User blog comment:Griever0311/Ask A Marine Part Deux/@comment-1260687-20100317203201

@Brothertim: It depends on exactly where they're hit, but the human body doesn't exactly provide a lot of resistance to the .50BMG; there's not much expanding to do. Center mass impacts kinda blow right through and leave a decent hole on the other side. Hits to the extremities are fully capable of removing limbs, especially if it hits a large bone. Pyrotechnic rounds have devastating effects regardless, and as you said, leave a mess.