Author Topic: Ricochets from pistol bullets? (Read 2885 times)

Bowhunter57 · « **on:** May 10, 2009, 04:38:49 PM »

I have a hunting friend that's nearly freaked out by my hunting inside abandoned barns, houses, etc. for varmints with a pistol...due to ricocheting bullets. Outside of the buildings I use a .357 Mag. Marlin lever action rifle, but on the inside I use a Smith & Wesson M&P in 9mm.

I've never had a problem, don't hear any zinging bullet sounds, but I don't shoot at anything that would cause/create such a problem either.

Has anyone heard of or had any experiences with bullet ricochets from pistol cartridges?

Thank you, Bowhunter57

Mohawk · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:50:33 PM »

Never had any experience of richochet outside concrete, bricks, car door, etc...... I think, to be safe, that you might think about a shotgun with birdshot to take varmints. Should work fine and richochet is less of a concern.

odoh · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2009, 07:14:15 PM »

Ricochets are always a possibility w/anything regardless of the launch system. Safety is always paramount.

no guns here · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:51:55 PM »

Hmmm... knowing how well a 9mm normally penetrates, I wouldn't worry TOO much unless the barn had metal beams for support. I would probably worry more about shot bouncing back than 9mm bullets. That being said... ANYTHING can ricochets. My kids shoot precision air rifle with lead pellets normally. In some competitions they have to use non-lead pellets. Every once in a while you will still hear a ricochet. Earlier this year their coach got hit one-inch above his left eye. No damage but still... These guns only shoot about 575 fps and that pellet had traveled about 25 meters when it hit him. Still wouldn't want to have it in my eye...

NGH

bluecow · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:59:30 AM »

you bet! shooting a 22 handgun at steel plates that hand been used for centerfire, had divits in the plate. it got real exciting on rapid fire. just as a side note; had an old metal out house not to far back from the muzzle loading range benches. an old boy went to the call of nature. a friend of his yelled did you hear the ricochet, took a 50 cal round ball and fast balled it at the side of that metal out house. i didnt know that old boy could move that fast

bilmac · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:41:52 AM »

I wouldn't be shooting where there was a possibility of hitting heavy metal, but how can you enjoy life if you never weigh the risks and then go for it? Some folks I know won't go out into the country because they are afraid of snakes. That ain't me.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2009, 05:27:47 AM »

I'd say you're pretty safe if you're dealing with wooden structures but still, anything can happen. One thing I WOULD concern myself with even more so would be the fact that your bullets are surer then heck traveling outside of those old structures. Being in a building, you have no idea of what or who has approached and therefore, who or what might be unintentionally shot at or actually shot outside of the structure.

I once fired some rounds at an old abandoned house in the middle of the desert (in my younger days when I didn't have any knowledge or respect for antiquities) with my 45 Colt pistol and I was very surprised to find that the bullets were going right through the house and bouncing on up the hillside behind it. Having been inside the house prior to shooting at it, I know that the bullets had traveled through two exterior walls and two interior walls which were all made of wood and plaster slat work. Nonetheless, the bullets hit the hillside behind the house with nearly as much impact as if the house wasn't there. I was amazed and gained a lot of respect for just how much energy a 255 grain bullet can have.
This is NOT the movies where bad guys can hide behind a door and not get shot! Bullets go through a LOT of stuff and keep going.

spruce · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2009, 06:04:27 AM »

Have to agree with opinions of odah and Blackhawker. The risks may be slight, but they are still very real risks. I definitely wouldn't touch off any type of birdshot round inside of the buildings you describe as the small shot will bounce back off of almost anything - wood, nails, old tools, etc, etc., posing a great danger to your eyes especially.

Remember, one of the cardinal rules of gun safety is "Be sure of your target and what's beyond". Obviously inside of a building you have no idea what's beyond the four walls you can see. Even though it may be "out in the middle of nowhere" you just never know when a hiker, berry picker, hunter, etc may just happen to wander by.

It sounds like fun, but I wouldn't do it myself.

Curtis · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:49:11 AM »

Recently I've only had ricochets from very low velocity rounds like the .22 rimfire Aguilla Colibri loads that are primer powered only. They're 17 grains running around 300 to 500 fps (depending on if Colibri or Super Colibri). Not enough velocity to penetrate or deform the bullet, so back at you they come quite often.

About 25 years ago or so a buddy of mine were in Arkansas busting rocks at about 15 yards with our 44 Magnums. Either a bullet fragment or rock chip came zinging past us at warp speed and that was the last of that.

Blackhawkers concern reminded me of a coworker years ago who got drunk and was shooting rats in his barn with an Uzi. Shot his own pickup full of holes, forgetting it was parked outside.

My opinion is I wouldn't be overly concerned with ricochets in a wooden structure using full power 9mm loads as long as they are hollow point and not ball ammo. Be careful though, you never know for sure.

Curtis

odoh · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:14:30 PM »

There was a video snip making the email rounds of a fella shooting a 50BMG rifle @ what looked to be metal plate @ 100 M from a bench rest. There was a wierd hum like a cannonball hornet on steroids. There was an impact in front of his bench and something riccohet up and smacked he in the right earmuff pod. He jumped up grabbing his ear and while dancing around, exclaimed %$^& NOT GONNA DO THAT AGAIN!! I believe him.

One would figure on a riccochet from metal plate hit at an angle but who would've thot something would bounce back 180° and 100Ms? Point is ~ one nevers knows.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:17:58 PM »

I have been struck several times by pistol bullet fragments. A .44 Mag bullet jacket drew blood.

odoh · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:32:52 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on May 11, 2009, 02:17:58 PM

I have been struck several times by pistol bullet fragments. A .44 Mag bullet jacket drew blood.

I carry something below my right eye that could have only come from the port on my revolver. I was the only one on the line firing when it happened.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2009, 07:09:39 PM »

OK, since we're on stories, I'll give mine.

I was shooting with a past friend. (no, not dead...just not a friend anymore) He was one of these guys that all of a sudden gets gun crazy and starts buying up everything and anything he can (thanks to the Clinton administration at the given time). It was almost like a passing fad for him...bought lots of expensive stuff with loading equipment that he never used and I'm sure that 10 years later all of it was sitting somewhere in his house untouched, getting rusty or he had sold all of it. Nonetheless, I think you all get the idea of what I'm saying here....when he had a gun in his hand he was a little "Yahoooooo"....hence, he's a "past friend".

Anyway, getting to the point, one day while at a hunting resort, I saw him shooting at the ground roughly 20 feet in front of him over and over. While he was reloading that .454 Freedom Arms (that I wish I had bought from him) I walked up and asked him what he was doing. He told me that he was breaking rocks. I immediately said, "what are ya nuts? You're gonna get nailed with a ricochet!" He laughed and said, "watch this!". I watched (reluctantly) as he fired two rounds at a softball sized rock. The third round scared the living bajeezes out of me. BANG...and down he went holding his head as blood was oozing out between his fingers. My instant thought was that a ricochet had nailed him in the forehead and he was going to die. I couldn't believe what had just happened and I was truly freaked out for the moment. As I approached him he seemed OK but with one heck of a bloody lump quickly growing on his head. As it turned out, a huge chunck of rock broke off and slammed him in the head.....knocking a little sense into him I guess.

While he turned out OK, believe me....NONE of you want to feel what I felt at that first instant. I don't want to sound like "mom" here but....KNOW YOUR TARGET BEFORE YOU SHOOT!!! I can't say this enough!

Castaway · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2009, 12:12:44 AM »

Slightly off original question, but when shooting low velocity 45 Colt loads outdoors at a range with old tires as a backstop, I had a bullet bounce back and hit me in the leg.

Mikey · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2009, 01:11:25 AM »

"One would figure on a riccochet from metal plate hit at an angle but who would've thot something would bounce back 180° and 100Ms" - HA! If you ever want to see a whole bunch of your own stuff come right backatcha, just call in a airstrike on your own perimeter while unloadin' every gun you have in the same direction. The term 'friendly fire' has more than one application..........

Oh yeah! - Don't shoot in old barns or houses - lead bullets go right through old walls or can 'flup, flup, flup' right back atcha on richochet, or jacketed slugs can richochet off old nail heads, birdshot will richochet off old upright posts and beams and walls. Always be sure of what is behind your target - pick up trucks can be expensive........ jmtcw.

Mikey · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2009, 01:17:17 AM »

Castaway - yes, that happens. It can also happen with black powder revolvers or calibers with slow moving slugs. Old tires do not give up very easily and shooting at the tread will definately give you a richochet. Even faster moving slugs will richochet off a big old tire tread when hiot at a angle. And also, 25 automatics can bounce off a 55 gallon drum and richchet back atcha.

Bowhunter57 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2009, 04:37:52 PM »

I appreciate everyone's stories, advice and experiences. Most of all, I can appreciate and thank all of you for your safety concerns.

I am always aware of my background, what's inside and/or outside the building that I'm hunting around. However, as most of you stated, you just can't be too careful.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

jammer308 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:46:43 PM »

I've got a nail lodged in the left side of my face. Any projectile can ricochet and cause harm. Follow 4 rules and everathang 'll b aayt.

ShadowMover · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2009, 05:07:00 PM »

Everyone who has shot into a corner pocket with a pool ball knows the ball will come right back along the same line as it went in. This will happen any time you shoot into a 90 degree ( right angle) corner. Shooting at a corner of a basement or in a brick corner will almost guarantee something will come straight back, as it's three 90 degree corners. Round circular objects will also send a bullet back along parallel to its incoming path. These objects can include toilet bowls, sinks, bath tubs, wheels, tires, railway rails (from the side), angle iron, and H beam girders. Don't shoot into corners, objects with corners or concave round curves in them. Plan your shots as you would a pool shot, and ask yourself where it will end up. Wear eye protection.

HHI-7420 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:26:39 AM »

I'm blind in my left eye(for 52 years). Can you guess why? Pat
We'er talking ricochets here(22 cal.). Did have one with a red rider though(on the cheek).

buck460XVR · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:53:50 AM »

Quote from: HHI-7420 on June 20, 2009, 09:26:39 AM

I'm blind in my left eye(for 52 years). Can you guess why? Pat

Red Ryder BB gun?

Hank08 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2009, 03:22:05 PM »

Friend of mine wanted to test penetration of an AR-15 and a SKS on a steel plate. He fired the AR and then the SKS. The jacket from the SKS came straight back right over the sights and caught him right between the eye and the eyebrow. Blood poured out like from a faucet.
I took a pr. of longnose pliers and extracted the jacket which was expanded every which way
then had to drive him about 45 miles to get a Dr. Took 9 stitches to close up the hole. Didn't touch his eyeball so his vision is OK. This was from about 25 yds. Shooting SASS cowboy shoots I've been hit many times and seen a lot of others but the worst was a gal got a .45 250 gr ricochet in the ankle and it buried itself level with the outside of the skin. We gave her a purple heart for the experience.
H08

S.S. · « **Reply #22 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:09:03 PM »

Was shooting at an indoor range and caught a slug from a 45 colt in my right thigh. Still have no Idea
how it bounced back.. also,
We were shooting vermin at an old dump site and my friend shot his 12 Ga. into a pile of garbage.
Unknown to us at the time, there was a TV in the pile. The curvature of the picture tube sent that
load of #2 shot straight back at us at about 15 feet. I won't say where I caught most of them,
but I am now absolutely sure where I send a bullet and what is beyond.

walks with gun · « **Reply #23 on:** June 27, 2009, 07:59:31 AM »

Over 25 years ago I commented to my dad ( don't the rings in the butt of that oak log loook like the rings of a target) it was late winter, so I pulled my .45 out and fired a roundball into it, she bounced off and came back about 20yards and wacked me in the shin stung but no real damage. Thats the second time Iv'e done something like that with a .45.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 27, 2009, 08:55:23 AM »

Shooting my 38 special at a concrete block I had a bullet bounce back and hit me in the chest. The velocity was very slow and I almost caught it in my hand.

ratgunner · « **Reply #25 on:** June 27, 2009, 11:45:24 AM »

.45 acp with fmj will bounce off trees like a pinball machine.Kinda scary when you hear the bullet whacking back and forth between several trees and whiring nearby.

Tiapan64 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 28, 2009, 05:52:22 AM »

Many years ago....A friend and I were sighting in out deer rifles for deer season on the riverbed. After getting them dialed in I was walking around kickin around in the sand and found a large trick universal joint. Well being me...I set it up as a target at 50 yrds and fired me 30.06 at it. At which time I felt a sting on my leg....looked down and didn't see anything so went on about my business of inspecting the UV joint. Anyway, we loaded up shortly and headed for home, dropped him off and went home...needed to go to the bathroom and proceeded to sit on the thrown when I notice a red mark on my middle thigh...like a line with a little dried blood around it...rubbed it and it yawned open....I'm like what the @#$@. It is about 1" long and deep, so I look on the back of the sink and grab the tweezers and open it up again and there inside if this cut is a peice of the jacket from my round I fired into the UV joint, I pull it out of the wound and it is about 1" long X 3/8 " deep and looks like a copper razer. After finishing my business I washed my hands real good and dressed the wound and to this day....I do NOT shoot at thick steel objects that are near me....LESSON LEARNED!! The cut it made in my pants and leg looked like a scapel had cut me....it was wierd, very little blood
and very little pain, even when pulling it out of my leg. Healed well and barely visible scar on my thigh. Don't know what I was thinking when I shot that....it could have been my or my friends eye.

ratgunner · « **Reply #27 on:** June 28, 2009, 06:48:23 AM »

Yep we all need to remember shooting glasses.And Tiapan64,you were lucky it wasnt closer to your crotch.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:15:03 AM »

I shot my 45 acp into a lawnmover engine block at a dump one time and a nice sized fragment hit me in the ribs and left a big whelt and one hit my buddy in the leg. Put the hurt on me. I haven't tried that again. A little different situation but my brother shot a porcelain toilet at the dump behind my brother in laws house. I had walked up to the house for something and when I got back several of them were "smarting" and rubbing the various stinging spots on them where the shot had bounced back and hit them. I still laugh when I think about that (of course since nobody was hurt).

Catfish · « **Reply #29 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:39:32 AM »

There is always a chance of a rickochet, but proper bullet selection will help. Both Sierra and Speer make 110 gr. .357 HP bullets will be destroid on impact, but will still dislodge other things.