A ricochet
( RICK-uh-shay
) is a rebound, bounce or skip off a surface, particularly in the case of a projectile. The possibility of ricochet is one of the reasons for the common firearm's safety rule "Be sure of your target—and of what is beyond it."
|
RICOCHET TICKETS
|
Variables
The likelihood of ricochet is dependent on many factors, including bullet shape, velocity (and distance), target material and the angle of incidence.
[1]
Bullet
Bullet construction has a major factor in determining both the likelihood of ricochet as well as where the bullet will travel afterward. Hard bullets have a greater tendency to penetrate than softer ones. Bullets that break up, such as
varmint hunting bullets have a low risk of ricochet. This is one of the reasons the newer
.17 HMR round with its
frangible bullet has gained popularity against the older non-fragmenting
.22 WMR, because of the lower chance of ricochet.
Velocity
Ricochets are often more common with low power calibers such as
.22 or
.177 calibre, which can have trouble penetrating some materials, although a ricochet can occur with
any
caliber. Higher velocity projectiles have a tendency to either penetrate the target, and/or to break-up on contact with it.
Target material
Bullets are more likely to ricochet off flat, hard surfaces such as concrete or steel, however a ricochet can occur on almost any surface including grassed soil, given a flat enough angle when hit. Materials that are soft, give easily, or can absorb the impact have a lower incidence of ricochet, for example sand.
[2] Though it may not be obvious, bullets easily ricochet off water.
[3] [4]
Angle
The angle of departure, both vertically and horizontally, is difficult to calculate or predict due to the many variables involved, not the least of which is deformation of the bullet caused by its impact with the surface it strikes.
[5] Ricochets will almost always continue on a somewhat diagonal trajectory to their original trajectory, unless it is against a flat surface perpendicular to the angle of incidence (or approach), in which case, it will reflect at an angle dependent on the other variables involved in the ricochet incident.
Dangers
Ricochets are a common danger of shooting because after bouncing off an object the bullet that ricochets poses an 'unpredictable' and serious danger of causing
collateral damage to bystanders, animals, objects, or even the person who fired the shot. When the deformed projectile does hit a bystander or another target it can become very dangerous. Instead of cleanly traveling through the "body/object", the bullet can behave more like a
hollow point bullet, causing a larger wound cavity, or even fragmenting and causing multiple wound channels.
In rare cases, ricochets can return to the shooter.
[6] [7] This occurs when the object struck possesses enough resistance to withstand the impact of the bullet, and whose surface is perpendicular to the shooter. Some bullets are designed to deform at the nose, which is the main reason for the bullet ricocheting at such an extreme angle and returning in the shooter's direction.
See also
References
- Bullet Ricochet: A Comprehensive Review , Burke, TW, Rowe, WF, Journal of Forensic Sciences, September 1, 1992
- The Box O' Truth #7 - The Sands O' Truth
- Haag, L.C., "Bullet Ricochet from Water," AFTE Journal, Vol. 11, No. 3, July 1979, pp. 27-34.
- Nennstiel, R., "Study of Bullet Ricochet on a Water Surface," AFTE Journal, Vol. 16, No. 3, July 1984, pp. 88-93.
- Jauhari, M., "Approximate Relationship Between the Angles of Incident and Ricochet for Practical Application in the Field of Forensic Science," Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science, Vol. 62, 1970, pp. 122-125.
- "A case of “boomerang” bullet ricochet", International Journal of Legal Medicine, October 1, 2001
- .50 sniper gets hit by riochet bullet