Salop Matt Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hay folks am looking forward to later this year putting in for my FAC but am plagued by the thought of a richochet and the damage it could do etc . Does anyone know of any instances where damage has been done by a rifle richochet in any calibre ? ESP .22rf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) a 22lr round that has ricoched is like a bouncing bomb. It would certainly kill someone if it bounced off a hard surface or frozen ground. They will go whizzing off making all sorts of sounds, but you can hear that they are still travelling at some speed. As for larger calibres, there is always a possibility of this happening. However, due to the higher velocities, the bullet is more likely to fragment than the 22. All bullets will bounce off water if the angle is small enough. I've had a couple of my .17 rounds ricochet, but that's out of about 500 rounds. In answer to your question, I've not had this ever happen to me, where damage has been caused (cautious shooter) so I can't help with any actual evidence. Edited January 22, 2009 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) Yes there is a lot of power in a rikoshay. But The noise you hear is energy being transfered from one form to the other ie - momentum to sound. Therefore as the bullet is deformed (and some will be absorbed by the ground) it will rapidly loose velocity and therefore energy. If you have ever shot a .22 tracer more than 100 yards it starts to fall very rapidly even when aerodynamic. HOWEVER - I do not underestimate how dangerous a .22 is having seen what it can do to a rabbit at 100 yards. I have seen a shot hit the ground in front of a rabbit and it then hit and kill the rabbit. Edited January 22, 2009 by markm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsportshooter Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) Hay folks am looking forward to later this year putting in for my FAC but am plagued by the thought of a richochet and the damage it could do etc . Does anyone know of any instances where damage has been done by a rifle richochet in any calibre ? ESP .22rf. Check your backstop...... Simple as that. If you've got a good backstop behind your quarry then you'll be safe (and when I say good I mean good in two ways 1.it absorbs the projectile, ie it is soft to a the extent that the round penetrates the backstop and 2. solid/robust enough to contain the round) remember backstops should be at angles to the line of fire (the more flat on a backstop is the better) land rising at a shallow angle behind quary is treacherous as are over-hard backstops such as concrete or hard metals. If you always consider the safety of a shot before you take it you won't go far wrong. As for when ricochets happen - remember that the round itself (if using subs) is 40 grains (2.6Grams) of lead travelling at 1000+ Fps at the muzzle and from that second on it's slowing down. When the bullet itself strikes an object (no matter what the angle) it immediately loses more velocity, should it ricochet, it continues on it's path whilst it continues to slow (it cannot gain velocity). Bearing in mind that .22lr is considered lethal to 1 mile under ultimate conditions (I would suggest that distance/lethality would be without any obstructions) as long as you factor this value in then you can completely rest assured - that is not to say that by some cruel act of fate the ricocheted round couldn't hit someone in the eye and cause a fatal blood clot in the brain (but let's face it that is so far from likely that I would suggest you wouldn't even consider it - If you think that much you are probably agoraphobic, so don’t get out much anyway) Remember check your backstop and take the shot when you are happy there is something behind your quarry that can absorb the round safely should you miss. Getting up high obviously increases the ability to achieve a good backstop (as you are firing down towards the ground - providing you are firing at earth rather than concrete). From your post the main thing I realise is that you have consideration of safety - Keep this as paramount when you get your FAC and you'll have no worries. Edited January 22, 2009 by Newsportshooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ricochets are a bit of a myth, they do happen but very rarely if you take proper control. What is more likely is that the bullet just goes straight through and keep going. So shooting rabbits on the skyline of a hill etc is a no no. You always have to assess whats behind your quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rec-baller Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 i was talking to a mate of mine the other day, he had been out shooting on a farm and heard a shot ricochet, a few days later the farmer rang him up and asked him to explain why he,d been "shooting"at the caravans stored on the farm, when my mate went to look at the caravan he found a bullet hole in one !!! cost him £70 to get the caravan mended !!! shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsportshooter Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I know its been on here before but check this out for a richochet.... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc Admitedly it is a .50BMG - so 'just' a little more powerful than a .22lr.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazkb Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 bloke shooting at the loacal golf club shot a rabbit with a .22lr and missed, he ended up minus a car window and it was his own car as well obviousley he wasn't very smart but it just shows what can happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Consider FAC air gun or .17HMR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune82 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 There was a case in South West Scotland where a guy shooting rabbits on a golf course with a .22 rimfire magnum had a ricochet. The bullet travelled several hundred metres, went through the wall of a caravan and lodged in the door of the fridge. There was a family in the caravan at the time but thankfully no one was hurt. The case went to court and the bloke said he wasnt aware of any ricochets that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleaner4hire Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 where we shoot i dont think you will have any drama's with richochets mate, plus you have a sensible head on your shoulders so just go for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinea Fowl Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Does anyone know of any instances where damage has been done by a rifle richochet in any calibre ? ESP .22rf. Look at >this video< its a 50cal tho, but good to watch!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I seem to recall a case in the Shooting Times a number of years ago that involved two brothers out shooting rabbits-the plan was for one to walk one way around a very large field whilst the other went the opposite way until they met at an agreed time/place.When one of the 2 had been waiting in the designated place for a considerable time he decided to look for his missing brother who was finally discovered quite dead having been hit in the head by, what turned out to be ,a ricochet from his opposite brothers gun-my memory is a bit vague im afraid but i remember that the guns were .22lr.I have used both the .22 and the .17 and i consider the latter to be a far "safer" round where ricochets are concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traztaz Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 If you think .22 can leap about try brenneks from a shotgun, that fikker flys and bounces like a ping pong ball!!If you ever use it be wary, very wary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 I've stopped using my .22lr's as they were constantly bouncing on the meadows last summer. As its got wetter and the grounds got softer they have been used again... The yellow jackets l use never rick, as they are HV, as the guys say though its all about whats behind the intended target... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Ricochets are a bit of a myth, they do happen but very rarely if you take proper control. What is more likely is that the bullet just goes straight through and keep going. So shooting rabbits on the skyline of a hill etc is a no no. You always have to assess whats behind your quarry. You have either never used or dont own a .22lr if you think ricochets are a myth or indeed rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinea Fowl Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Ricochets are a bit of a myth, they do happen but very rarely if you take proper control. Mate when i was in school in South Africa we had shooting as a school sport. And i can guarantee you that every step was taken to ensure that safety was paramount. We had a 10 feet high sand bank behind the targets and we were shooting through a wooden tunnel(not sure what you call it). There was 30 shooters and we had 100 rounds a day to practice with and i can guarantee you we had at least 10 ricochets every day. If you walk on the field behind the range you will be amazed to see just how many rounds there was lying around on the grass. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Guinea, Thats just scary! Was that with Subs or HV's? T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyflier Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) "The yellow jackets l use never rick, as they are HV," Really tommo? Edited February 3, 2009 by hyflier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ricochets are a bit of a myth, they do happen but very rarely if you take proper control. What is more likely is that the bullet just goes straight through and keep going. So shooting rabbits on the skyline of a hill etc is a no no. You always have to assess whats behind your quarry. Ricochet's aren't a myth at all. Haven't you shot a 22lr? As cautious as you might be, you can't see if there's a rock or stone lying on the ground where you're shooting. What you're saying, about shooting rabbits on a hill has nothing to do with ricochet, it's just common sense...! Do you know what a ricochet is?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I'm not even convinced they need a rock or stine, I've had them come off dry grassland. and not just one it was one after the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Years ago there was little option but to use .22lr and it gained a reputation that some land owners simply will not stand for period. In fact these - in my opinion gave "rimfire" a bad name. Much safer rimfire rounds have become available - and the improvements are undeniable to those who are well enough informed. They are more expensive - but this is esily offset by thinking how easily you would lose your ticket in the event that the shoot through or ricochet hits someone or something of value. Yes they are noiser - call it a good reason for someone out there to know a shooter is in the vicinity if you like. Rabbits still stand for it as they cannot detect the source of the sonic crack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Considering the number of shots I've fired in the field with the .22lr I've had a lot of ricochets. I don't shoot .22lr anywhere apart from the club now as I really don't trust it. A lot will argue that it's a great round. Subsonic but with enough power to kill a Fox at sensible ranges. No matter how great it is in the field I wont use it. I'd rather spook a Rabbit with the HMR than bump off a hiker with a .22! I haven't done any damage with a .22lr as far as I'm aware, but I've had several ricochets go through hedges. It's only luck that's kept me in the clear. Even a careful shot can be caught out by it. Go for a HMR or .22 Hornet mate, unless you shoot very hilly ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytim38 Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Richochets are a fact not myth .22lr a more prone to them because of there relatively low velocity, but ANY bullet can rico given the correct circumstances, the important factor is the angle that the bullet strikes the ground, (like skiming flat stones off water) a back stop must be a good one, dont ******* kid yourself if you have any doubt, a rico will kill. I have even had ricos when zeroing my .243 with a good backstop if you hit a stone in the ground it will happen. If you got any doubt type .50 cal richocet into u tube it should sharpen your focus!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 i shoot both 22lr and17hmr,the 22 is just waiting for an excuse to bounce,yet the only time ive had the hmr bounce was using fmj s which i consider a waste of time as they provide no advantage if you use headshots.the 17hmr is an excellent though often misunderstood and maligned round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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