A reader recently sent a link to a site that is doing great work in not only the artistic side of ballistic photography, but is also using the photography for ballistic research such as learning how different rounds and pistols behave.  There are several sets of pictures on how certain muzzle AR devices work, and how different brands of ammunition behave differently when fired.  I urge you to head over to his site at http://kuulapaa.com/ and take a look.  While you’re there you can also buy high resolution copies of the photos and make your own wall art, or just take a look at what he has on his site.

There is one group of pictures that stands out to me as interesting, and that is just how unstable a handgun round really is when it leaves the barrel.  The picture here I measured as best I could, and actually came up with the bullet being a full 7 degrees off the bore axis.  While I have a good grasp on ballistics and bullet stability, actually being able to see the science at work is truly fascinating.

The photos are truly amazing to see both the gasses, bullet, powder and fireball all stopped in time perfectly enough to even be able to see the rifling striations on the bullet and just how damaged some bullets come out of the barrel.  Check out his site, there are a lot of pictures to be seen there, and even some stereoscopic pictures to help see the full blast in 3D.

Used with permission from Herra Kuulapaa (http://kuulapaa.com/)

Used with permission from Herra Kuulapaa (http://kuulapaa.com/)

Used with permission from Herra Kuulapaa (http://kuulapaa.com/)

Thanks to Matti for the tip!