ricochets?

[slipper 116]

I know ricochets are common with the 22, but is there any way of reducing the risk, and how far will a ricochet travel?

[paulus 26]

good back stop, about as much energy left in the round as an air rifle, they sound a lot worse than they are in reality due to the miss shapen round

[HUnter_zero 58]

_{Don't shoot at shallow angles. Ploughed fields are deadly places for the .22rf. So, try to choose safer places to shoot or shoot from an elevated position. As for range, some chap in Norma (iirc) did some testing, 30-50% of the max range of the calibre if shot at 45degs. So thats a fair way.}

 

_John

[slipper 116]

thanks lads

[paulus 26]

for the armchair ballistic experts

 

Let’s look at what I’d consider a worst-case scenario and if anyone disagrees....I ain’t gunna attempt to gather any empirical evidence with live bodies to prove I’m right and you’re wrong. LOL

 

I’ll first try to calculate the maximum range of a 22 rimfire without a ricochet and I’ll use a BC of 0.150 and a muzzle velocity of 1,075 ft/sec at standard atmospheric conditions.

We’ll elevate the muzzle to approximately 35 degrees since maximum range is only achieved in a vacuum at the oft incorrectly assumed 45 degree angle and we’ll use a modification of Professor Art Pejsa’s formulas for calculating maximum range with a pinch of interpolation from some testing done at the BRL (Ballistic Research Lab).

After half a page of doodling on a note pad, I come up with 2,000 yds for the lowly 22 rimfire. And, no I’m not going to show you all the chicken scratching I did to determine this value. This isn’t any scientific investigation that must meet the requirements for a peer review....just an exercise in curiosity.

 

Now, let’s fire this same bullet and have it impact at 25 yds and subsequently ricochet at the same 35 degree angle which maximizes downrange distance potential.

At the stated 25 yds, the bullet has slowed to 1,039 ft/sec and we’ll stay with the “worst-case” and figure for that velocity after it ricochets (Not possible of course).

There “will” be damage to the bullet and it’ll suffer degradation in its aerodynamic shape even if it glances off of a perfectly smooth slab of “unobtanium” someone left at the range, so we’ll look at three different BC’s of 0.150, 0.100, and 0.050 which produces the following conclusions:

 

0.150 BC = 1,900 yd Max Range

Red Ryder Lethality Range = 800 yds

 

0.100BC = 1,400 yd Max Range

Red Ryder Lethality Range = 550 yds

 

0.050 BC = 700 yd Max Range

Red Ryder Lethality Range = 280 yds

 

The Red Ryder Lethality Range is a very complex algorithm that “Armchair Ballisticians” use for very accurate quantifications of how much it used to hurt when as kids we fired these at each other.

 

Remember, this is just a guess for the “Worst-Case” and all the distances above are “probably” too high.

[tegater 789]

.22rf ricochets like most other bullets, and there are loads of people who have been killed by ricochets from .22rf. The one thing you need to be aware of is that ricochets are completely unpredictable although there are certain angles that are more likely.

A ricochet that just glances an object, will have an opening ricochet angle that will be slight, but with a very little reduction in the energy. A ricochet at an acute angle, MAY have a reduced energy.

 

Treat a ricochets as a full energy bullet, or you may regret it.

[slipper 116]

what are the more likely angles a ricochet will travel?

[tegater 789]

Most likely to about 30 degrees but can ricochets to Any angle, so be safe, and always consider where your bullet could go, with lethal velocity if you miss.

[slipper 116]

thanks for the info

[dedger 16]

I remember reading about an unlucky fella being killed by a .22rf ricochet while being out with his family for a picnic, he was hit in the temple a few hundred yards away, the lad who did it didn't even know till a knock on the door from the police, when they worked out the final bullet impact energy, it was only doing 16lb/ft, so it goes without saying allways be sure of your backdrop, if not sure don't shoot.

[jmj121 30]

what happened to the lad.......

[Greg223 4]

Ive had a ricochet at the range( hit a baffle square on) it hit my forhead never brused just a red dot for an hour that was using lapua stanard club at 25m