Importance of head shape of airgun pellet on gunshot damage of femur bone shaft in human thigh model.

The performance of modern air rifles available on the market approaches that of small-caliber firearms. The airgun ammunition market offers pellets in a wide range of weights, shapes, calibres, and materials. In this study, we focused on differences in structural damage to the anterior and posterior surfaces of femoral shafts caused by different airgun pellets from the same manufacturer, of the same calibre, and with statistically comparable impact energies. An experimental human thigh model incorporating a porcine femur embedded in ballistic gelatin was used. Damage was induced by firing Haendler & Natterman Hollow Point and Spitzkugel 6.35 mm airgun pellets from an FX Bobcat MkII FAC PCP air rifle. Projectile velocity and impact energy were measured, along with the extent of damage to bone and periosteum on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the porcine femoral shafts. After shooting, the models were dissected, photographed, and examined using radiographic imaging. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The Hollow Point 6.35 mm airgun pellet produced significantly larger areas of bone and periosteal damage regardless of the femoral shaft surface involved.