AFTE Store - Comet Tail/Vortex Effect

Spiral patterns produced on targets at close ranges using a particular brand of ammunition were confirmed to be composed of lead using both Sodium Rhodizonate (NaRh) and SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis). It was determined that rifling in some conventionally rifled barrels cut through the bullet jacketing, exposing the lead core to the frictional and thermal effects of firing resulting in the spiral patterns observed. These spiral patterns were produced at distances as far as 48 inches from the muzzle of certain firearms.