Author Topic: Shooting the spherical bovine (Read 11269 times)

Perd Hapley · « **on:** June 14, 2016, 05:05:15 PM »

Assume a spherical cow. Actually, two identical, spherical cows, both 25 yards away from you. One cow you will be shooting with a Glock 19. The other you will shoot in the exact same place, at the same angle, with a .22 LR (say, a CCI Mini-Mag), from a 16" barrel.

Let us further assume you are neither whipping the guns forward, to increase velocity; setting your sights to 300 yards, to increase power; or turning them sideways, for a kill-shot effect. Both guns are stock, without any bayonets, flash hiders, or barrel shrouds, that would enhance killing-ness.

Which munition will most damage our spherical friends? Please support your answer with appropriate sources. Bribing super-delegates in order for your answer to win, is not allowed.

Thank you for playing.

MillCreek · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:21:57 PM »

Can we have a spherical chicken in a vacuum next?

roo_ster · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:34:16 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on June 14, 2016, 05:21:57 PM

Can we have a spherical chicken in a vacuum next?

The dyson tyson conundrum?

Angel Eyes · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:34:24 PM »

Are these massless cows standing on frictionless plates?

bedlamite · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:42:51 PM »

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:41:30 PM »

The answers so far seem rather flippant. I very much doubt any rifle was ever mass-produced for the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer, and in any case, I specified the .22 LR.

I have asked a very serious question about terminal ballistics, and I would very much appreciate it if some of you could not make a mockery of the subject.

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:46:34 PM »

bedlamite · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:50:20 PM »

Quote from: fistful on June 14, 2016, 06:41:30 PM

The answers so far seem rather flippant. I very much doubt any rifle was ever mass-produced for the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer

The one that was produced for Mr Hutton probably had a lot of mass.

230RN · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:05:18 PM »

Jee wiZ At first I thought you were allegorizing the pResiental race and what wood be the best vote.

Including the variables of a frictionless cow on a massless plate was good science.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:26:04 PM »

Quote from: 230RN on June 14, 2016, 08:05:18 PM

Jee wiZ At first I thought you were allegorizing the pResiental race and what wood be the best vote.

Including the variables of a frictionless cow on a massless plate was good science.

There is no need to refer to Mrs. Clinton in that manner.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:36:33 PM »

Are we assuming FMJ ammo or any bullet type?

Since you are imagining spherical cows, are you trying to say the shot will always be a body flesh shot and never at some perfect spot for an immediate kill?

230RN · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:41:53 PM »

^ And any shots not normal to the surfaces of the spherical cows introduces another set of variables.

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2016, 10:22:07 PM »

^^^ Correct.

charby · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2016, 10:44:14 PM »

.460 Weatherby Mag, because it says I'm not a pussy and have lots of discretionary income.

Jim147 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2016, 02:04:55 AM »

The aliens got all the cows around here so I guess I might have to pull out my trusty blaster.

RocketMan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2016, 06:01:48 AM »

Are we allowed to factory in the affects of air termpeture and humdidity on the firing of the boolitz?

230RN · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2016, 06:44:38 AM »

^"Are we allowed to factor in the effects of air temperature and humidity on the firing of the boolitz?"

I thought we had postulated the natural state of affairs, i.e., a vacuum. Other option is Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP, we used to call it --20Â°C and 760 Torr). I guess humidity affects the air density, so we ought to report it, if not control for it.

Are we controlling for denim-clad cows or are we just going for the normal leather jackets that cows usually wear?

Terry

makattak · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2016, 09:56:31 AM »

Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range

Reference Source: Encylopedia Termanica

Fly320s · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2016, 10:17:48 AM »

I started to choose the .22LoudRude, but the noise scared me, the empty casings flying past my face gave me PTSPD, and the kick broke both of my collarbones and one femur. Also, I wet myself.

K Frame · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2016, 10:18:50 AM »

You ijit.

This exercise only works with spherical cows in a vacuum.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2016, 12:57:48 PM »

Quote from: Mike Irwin on June 15, 2016, 10:18:50 AM

You ijit.

This exercise only works with spherical cows in a vacuum.

Vacuum? You know vacuums don't exist, right?

cambeul41 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2016, 01:13:51 PM »

"Vacuum? You know vacuums don't exist, right?"

But they must exist if cleaners for them are readily available.

230RN · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2016, 01:16:17 PM »

Hence the "Dyson Tyson" concept. I thought that was pretty funny.

Took me a second to get it, though, since I have a Eureka vacuum. I love jokes that I don't get right away.

Jocassee · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2016, 01:21:15 PM »

If the cow is facing you head on, and you shoot it in the head (what appears to us to be the forehead), both a 9mm and a .22 might just bounce off. Cows have thick skulls and their brains, IIRC are at or behind their ears.

If you shoot it in the chest, a 9mm would presumable penetrate further, having more potential energy, but someone else would have to confirm this. Caveats of bone strikes and density, muscle mass, etc are also in play.

So to answer your question, I have no idea, except that a .50 S&W isn't a terrible idea if available.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2016, 09:49:14 PM »

Quote from: Jim147 on June 15, 2016, 02:04:55 AM

The aliens got all the cows around here so I guess I might have to pull out my trusty blaster.

The aliens just took the bones and left a spherical bovine behind.

News:

Poll

.22 LR or 9mm Luger?

Author Topic: Shooting the spherical bovine (Read 11269 times)