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backscatter712

(26,357 posts)
8. .223 caliber rounds are what's used by the military.
Fri Dec 14, 2012, 07:47 PM
Dec 2012

The bullet itself is long and skinny. Behind it is a moderately large cartridge shell that tapers outwards, that holds a decent-sized charge of gunpowder.

Compare this with a .22LR, which has a shorter bullet, about the same diameter, but with a much smaller cartridge shell and powder charge.

Don't get me wrong - a .22LR can certainly kill, but it's a relatively weak type of ammunition.

The .223 (what the killer used) is quite a bit more powerful - that big cartridge and powder charge can send that bullet at a very high speed. High speed = long range and high kinetic energy, so those rounds can do a lot of damage when they go through people.

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No. The .22 round is the smallest generally available COLGATE4 Dec 2012 #1
Right that is what I know of the "22 round" underpants Dec 2012 #7
Actually they are not the same round ProgressiveProfessor Dec 2012 #11
here ya go NightWatcher Dec 2012 #2
Thanks for that photo - makes the difference very obvious. nt bananas Dec 2012 #12
I see only one bullet that belongs outside a shooting range. Barack_America Dec 2012 #15
Which one? The .22LR? oldhippie Dec 2012 #16
I meant to say "freely". And yes, the .22LR. Barack_America Dec 2012 #20
The .308 and .300 Win Mag are typical hunting rounds FarCenter Dec 2012 #17
Nominally .001 inch larger in diameter as I understand it Brother Buzz Dec 2012 #3
i looked it up and i think 5.56mm converts to .223 caliber dionysus Dec 2012 #4
Alright, here goes NickB79 Dec 2012 #5
Thank you good info underpants Dec 2012 #6
.223 caliber rounds are what's used by the military. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #8
Used to have a .22 mag revolver.... got rid of it, kick myself over it now and then... it 2on2u Dec 2012 #9
Good info, but might also point out that .... oldhippie Dec 2012 #18
The High Standard HD in .22 rimfire was militarized for use by OSS during WW II FarCenter Dec 2012 #19
The AR-15 sarisataka Dec 2012 #10
.223 is, in the generic sense, "22 caliber" 1-Old-Man Dec 2012 #13
Wiki is nicely organized by caliber in millimeters FarCenter Dec 2012 #14
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