Bullets travel at very high speeds, typically ranging from around 400 feet per second (fps) to over 4,000 fps when they leave the barrel of a firearm. Common sporting firearm bullets generally travel between 500 fps and just over 4,000 fps. For example, some rifle bullets can leave the muzzle at speeds up to around 3,500 fps, while handguns like a 9mm Luger fire bullets at speeds up to roughly 1,360 mph (about 2,000 fps). Bullets slow down as they travel due to air resistance and gravity. Here are some specifics:
- Rifle bullets: usually 2,500 to 4,000 fps or more.
- Handgun bullets: typically around 1,000 to 2,000 fps.
- Bullets can travel as fast as 2,727 mph (about 4,000 fps) in rifles like the Remington 223.
- The bullet’s speed slows as it moves downrange because of air resistance.
Additionally, bullets also spin at very high rates due to rifling in the gun barrel to stabilize their flight, sometimes reaching rotational velocities of about 180,000 rpm. In short, bullet speeds vary widely depending on the firearm and ammunition, but they commonly travel between 400 fps to 4,000+ fps when fired.
