative to liquid mercury tipped bullets would be to fill a hollow point, or drilled cavity with mercury II fulminate. A primary explosive, mercury fulminate is used as a percussion or blasting cap trigger for igniting other explosions.
Is mercury fulminate an explosive?
The reason I suggested mercury fulminate is because I’m pretty sure whoever started the myth about exploding mercury-filled bullets probably heard that mercury fulminate was an explosive and tried to incorporate it into their fiction. They screwed up and the rest is history. Please don’t try either one. It would be terminally stupid.