Bullet speed
Question
What is the speed of sound. What is magnum bullet speed generally and in particular for 7mm magnum. Problem: I am a writer and I need to know if someone is 1000 metres away, will he hear the shot before the bullet strikes him?
Answer
The speed of sound varies with the medium (atmosphere) but is generally represented as 767 mph or 1125 fps.
"Magnum" is a marketing term that means nothing. It's just a name given to cartridges that were designed to outperform earlier cartridges.
The 7mm Remington Magnum has a muzzle velocity of almost 3000 fps with a 160 grain bullet.
So, yes, the bullet would outrun the sound and people around the target would hear the "twack" of the projectile penetrating tissue before they heard the "bang," not of the rifle, but of the sonic boom from when it crossed the sound barrier.
Hope this helps.
jennings 380
Quarterly Qualifications