If you have ever done much action pistol shooting at close range on steel targets, you’ll know about the hazards of ricochets and bullet splashback. That’s why you should only shoot low-velocity rounds with soft lead or frangible bullets when shooting at relatively close range. In this video a rather ignorant (yet lucky) fellow demonstrates what NOT to do with a large-caliber rifle (a 50 BMG apparently). He shoots at a steel target about 70 yards away and a bullet fragment comes back directly at him. He was lucky enough that the ricochet just smacked his left ear muff. Another inch to the right and he could have lost his eye… or worse.
Click HERE to WATCH Video (LiveLeak)
The video should be self-starting if you have the Flash plug-in.
Lesson learned–never underestimate the destructive power of rifle-launched projectiles. What appears a “safe distance” from steel may actually be well within the danger zone.
That was scary. I’m glad he was alright.I found your site from a Google Alert a have for the word AR-15. I want to shoot more accurately, so I’ll have to check this site out.
Comment by Girl600 — August 5, 2007 @ 8 am