Mitigating ricochets?

Discuss things related to firearm training and tactics.
Post Reply
User avatar
picodroid
New to ArizonaShooting.org
New to ArizonaShooting.org
Posts: 7
Joined: July 30th, 2020, 9:24 am
Reputation: 0
Location: Gilbert

Mitigating ricochets?

#1

Post by picodroid »

I'm curious what you all do to mitigate ricochets. I'd consider myself still relatively new to target shooting, but in the few dozen times I've been out - I always hear lots of ricochets. They are more audible with electric ear pro on, but many are definitely audible with standard ear pro, so they worry me about how close they are.

It happens when shooting soft round nose .22 federal, all the way up to fmj 5.56. Generally shooting at cardboard/paper targets on a stand. My backdrops are natural "dirt" slopes, which are surely full of plenty of rocks. Is it simply down to this, causing the ricochets? If so - how the hell does everyone shoot so often yet there's barely any injuries or damages caused by the ricochets? I really hate going to ranges, and would love to shoot on public land but these ricochets are so concerning.

If it helps, here's some screenshots of two spots I like, but get ricochets at constantly. You guys might recognize them (near the Queen Valley area). They are both heavily used, so what gives??

Image

Image


User avatar
Boriqua
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 3424
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 7:31 am
Reputation: 16
Location: East Mesa

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#2

Post by Boriqua »

My wife at a AZS group shoot took some shrapnel from a ricochet but the target was hanging steel, too heavy for the loads being shot at it and it was 90 degrees to the ground and so pointed right back at the shooters. I think it would be hard to replicate while shooting into a mountain that slopes up and away. I personally wouldnt worry about it but .. I may just be thick headed
QuietM4
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 2125
Joined: May 15th, 2018, 8:36 pm
Reputation: 12
Location: Tempe

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#3

Post by QuietM4 »

Don't worry about it. You have zero control over it, other to not go shooting in an incredibly heavy firearms usage area.

You are overthinking it.
User avatar
Matwell
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 82
Joined: January 17th, 2019, 4:53 pm
Reputation: 0
Location: Arizona

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#4

Post by Matwell »

That being said, have a plan should a zinger come out of nowhere or someone has a ND. IFAK or a couple of pressure bandages can come in handy when you need them.
User avatar
BigNate
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 647
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 5:56 pm
Reputation: 4
Location: Phoenix

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#5

Post by BigNate »

Carry good first aid gear.

Don't shoot at heavy flat surfaces with low power / hard / FMJ rounds (shooting at a 1/2" AR500 full size silhouette at 5 yards with low power rounds - bad idea - as the round may not splatter vertically and the target may not deflect enough to ricochet into the ground).

Set your targets so that rounds generally go into the softest backstop material that you can find (something like a cinder pit or soft dirt hillside is great).

If you hear ricochet's coming back past you - then you are shooting into a very hard / flat surface of some sort. Move a bit, move back a bit, change your angle, etc. until that is not happening anymore.

Have fun - and don't stress over stuff.
User avatar
smithers599
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 4362
Joined: June 29th, 2018, 6:58 am
Reputation: 23
Location: East side

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#6

Post by smithers599 »

When you hear that sound that sounds like bees buzzing, that means the bullets have destabilized, and are spinning end over end. If one hits you, it hurts like a birthing person fornicator and draws blood, but except in the most bizarre unusual circumstances, will not penetrate more than the skin. So for that, carry a first aid kit with antiseptic and gauze/tape/band-aids. And for God's sake, everybody -- even spectators -- wear wraparound eye protection to keep a fragment from hitting an eye.

Also be aware that if you shoot on steel, the bullets usually fragment, with the fragments traveling at 90 degrees to the surface of the plate. So, don't stand at 90 degrees from the plate, don't park your car 90 degrees from the plate, don't leave your shooting bag at the base of the target, etc. Watch some high-speed camera videos of bullets hitting plates.
User avatar
Tenring
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 2483
Joined: June 2nd, 2018, 10:13 am
Reputation: 7
Location: Cave Creek

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#7

Post by Tenring »

Don't shoot at bowling pins with .22 shorts!
User avatar
Cmoor
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 154
Joined: November 19th, 2021, 10:31 pm
Reputation: 2
Location: Yavapai

Re: Mitigating ricochets?

#8

Post by Cmoor »

You can also be assured when you hear them buzzing like this they are quickly loosing momentum and power too.
Post Reply