What happened to bullets that missed in Aerial Battles?

A.G. Williams said:

Not necessarily. A typical spitzer-type rifle/MG bullet has its C of G quite far back, so is inherently unstable when flying point-first. But it is relatively stable when flying base-first. So if it is fired absolutely vertically, at the moment that it stops and begins to fall, it may continue to fall base-first, achieving a higher terminal velocity than if it was tumbling.

There is a data table in the NRA Firearms Fact Book (a useful compendium of miscellaneous information) which gives the terminal velocity of a vertically-fired 180 grain PSP .30 cal bullet depending on whether it falls point first (450 fps), base first (320 fps), or is tumbling (180 fps).

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A.G. Williams said:

Not necessarily. A typical spitzer-type rifle/MG bullet has its C of G quite far back, so is inherently unstable when flying point-first. But it is relatively stable when flying base-first. So if it is fired absolutely vertically, at the moment that it stops and begins to fall, it may continue to fall base-first, achieving a higher terminal velocity than if it was tumbling.

There is a data table in the NRA Firearms Fact Book (a useful compendium of miscellaneous information) which gives the terminal velocity of a vertically-fired 180 grain PSP .30 cal bullet depending on whether it falls point first (450 fps), base first (320 fps), or is tumbling (180 fps).

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gordonm1 said:

I have experienced .30 caliber ball ammo tumbling before reaching the target at 1000 yards. Bullet stability is affected when the velocity passes through the speed of sound even if it still has rotation. .50 caliber might not tumble fired from 5000 feet but .30 caliber probably would. I know I can't hit the target with my garand at 1000 yards.

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tyrodtom said:

The longest range confirmed kill with a 7.62x51 is a 1250 meters, over 1300 yards.
The .30 06 is generally considered just as accurate.

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