View source for Engineering:Spitzer (bullet)

{{Short description|Type of bullet design}}
[[File:8x57.jpg|thumb|1888 pattern M/88 (left) alongside the 1903 pattern 7.92×57mm Mauser ''S Patrone'']]
[[File:Ballistic Tip.JPG|thumb|21st-century plastic-tipped bullets. Ballistic Tips: Hornady 17 gr. V-Max 17HMR, .308 Winchester Unknown Manufacturer [[Engineering:Plastic-tipped bullet|Plastic-tipped bullets]] are a type of rifle bullet meant to confer the aerodynamic advantage of the spitzer bullet (for example, see very-low-drag bullet) and the stopping power of a hollow-point bullet.]]

The '''spitzer bullet''' (or '''spire point''') is a pointed projectile that is primarily used in small-arms. The [[Physics:Nose cone design|pointed nose shape]], which was developed for military purposes in the late 19th and early 20th century, was a major design improvement compared to earlier rounder or flatter-tipped [[Engineering:Bullet|bullet]]s because pointed nose shapes were less susceptible to [[Physics:External ballistics|external ballistic factors]] like [[Physics:Drag|drag]]. By adding a point, projectiles made for [[Engineering:Fully powered cartridge|fully-powered]] and intermediate [[Engineering:Cartridge (firearms)|rifle cartridges]] obtain a lower [[Physics:Drag coefficient|drag coefficient]], which makes them decelerate less rapidly. Lowering the drag coefficient leads to improved [[Physics:External ballistics|external ballistic]] behaviour.<ref name=f&s>{{cite web |url=https://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-gun-nuts/understanding-vld-bullets |title=Understanding VLD Bullets |last=Petzal |first=David E. |date=7 July 2014 |publisher=Field & Stream |access-date=13 June 2018 }}</ref>

The development of spitzer bullets and long-range volley sights for service rifles changed military doctrines. Area targets at ranges up to {{convert|1420|–|2606|m|yd|abbr=on|-1}} could be subject to rifle fire. With improvements in machine guns at the turn of the 20th Century, the addition of clinometers meant that fixed machine gun squads could deliver plunging fire or indirect fire at more than {{convert|3000|m|yd|abbr=on|-1}}. The indirect firing method exploits the maximal [[Physics:Effective range|effective range]], that is defined by the maximum range of a small-arms projectile while still maintaining the minimum kinetic energy required to put unprotected personnel out of action, which is generally believed to be 15 kilogram-meters (147&nbsp;J / 108&nbsp;ft⋅lbf).<ref name="krtraining1">{{cite magazine |author1=Kjellgren, G. L. M. |url=http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf|title=The Practical Range of Small Arms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305142959/http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2015 |magazine=The American Rifleman |pages= 40–44|url-status=live}}</ref>

Spitzer bullets greatly increased the lethality of the battlefields of [[Social:World War I|World War I]]. Before, during and after World War I, militaries adopted even more aerodynamically refined spitzer projectiles by combining a pointed nose with a slightly tapered base at the rear, called a ''boat tail'', which further reduced drag in flight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm_lebel.htm |title=The 8x50R Lebel (8mm Lebel) |author=Hawks, Chuck}}</ref> These projectiles were known as [[Physics:External ballistics#General trends in drag or ballistic coefficient|spitzer boat-tail bullets]] which increased the terminal maximum ranges of fully-powered rifle cartridges to between {{convert|4115|and|5500|m|yd|abbr=on|-1}}.

==Etymology==

The name "spitzer" is an anglicized form of the German word ''Spitzgeschoss'', literally meaning "pointed projectile".

==History==
===Design requirements===
From  the mid to late 19th century, European military research had started to examine how to maximise available small arms [[Physics:Muzzle velocity|muzzle velocity]] through improved projectile design. Stronger metal casings were being used to contain cartridge propellants, making small arms more powerful but not any more accurate. Designers knew that bullets with a lower [[Physics:Drag coefficient|drag coefficient]] (C<sub>d</sub>) would decelerate less rapidly and therefore travel further. A lower drag coefficient also flattens the projectile's [[Physics:Trajectory|trajectory]], making it more stable in flight and less susceptible to lateral drift caused by crosswinds. By retaining a higher impact velocity, bullets with high [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]]s would retain more [[Physics:Kinetic energy|kinetic energy]] and be lethal at greater ranges. It was these requirements that drove military thinking in the years prior to the First World War.

===1898===
{{multiple image
   | width     = 107
   | footer    = 8×50mmR Lebel service cartridges
   | image1    = 8mm Lebel Douai-01.jpg
   | alt21     =
   | caption1  = <small>Loaded with 1886 pattern ''balle M''</small>
   | image2    = 8mm Lebel Tarbes-01.jpg|115px
   | alt2      =
   | caption2  = <small>Loaded with 1898 pattern ''balle D''</small>
  }}
[[File:Balle D.jpg|thumb|Technical drawings of the French 1898 pattern ''Balle D'' bullet]]

====France====
The spitzer bullet design was first introduced in 1898 as the ''Balle D'' by the French Army. The ''Balle D'' bullet was designed by Captain Georges Raymond Desaleux, in order to improve the ballistic performance of the existing French 8×50mmR Lebel service cartridge of 1886.

The original 1886 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel cartridge was an innovative service cartridge design, since it was the first military cartridge to use single-base smokeless, [[Chemistry:Nitrocellulose|nitrocellulose]] based, ([[Chemistry:Poudre B|Poudre B]]) gunpowder as developed by Paul Vieille in 1884. The original 1886 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel was loaded with a {{convert|15.0|g|gr}} cupro-nickel-jacketed lead-cored flat-nosed [[Engineering:Wadcutter|wadcutter]]-style ''Balle M'' bullet designed by lieutenant colonel Nicolas Lebel achieving a muzzle velocity of {{convert|628|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}.

The new 1898 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel cartridge loaded with Desaleux's new lighter {{convert|12.8|g|gr}} ''Balle D'' [[Chemistry:Brass|brass]] mono-metal spitzer bullet achieved a [[Physics:Muzzle velocity|muzzle velocity]] of {{convert|700|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}, providing a somewhat flatter [[Physics:Trajectory|trajectory]] and a greatly improved maximum effective range. Besides having a pointed nose section the ''Balle D'' was also the first military rifle projectile that had a boat tail – a streamlined tapered base – to further minimize air resistance in flight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm_lebel.htm |title=The 8x50R Lebel (8mm Lebel) |author=Hawks, Chuck}}</ref>

====Downrange performance====
The 1898 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel ''Balle D'' spitzer nose profile combined with the boat tail resulted in a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of 0.568 to 0.581 (ballistic coefficients are somewhat debatable). Fired at {{convert|700|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} muzzle velocity the ''Balle D'' bullet retained supersonic velocity up to and past {{convert|800|m|yd|abbr=on}} (V<sub>800</sub> ≈ [[Physics:Mach number|Mach]] 1.13) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level ([[Physics:Air density|air density]] ρ = 1.225&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup>) and had a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|4400|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}. Even by 21st century standards {{convert|800|m|yd|abbr=on}} typical effective supersonic range is regarded as normal for a standard military rifle round.<ref group=note>Maximum effective rifle range</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+1886 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel ''Balle M'' load
|-
!Distance (m)             
|0
|200     
|400    
|600    
|800    
|1000    
|1500    
|2000
|-
!Trajectory (m)    
|0
|0.14    
|0.81   
|2.39   
|5.27    
|9.83   
|31.71   
|75.61
|-
!Velocity (m/s)     
|628
|488     
|397    
|335    
|290     
|255     
|197     
|160
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+1898 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel ''Balle D'' load
|-
!Distance (m)              
|0
|200     
|400    
|600    
|800    
|1000    
|1500   
|2000
|-
!Trajectory (m)     
|0
|0.12    
|0.54   
|1.43   
|3.01    
|5.60   
|18.30   
|44.0
|-
!Velocity (m/s)      
|700
|607    
|521    
|448    
|388     
|342     
|278    
|240
|}

The downrange performance tables above show the superior velocity retention of the ''Balle D'' compared with its ''Balle M'' predecessor<br>
<small>Note: The air density ρ used to correlate these tables is unknown.</small>

In 1932, 8×50mmR Lebel ''Balle N'' ammunition was introduced, which featured a lead-cored, cupro-nickel-over-steel-jacketed, pointed boat-tail bullet weighing 15.0 g (232 grains). It had been designed to improve the long-range performance of the issued [[Engineering:Hotchkiss Mle 1914 machine gun|Hotchkiss Mle 1914 machine gun]]s.

===1902–1918===

====German Empire====
[[File:Karabiner 98k ballistics.png|thumb|Ballistic tables for the 1903 pattern ''S Patrone'' and the further improved 1914 pattern ''s.S. Patrone'' fired from a {{convert|600|mm|in|1}} barrel.<ref name="S and s.S. Patrone ballistics">[http://omegacrossroads.com/GunCabinet/8X57/8mmMauser.htm The 8mm (7,92X57) Mauser Cartridge, Ballistics of the F.N. Rifle, Cal. 7,9 m/m Streamlined Pointed Bullet with Tapered Base (197.5 gr.)]</ref><ref name="S and s.S. Patrone ballistics 2">[http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/fn_fn98.pdf FN Mauser Model 98 rifle and carbine operator's manual]</ref>]]
[[File:Bullet 7-92Mauser.JPG|thumb|A 1914 pattern 7.92×57mm Mauser ''s.S. Patrone'' (''schweres Spitzgeschoß'' / heavy pointed bullet) boat-tailed full metal jacket bullet]]

In [[Place:German Empire|Germany]] the Gewehr-Prüfungskommission (G.P.K.) (Rifle Testing Commission) was responsible for improving the accuracy and performance of the 1888 pattern military [[Engineering:Patrone 88|M/88]] ammunition and Germany's weapons chambered for M/88 ammunition like the [[Engineering:Gewehr 1888|Gewehr 1888]]. During a late 19th and early 20th century improvement program tasked with remedying the M/88's propellant compression and excessive barrel (grooves) wear problems, the German ordnance authority began to prefer spitzer bullets by 1898.

A new ''Spitzgeschoß'' aerodynamic bullet, credited to the independent ballistician Arthur Gleinich, was tested in 1902 and officially adopted on 3 April 1903. After several shape revisions it entered mass production in 1904. The ''Spitzgeschoß'' nose was externally pointed like the French design and its shape was [[Social:Patent|patent]]ed, but the [[Engineering:Full metal jacket bullet|full metal jacket ''Spitzgeschoß'']] differed internally.<ref>{{cite book| author =Götz, Hans-Dieter | title = Die Deutschen Militargewehre und Maschinenpistolen: 1871-1945| page= 133| year = 1974| isbn = 3-87943-350-X |language = de}}</ref><ref>The patent assigned by the US Patent Office to the Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken Aktien-Gesellschaft for an Improved Form for Projectiles for Hand-Firearms can be found under {{US patent|RE12927|US PAT No. RE12927}}.</ref><ref>[https://www.google.si/patents/US841861 Patent US 841861 A Projectile for hand-firearms (1907).]</ref> The Gewehr-Prüfungskommission program resulted in the [[Engineering:7.92×57mm Mauser|''S Patrone'' or 7.92×57mm Mauser]] cartridge, which was loaded with a relatively lightweight {{convert|9.9|g|gr}} spitzer bullet with a slightly increased diameter of {{convert|8.2|mm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} that had a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of approximately 0.321 to 0.337 (ballistic coefficients are somewhat debatable), along with a dimensionally redesigned chambering and bore (designated as "S-bore") and new double-base (based on nitrocellulose and [[Chemistry:Nitroglycerin|nitroglycerin]]) [[Chemistry:Smokeless powder|smokeless powder]] loading, which delivered a greatly improved muzzle velocity of {{convert|878|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} from a {{convert|740|mm|in|1}} barrel. The ''S Patrone'' was adopted by the German Army and Navy in 1903 and had a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|3700|m|yd|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://omegacrossroads.com/GunCabinet/8X57/8mmMauser.htm |title=The 8mm (7,92×57) Mauser Cartridge, Ballistics of the F.N. Rifle, Cal. 7,9mm Light Pointed Bullet (154 gr.) S Patrone |access-date=2013-02-14 |archive-date=2016-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002083823/http://omegacrossroads.com/GunCabinet/8X57/8mmMauser.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.wildundhund.de/r30/vc_content/bilder/firma438/Archiv_2006/052_057_8x57_1106.pdf 8×57mm IS cartridge portrait - Totgesagte leben länger, Wild und Hund 11/2006 {{in lang|de}}] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001220755/http://www.wildundhund.de/r30/vc_content/bilder/firma438/Archiv_2006/052_057_8x57_1106.pdf |date=2011-10-01 }}</ref> The combination of increased muzzle velocity and improved bullet aerodynamics provided a much flatter bullet trajectory, which increased the probability of hitting an individual target at most typical combat distances.

At the onset of World War I, Germany developed an aerodynamically further refined bullet. This {{convert|12.8|g|gr}} full metal jacket s.S. (''schweres Spitzgeschoß'', "heavy spitzer") boat tail projectile had a ballistic coefficient (G1 BC) of 0.557 to 0.593 (ballistic coefficients are somewhat debatable) and was loaded in the ''s.S. Patrone''. At {{convert|760|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} muzzle velocity the ''s.S. Patrone'' had a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|4700|m|yd|-1|abbr=on}} and retained supersonic velocity up to and past {{convert|1000|m|yd|abbr=on}} (V<sub>1000</sub> ≈ [[Physics:Mach number|Mach]] 1.07) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level ([[Physics:Air density|air density]] ρ = 1.225&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup>). From its 1914 introduction the ''s.S. Patrone'' was mainly issued for aerial combat and as of 1918 in the later stages of World War I to infantry machine gunners. Fifteen years after World War I the ''S Patrone'' was phased out and the ''s.S. Patrone'' became the standard issue ball ammunition for the German military.<ref>[http://www.waffen-welt.de/bilder/DiePatrone7.92x57.pdf Die Patrone 7.92mm (8x57)]</ref><ref>[http://www.rifleshootermag.com/historical/20th-century-german-military-arms/ 20th Century German Military Arms and Ammo]</ref>

====United States====
[[File:Five301906govtBullets.png|thumb|right|Five bullets used in United States military loadings from left to right: M1903 bullet, M1906 ball, M1 ball, M2 ball, and M2 Armor-Piercing (AP) bullet. Black paint has chipped off the tip of AP bullet during rough handling. The cannelure indentation around each bullet is where the leading edge of the case would be crimped into the bullet. The four spitzer bullets used in the .30-06 Springfield cartridge case were loaded with a nearly identical tangent [[Ogive|ogive]] exposed for reliable functioning in self-loading firearms, while the earlier M1903 bullet is positioned to illustrate the longer neck of the preceding .30-03 cartridge.]]

In 1906, United States ordnance authorities arranged to purchase the production license for the ''Spitzgeschoß'' bullet design from Gleinich. Now referred to as a 'spitzer' design, the new {{convert|9.7|g|gr}} flat base projectile that had a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of approximately 0.405 with a cupro-nickel alloy jacket was incorporated into the M1906 .30-06 Springfield cartridge adopted by U.S. armed forces in 1906. The Ball, M1906 rounds had a muzzle velocity of {{convert|823|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} and had a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|3117|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} and can be identified by their silver-colored bullets. The cupro-nickel alloy was found to foul the bore quickly.

====Russian Empire====
In 1908, the [[Place:Russian Empire|Russian Empire]] adopted a new [[Engineering:7.62×54mmR|7.62×54mmR]] service round variant loaded with the "L" {{convert|9.61|g|gr|adj=on}} Лёгкая Пуля (''Lyogkhaya pulya'', "Light Bullet") spitzer bullet that had a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of approximately 0.338. The 7.62×54mmR M1908 Type L cartridge had a muzzle velocity of {{convert|865|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}.

====United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland====
In 1910, the [[History:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] officially adopted the .303 British Mark VII cartridge variant loaded with an {{convert|11.3|g|gr}} flat base spitzer bullet that had a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of approximately 0.467. The .303 British Mark VII cartridge had a muzzle velocity of {{convert|744|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} and a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|2743|m|yd|abbr=on}}.<ref name="leeenfield2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ti5.htm |title=Rifle, Short Magazine Lee Enfield |publisher=The Lee-Enfield Rifle Website |accessdate=13 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="Cushman" >{{cite web |url=http://www.dave-cushman.net/shot/303hist.html |title=History of the .303 British Calibre Service Ammunition Round |author=Cushman, David }}</ref>

====Switzerland====
[[File:GP11 coupe.JPG|thumb|Swiss 7.5×55mm GP 11 Full Metal Jacket, Armor Piercing, and Tracer projectiles]]

In 1911, {{wipe|Switzerland}} adopted the [[Engineering:7.5×55mm Swiss#The GP 11 cartridge|7.5×55mm GP 11]] cartridge loaded with a {{convert|11.3|g|gr}} spitzer full metal jacket bullet. Besides a pointed nose, the GP 11 bullet also had a boat tail to further lower the drag coefficient (C<sub>d</sub>). The GP 11 projectile had a [[Physics:Ballistic coefficient|ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of 0.505 to 0.514 (ballistic coefficients are somewhat debatable) and had a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|5500|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} under Swiss chosen atmospheric conditions (altitude = {{convert|800|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, air pressure = {{convert|649|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} Hg, temperature = {{convert|7|°C|°F}}) equaling ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at {{convert|653.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} ([[Physics:Air density|air density]] ρ = 1.150&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup>). At {{convert|780|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} muzzle velocity the standard GP 11 ball spitzer bullet retained supersonic velocity up to {{convert|800|m|yd|abbr=on}} (V<sub>800</sub> ≈ [[Physics:Mach number|Mach]] 1.1) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level ([[Physics:Air density|air density]] ρ = 1.225&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup>). The GP 11 bullet set off the militaries of countries like Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom at the onset of and after World War I to develop and field similar full metal jacket boat tail spitzer bullets to improve the maximum effective range and long range performance of the full metal jacket flat based spitzer bullet designs they used. The useful maximum effective range is defined by the maximum range of a small-arms projectile while still maintaining the minimum kinetic energy required to put unprotected personnel out of action, which is generally believed to be 15 kilogram-meters (147&nbsp;J / 108&nbsp;ft⋅lbf).<ref name="krtraining1">{{cite magazine |author1=Kjellgren, G. L. M. |url=http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf|title=The Practical Range of Small Arms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305142959/http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2015 |magazine=The American Rifleman |pages= 40–44|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Kingdom of Spain====
In 1913, the ordnance authorities of the Kingdom of Spain issued a redesigned [[Engineering:7×57mm Mauser|7×57mm Mauser]] cartridge (''7mm Cartucho para Mauser Tipo S'').<ref>[http://www.shootingtimes.com/2010/09/23/longgun_reviews_st_spanmodelo1892mr_200812/ The Spanish Modelo 1893 Mauser Rifle by Paul Scarlata • Shooting Times • September 23, 2010]</ref> It was loaded with a {{convert|9|g|gr|1}} spitzer bullet fired at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|850|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} with {{convert|3251|J|ft.lbf|abbr=on|0}} muzzle energy from a {{convert|589|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} long barrel. It had a maximum terminal range of {{convert|3700|m|yd|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.nazarian.no/images/wep/24_FN98.pdf FN Mauser Model 98 Rifle and Carbine Operator's Manual page 28] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510120527/http://www.nazarian.no/images/wep/24_FN98.pdf |date=2012-05-10 }}</ref>

===Post-World War I===

====Sweden====
In 1932, Sweden introduced the 8×63mm patron m/32 loaded with {{Convert|14.2|g|gr|abbr=on}} spitzer bullets with a boat tail fired at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|760|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} bullets. The 8×63mm patron m/32 ammunition was not developed as general service ammunition but for anti-aircraft and indirect fire and had an effective range of approximately {{convert|3600|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} on which the impact energy was 20 kilogram-meters (196 J / 145 ft⋅lbf), and a maximum terminal range of approximately {{convert|5500|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} when fired from a Kulspruta m/36 machine gun.<ref>[http://www.forgottenweapons.com/swedish-kulspruta-m36/ "Swedish Kulspruta m/36".] ''forgottenweapons.com''.</ref>

Sweden and Norway loaded their 6.5×55mm m/94 service ammunition with a {{convert|10.1|g|gr}} long round-nosed bullet (B-projectile) fired at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|725|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} up to the early phase of World War II and Norwegian occupation by German in 1940. From 1941 onwards Sweden, which remained neutral during World War II, adopted m/41 service ammunition loaded with a {{convert|9.1|g|gr}} spitzer bullet (D-projectile) fired at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|800|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/rifles_se.htm Swedish Military Rifles 1894 - 1995]</ref> Besides a pointed nose the m/41 D-projectile also had a boat tail.<ref>[http://dutchman.rebooty.com/ammo.html "6.5x55 Ammunition".]</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Handloading}}

[[Category:Bullets]]

{{Sourceattribution|Spitzer (bullet)}}