Shocked and fearful Maine residents are keeping to their homes for a second night as hundreds of police and FBI agents search intently for Robert Card, a U.S.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Makes sense. Shooter isn’t using a “normal” AR-15, it’s shooting .308 rounds which have a far greater range on them.

    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-maine-shooting-suspect-says-mental-health-deteriorated-rapidly-rcna122353

    “The weapon believed to have been used in the attack was a sniper rifle with .308 caliber bullets, and it was purchased legally this year, officials said.”

    In case you’re wondering what difference that makes, a stock AR-15 is generally a .223 round.

    https://www.ammoman.com/blog/223-vs-308-two-sides-of-the-same-coin/

      • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        From the source with the image:

        55 Grain 223 FMJ Ammo
        Average muzzle velocity – 2867 fps
        Average muzzle energy – 1004 ft/lbs
        Bullet drop at 500 yards – 75.02 inches

        147 Grain 308 FMJ Ammo
        Average muzzle velocity – 2672 fps
        Average muzzle energy – 2330 ft/lbs
        Bullet drop at 500 yards – 61.42 inches

        Slower bullet, just barely, but 2x the energy.

        Let’s see if I can find a ballistics gel video:

        https://youtu.be/-8dZxwz9NY4

      • baldingpudenda@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Checkout ballistic performance for 308

        Here’s 223

        Look at the energy specifically. 308 is a 7.62mm wide projectile, compared to the 223,which is 5.56mm, meaning it’s much bigger. Normal 223 you can buy is gonna be 55 gr (4 g) while 308 has a much wider range between 150 gr (10 g) to 180 gr (11.7 g). While 308 is only going 80% of the speed of 223, it’s 3 times heavier.

        308 energy: 2,718 ft⋅lbf (3,685 J) 223 energy: 1,265 ft⋅lbf (1,715 J) That’s a little more than twice as much power.

        TL;DR 308 is used for hunting animals like deer and other mid size game, most states in the US do not allow 223 to be used for hunting those types of animals (underpowered)

      • 520@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        It means you’ve got someone on the loose with the capacity and mindset to absolutely twat people at a distance. See for reference the Washington Sniper.

            • Stuka@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              As it turns out it’s much more effecient to mass murder people at relatively close range than stupidly trying to take long range skill shots, so being afraid of boogy man sniper isn’t really a thing.

              • 520@kbin.social
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                1 year ago

                The problem is, everyone is now looking for him, so if he wants to continue his rampage, outskirt territory with a vantage point is the only option.

                That, or if he doesn’t value his life at all, do what he did last time.

      • Stuka@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Nothing in practical terms here. Range is irrelevant, this guy isn’t shooting people from 800 yards away. Power is largely irrelevant…somewhat more trauma from a bullet wound in certain circumstances.

        When talking about walking around murdering people the caliber of the rifle isn’t important in the slightest. It’s a rifle round, that’s all you really need to know.

    • XbSuper@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      That really isn’t all that relevant, especially the range, this guy isn’t lining up 300+ yd shots, he’s spraying and praying.

      Only real difference is a .308 will hit harder, and leave a bigger hole, so a shot that may just be a wound with a .223, could wind up lethal with a .308. But any bullet can kill a man.

      • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        In terms of a stay at home order though, yeah. He’s a threat from cross town. It makes sense to tell people to stay inside.

      • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Victim of gun violence dead from across the room vs victim of gun violence dead from 3 football fields away.

        It makes sense to keep people indoors when they could likely never see the shooter.

        • acupofcoffee@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Both rounds are deadly out to 1000 yards and beyond, get outta here with that crap. Whether it’s effective or not is irrelevant. You wouldn’t find me not taking cover if someone was shooting at my position with 5.56 800 yards away.

          • 520@kbin.social
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            1 year ago

            If they were shooting at you with a weapon designed for those ranges, and expertise in said weapon, you’ll be dead before you know what’s going on.

            If this guy is trained in hunting animals with such weaponry well… The ideal they go for is a single round to the head heart before the target even suspects something’s up. If they are consistently good at that with deer, then humans aren’t exactly harder.

            • WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              The ideal shot on a deer is through the heart. Hunting by shooting at the smallest, most mobile part of the deer is less common.

              • 520@kbin.social
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                1 year ago

                Okay that’s fair, my bad. Point is, they’re going for one shot, one kill

              • 520@kbin.social
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                1 year ago

                Okay that’s fair, my bad. Point is, they’re going for one shot, one kill

            • Stuka@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              It’s really clear you don’t know what you’re talking about alat all here…