Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems

Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems
The following information was derived and is provided by Close Focus Research (CFR) for those who are interested in Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems. Use the following equations to determine the values you need.

Example Calculations
Shown in the table below are a few sample calculations of both Projectile Velocity and Barrel Pressure for the 9mm, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, .45 ACP, .223 / 5.56 NATO, .308 / 7.62 NATO, and .50 caliber BMG using CFR's derived method. The Pressure value used for each caliber happens to be the maximum SAAMI safe chamber pressure. As you can see, the calculated results are pretty accurate and closely reflect values you would expect.

Keep in mind that the Projectile Velocity and Barrel Pressure values shown in the table below use the modified formulas to account for Projectile Friction, Rotational Energy, and Heat transfer. The original derived formulas are based solely on pure mathematics and that Projectile Friction, Rotational Energy, and Heat transfer are not considered.

In the downloadable spreadsheet, available below, the red colored values are user entered values, and the blue colored values are the calculated results.

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Download © 1993 Developed by Sam Raheb of Close Focus Research (CFR)
Download the Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems:
Calculating_Barrel_Pressure_and_Projectile_Velocity.xls

Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems Results

Deriving the Equations for Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems
© 1993 Developed by Sam Raheb of Close Focus Research (CFR)
Deriving the Equations for Calculating Barrel Pressure and Projectile Velocity in Gun Systems

SAAMI Maximum Cartridge Pressure Specifications
The following SAAMI Pressure data was acquired and compiled from various websites.
RiflePSI
.22 Long Rifle (rimfire)24,000
.22 Short (rimfire)21,000
.22 WRF19,000
.22 WRM24,000
.222 Remington50,000
.22-250 Remington65,000
.223 Remington55,000
.223 WSSM65,000
.243 Winchester60,000
.25-06 Remington63,000
.257 Roberts54,000
.257 Roberts +P58,000
.260 Remington60,000
.264 Winchester Magnum64,000
.270 Winchester65,000
.270 WSM65,000
.280 Remington60,000
.284 Winchester56,000
.30 Carbine40,000
.300 Remington Short Ultra Magnum65,000
.300 Remington Ultra Magnum65,000
.300 Savage47,000
.300 Weatherby Magnum65,000
.300 Winchester Magnum64,000
.300 WSM65,000
.30-06 Springfield60,000
.303 British49,000
.30-30 Winchester42,000
.30-30 Winchester (Saboted)38,000
.308 Winchester62,000
.308 Winchester (Saboted)52,000
.32 Winchester Special42,000
.338 Remington Ultra Magnum65,000
.338 Winchester Magnum64,000
.35 Remington33,500
.375 H&H62,000
.375 Remington Ultra Magnum65,000
.416 Remington Magnum65,000
.444 Marlin42,000
.45-70 Government28,000
.50 BMG55,000
5.56 x 45 mm NATO55,000
5mm RFM37,000
6mm Remington65,000
6.5 x 55mm Swede45,000
7mm Mauser51,000
7mm Remington Magnum61,000
7mm Remington Ultra Magnum65,000
7mm STW65,000
7mm Weatherby Magnum65,000
7mm WSM65,000
RiflePSI
7mm-08 Remington61,000
7.62 x 39 mm (M43)45,000
7.62 x 51 mm NATO60,000
7-30 Waters45,000
8mm Mauser35,000
8mm Remington Magnum65,000
  
HandgunPSI
.22 Long Rifle (rimfire)24,000
.22 Short (rimfire)21,000
.22 WRF19,000
.22 WRM24,000
.25 ACP25,000
.32 ACP20,500
.32 S&W Long15,000
.357 Magnum35,000
.357 Maximum40,000
.357 Sig40,000
.38 Auto26,500
.38 S&W14,500
.38 Special17,000
.38 Special +P18,500
.38 Super +P36,500
.38 Super Auto +P36,500
.380 ACP21,500
.40 S&W35,000
.41 AE35,000
.41 Magnum36,000
.44 Magnum36,000
.44 Special15,500
.45 ACP21,000
.45 ACP +P23,000
.45 Long Colt14,000
.45 Winchester Magnum40,000
.454 Casull65,000
.480 Ruger48,000
.50 AE36,000
10mm Auto37,500
9mm Luger35,000
9mm Luger +P38,500
  
ShotgunPSI
.410 Bore 2 1/2"12,500
.410 Bore 3"13,500
10 gauge11,000
12 gauge (all but 3 1/2" Magnum)11,500
12 gauge 3 1/2" Magnum14,000
16 gauge11,500
20 gauge12,000
28 gauge12,500
  
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