Shocked and fearful Maine residents are keeping to their homes for a second night as hundreds of police and FBI agents search intently for Robert Card, a U.S.
Makes sense. Shooter isn’t using a “normal” AR-15, it’s shooting .308 rounds which have a far greater range on them.
“The weapon believed to have been used in the attack was a sniper rifle with .308 caliber bullets, and it was purchased legally this year, officials said.”
In case you’re wondering what difference that makes, a stock AR-15 is generally a .223 round.
https://www.ammoman.com/blog/223-vs-308-two-sides-of-the-same-coin/
From the source with the image:
55 Grain 223 FMJ Ammo
Average muzzle velocity – 2867 fps
Average muzzle energy – 1004 ft/lbs
Bullet drop at 500 yards – 75.02 inches
147 Grain 308 FMJ Ammo
Average muzzle velocity – 2672 fps
Average muzzle energy – 2330 ft/lbs
Bullet drop at 500 yards – 61.42 inches
Slower bullet, just barely, but 2x the energy.
Let’s see if I can find a ballistics gel video:
Checkout ballistic performance for 308
Here’s 223
Look at the energy specifically. 308 is a 7.62mm wide projectile, compared to the 223,which is 5.56mm, meaning it’s much bigger. Normal 223 you can buy is gonna be 55 gr (4 g) while 308 has a much wider range between 150 gr (10 g) to 180 gr (11.7 g). While 308 is only going 80% of the speed of 223, it’s 3 times heavier.
308 energy: 2,718 ft⋅lbf (3,685 J) 223 energy: 1,265 ft⋅lbf (1,715 J) That’s a little more than twice as much power.
TL;DR 308 is used for hunting animals like deer and other mid size game, most states in the US do not allow 223 to be used for hunting those types of animals (underpowered)
It means you’ve got someone on the loose with the capacity and mindset to absolutely twat people at a distance. See for reference the Washington Sniper.
Nothing in practical terms here. Range is irrelevant, this guy isn’t shooting people from 800 yards away. Power is largely irrelevant…somewhat more trauma from a bullet wound in certain circumstances.
When talking about walking around murdering people the caliber of the rifle isn’t important in the slightest. It’s a rifle round, that’s all you really need to know.
That really isn’t all that relevant, especially the range, this guy isn’t lining up 300+ yd shots, he’s spraying and praying.
Only real difference is a .308 will hit harder, and leave a bigger hole, so a shot that may just be a wound with a .223, could wind up lethal with a .308. But any bullet can kill a man.
Difference? Victim of gun violence is dead vs. Victim of gun violence is dead?
Victim of gun violence dead from across the room vs victim of gun violence dead from 3 football fields away.
It makes sense to keep people indoors when they could likely never see the shooter.
Both rounds are deadly out to 1000 yards and beyond, get outta here with that crap. Whether it’s effective or not is irrelevant. You wouldn’t find me not taking cover if someone was shooting at my position with 5.56 800 yards away.
