An investigation of cratering in dry sand using 22‐caliber long rifle bullets was carried out. Measurements of craters formed by bullets moving at velocities of 50 to 550 m/sec showed crater volume to vary directly with the square of the bullet velocity at the low end of this range and to approach a linear dependence on bullet velocity at the high end. An equation relating the crater volume to the bullet velocity was developed from a model which assumed hydrodynamic‐like flow behind the induced shock wave and was found to provide an excellent fit to the experimental data. It was further found that for velocities below 245 m/sec bullet deformation is small and increases rather slowly with increase in velocity. At 245 m/sec, however, an abrupt transition occurs, and the deformation increases very rapidly. Above 245 m/sec the deformation appears to become constant. This transition velocity is believed to be related to the appropriate velocity of sound in sand.