OldMarksman
Staff
The "physics of it" takes us to Newton's Second Law of Motion: the speed with which the top, unconstrained part of the target will move will depend upon the product of the mass of the bullet and the velocity of the bullet. That's defined as momentum.Not saying it is impossible 9mm or smaller caliber can knock down popper; I am saying larger caliber knock the popper down with more authority. I carry both 40 and 9, so I am not arguing which caliber one should carry. Just want to know the physics of it.
No. A 115 to 240 grain bullet will not "knock down" the person being shot. He rr she may fall, if unable to stand.I think Stephen426's answer is what I am seeking. It seems to me it should be comparable to a punch to the popper. The heavier the punch is to the popper, the faster it will fall. I would think this heavier punch in larger caliber must have some effect on the person being shot.
jmr40 nailed it on that.