Well tonight I found myself watching one of the only shows on TV that is truly worth my time anymore...Mythbusters. For those that haven't seen it, and as the name implies, they test common misconceptions within the world we live with real world science. Pretty neat show.

It brought me to think about the shooting sports in general and any common myths or misconceptions that are testable. Not that I plan on testing any of them myself but just thought it might make a nice broad topic for discussion.

Mythbusters is awesome, I try to make sure I watch every episode, even though there are tons of people who complain about them not testing correctly, etc. Definetly worth my time, and it's really entertaining.

I agree that the show is great.

I saw one of their shows that dealt with the myth that a bullet fired straight up in the air could come back to earth with enough force to kill someone. They showed that a bullet falling straight down reaches terminal velocity and does not have enough energy to kill anyone.

But, they did point out that shooting straight up is almost impossible. Most shots into the air are at an angle and that the more angulation to the shot the more energy that the bullet retains on its trip back down.

Doug

caught most of the episode about someone getting blown thru a saloon window by a 44/40 or 12 ga. they busted that one. Kurt.

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The bullets tested on Mythbusters were a 9mm pistol and a 30-06,not sure how many grains each.In any event the terminal velocity was near as dammit identical for both and it was nowhere near 350fps.

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Not doubting your source of info for one minute but there must be different ways of measuring terminal velocity,theirs seemed fairly foolproof.

I have seen a 9m/m bullet stuck in a composition roof with plywood decking flush to the base, landed point first. I bet that would penatrate a skull, and make for a very bad day.

Hog Killer

another myth- high enegry kills/ or you have to "dump" the energy into living tissue to kill more quickly.

on the show where they tested the vertical shooting, they showed that bullets typically do not fall point down, but flutter on their side. could one tumble and fall point down, sure. but more likely the bullet found in the roof and other examples were not fired straight up, but at an angle as stated.

The falling bullet myth was quite well done. If you remember, the final outcome was "Busted", "Plausible" and "Confirmed".

"Busted" on the premise that if the bullet reached the apex of it's flight, still in the vertical plane, it would stop, and then fall back to earth by virtue of it's own mass. This bullet would not gather enough energy to kill or even seriously injure.
"Plausible" on the basis that it is virtually impossible to fire a bullet directly upwards, so the bullets path would be in an arc and would still retain much of it's energy at the apex of it's trajectory.
"Confirmed." I think the X-Rays said enough here.

Mythbuster is the show that should set the standard for reality TV.

I have a book some where from the '60s written by a old guy from NZ. He takes issue with the notion of gun shots blowing animals off their feet. He uses an equation to show that a cricket ball (or baseball) travelling at 100mph imparts more energy to the area hit than a rifle round. It's based on the weight of the projectile, it's speed and (most importantly) the distance in which it takes for the projectile to stop moving. I'll see if I can find it.

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He uses an equation to show that a cricket ball (or baseball) travelling at 100mph imparts more energy to the area hit than a rifle round.

Having seen Curtley Ambrose bowl, I'd be inclined to agree!!

The only one that pissed me off is when they used full copper jackets ( fmj's) for the 50 BMG. I would like to see the test done with Barnes Solids. Humongenous (SC?) & needle pointed. Not sure of the outcome but it should make better penetration, no?

Yeah, where they shot them into water? They thought it was definitive if a FMJ busted then everything would've. They aren't the most knowledgable in guns and stuff, but they make the show humerous and fun to watch.

Great show. I watch it every day. Another show is Dog bounty hunter. He is one weard looking bounty hunter.

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dougaboy: a bullet falling straight down reaches terminal velocity and does not have enough energy to kill anyone

A 30 caliber bullet came down one Halloween, hit our driveway, chipped the concrete and mushroomed perfectly. I'm glad it did not hit the house, or my family.

fla3006,

I have no doubt that you are right about the bullet that hit your driveway. Bullets shot into the air can kill.

Aussie Dave's post above did a much better job than mine of explaining the results of the test. The point is that a bullet fired at an angle, which I am sure your's was, is dangerous. The test of the bullet falling straight down was more hypothetical, it seems to me, than practical.

Doug

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I just watch it for the redhead

Myths:

Semi autos are only good for spray-and-pray
.44 Magnum will peel the paint off of barns and blow grown men backwards onto thier back
7mm Mag will make an exit would 24" across on a whitetail doe
.22 caliber weapons won't kill a deer



And my two favorite from the gun show; "Hitler's Walther" and "Rommel's Luger"

Fjold - redhead is a vegetarian

Mythbusters said bullet not spinning when landing, but seem to remember Hatcher's book stating that a bullet would still be spinning. If I remember right, would beleive Hatcher first.

she's a veggie, but a damn fine looking veggie!

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Originally posted by Fjold:
I just watch it for the redhead

Maybe good enough for another fine avatar for you?

This redhead that had a photo shoot for FHM magazine

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Originally posted by .366torque:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I just watch it for the redhead

Maybe good enough for another fine avatar for you?

What avatar?

WWWOOOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

MUCHISIMO GRACIAS Fjold!!!

Fjold,





John