Re: Bullet fired into air...

"David Steuber" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Yardpilot" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> > No, one cannot, unless one accepts the premise as fact. In that case,
one
> > will be wrong.
> >
> >
> > http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/March01.htm
>
> I missed the citations of Hatcher's Notebook there.  Plagiarism
> perhaps?  Or maybe I just skimmed it too quickly.
>
> It should be noted that the velocity of 300fps is the maximum allowed
> at a typical paint ball range.

That's not really a valid comparison; after all, which would you rather be
in the path of: a 150-grain lead bullet moving at 300fps or a nice, squishy
paintball moving at 300fps?

> I'm still not sure what a 'disabling wound' is supposed to be.  In
> any case, if the wound was as serious as the report said, that shot
> was likely not into the air but right at the guy's head.  Something
> is amiss somewhere.

The bullet definitely won't come back down with enough force to create a
through-and-through wound to the skull, but I wouldn't be surprised if it
could cause a concussion, or maybe even a small fracture.

> I'm not saying falling bullets are harmless.  Just that they can't
> kill you.  Not when the drop straight down from being fired straight
> up.


> Not unless they are over a certain weight anyway.  Heavier
> rounds are less affected by air drag.  Shape also matters.

That, next to terminal velocity, is your biggest variable.  A 40-grain .22LR
round would probably only leave a welt, whereas a 230-grain .45 hardball
would probably be something to worry about.