Can a Bowling Ball Stop a Bullet?

This video from Yee Yee Life conducts a practical, albeit informal, ballistics test to determine how many bamboo cutting boards are needed to stop various common bullet calibers. The experiment progresses from a .22 LR, which is stopped by the first board, up to a .50 BMG, which penetrates all eight boards. The host demonstrates safe handling and showcases a variety of firearms used in the tests, providing a visual comparison of bullet energy versus material resistance.

This video tests how many sheets of standard construction plywood are needed to stop various firearm calibers. Results show .22 LR stops at 4 sheets, 9mm at 6, .44 Magnum at 6 (bounced), .50 AE at 9, 7.62 NATO at 14, and .50 BMG penetrated all sheets and a dummy target. The test highlights significant differences in projectile energy and penetration capabilities across common calibers.

This video tests the bullet-stopping capabilities of a large, dense ball of dried paint. Surprisingly, the paint successfully stopped .22 LR, 9mm, and .44 Magnum rounds. However, it was easily penetrated by a .45 ACP and completely overwhelmed by a .50 AE. The results suggest dried paint offers more ballistic resistance than commonly assumed, especially against moderate handgun calibers.

This video tests the bullet-stopping capabilities of leather holster backings, revealing surprising effectiveness. Different handgun calibers, from .22 LR to .500 S&W Magnum, were fired into stacks of 1/4-inch thick leather. The results show a significant number of leather layers are required to stop even powerful rounds, with the .50 AE requiring 26 layers. The experiment highlights leather's potential as a ballistic material.

This ballistic test by Kentucky Ballistics explores if a standard residential air conditioner can serve as effective cover. While smaller calibers like .22 LR and 9mm are stopped by internal coils, larger rounds like .44 Magnum and .50 AE are often halted by the dense compressor unit. Even powerful rifle rounds struggle to penetrate the compressor, which acts as the only reliable stopping point, though it's a small target. The conclusion is that an AC unit offers poor ballistic protection.

This video tests how many decks of cards are needed to stop a bullet. A .22 LR round was stopped by two decks, while a 9mm round penetrated four decks and was stopped by the fifth. The experiment highlights the varying penetration capabilities of different calibers through a common medium.

This video tests the ballistic resistance of an excavator bucket against various calibers, from .22 LR to .50 BMG API. While smaller calibers and even .450 Bushmaster and .308 were stopped, the .50 caliber Armor Piercing Incendiary round successfully penetrated the bucket, destroying a dummy target behind it. The test highlights the significant difference in terminal effects between standard rifle rounds and specialized armor-piercing ammunition.

This video tests the penetration capabilities of various calibers against a large pine tree, culminating with a .50 BMG API round. Surprisingly, even powerful rifle rounds like 5.56mm and 7.62mm, as well as handgun rounds like 10mm and .44 Magnum, failed to fully penetrate the tree. The .50 BMG API round, while charring the entry point, also did not exit the back of the tree, demonstrating the significant stopping power of a substantial tree trunk.

This video tests the penetration capabilities of various firearms rounds in a swimming pool, from .22 LR to .50 BMG. Surprisingly, higher velocity rifle rounds like the .223 and .308 fragmented quickly, while the .50 AE Desert Eagle traveled the furthest at 190 inches. The .50 BMG sniper rifle, despite its power, only penetrated 61 inches, likely due to massive energy displacement.

This video tests the ballistic resistance of a Secret Service Suburban window against various calibers, from .22 LR to .50 BMG. While smaller calibers and even a 10mm and .44 Magnum were stopped with varying degrees of damage, the window was eventually penetrated by a .50 BMG sniper rifle round. The testing provides a clear demonstration of the limits of armored vehicle glass against high-powered rifle threats.