Cold Case: JFK – NOVA program now online

[stopbush]

213. If you really want to know, it had to do with the release of pressure through the exit wound.

In the Nova special, the tests - which were filmed with cameras shooting at 20,000 fps - showed the bullets exiting the test material, and beginning to yaw about 3 feet after exiting said test material (it's fascinating to watch, BTW). That's about the distance that was between JFK & Connally.

BTW - the people running the tests were surprised when the bullet behaved that way upon exit. They hadn't expected that.

Some of the interesting supporting tests they ran through ballistic jelly and other materials - one material that was elastic enough to move back into form after the bullet exited, another material that was stiffer and didn't move back but left a bullet track that was expanding as it exited - clearly showed the build-up of pressure within the material and the release of the same on exiting.

It was also informative to see the results of shooting that 6.5 bullet into pine blocks - the bullet travelled about three feet through the blocks with NO deformation at the nose or sides and with NO yaw or variation from the straight line of entry. Of course, that's exactly what full metal jacketed bullets are designed to do.

But then, you're not the kind of person who has an interest in science, so you won't bother to watch. But the above IS the answer to your facetious question.