How Many Basketballs Does it Take to Stop a Bullet?

Published on February 21, 2026
Duration: 12:04

This video from Yee Yee Life explores the ballistic penetration capabilities of various firearms and ammunition types through basketballs. Lead Firearms Instructor and SEO Strategist Parker demonstrates the stopping power of .22LR, 9mm (FMJ and Hollow Point), 12 Gauge (Birdshot and Slug), and .50 BMG rounds. The experiment highlights how different projectile designs and calibers interact with a soft, yielding medium like a basketball, offering practical insights into terminal ballistics and the limitations of improvised barriers.

Quick Summary

Basketballs offer very limited ballistic resistance. A .22LR penetrated 5 balls, while a 9mm FMJ went through 20. Larger calibers like 12 Gauge slugs and .50 BMG also penetrated numerous basketballs, demonstrating they are not a viable substitute for proper body armor.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Bullet vs. Basketball Challenge
  2. 00:42.22LR Test Setup & Prediction
  3. 01:11.22LR Test Execution & Results
  4. 01:359mm Test Setup & Initial Results
  5. 01:499mm FMJ Test Execution & Results
  6. 02:5112 Gauge Birdshot Test Setup
  7. 03:14Helicopter Flyover & Birdshot Shot
  8. 03:3912 Gauge Birdshot Results
  9. 04:06Crossbow Test (Original Plan B)
  10. 04:30Crossbow Test Execution & Results
  11. 05:19Crossbow vs. Bullet Penetration Comparison
  12. 06:019mm Hollow Point Test Setup
  13. 06:269mm Hollow Point Test Execution & Results
  14. 07:0512 Gauge Slug Test Setup
  15. 07:2712 Gauge Slug Test Execution & Results
  16. 08:02.50 BMG Test Setup (New Day, More Balls)
  17. 08:49.50 BMG Test Execution & Results
  18. 10:11Conclusion & Giveaway
  19. 11:26Farmball Game

Frequently Asked Questions

How many basketballs can a .22LR bullet penetrate?

In a ballistic test, a .22LR round was able to penetrate five basketballs before stopping. The bullet was found bouncing inside the sixth basketball.

What was the penetration depth of a 9mm FMJ round through basketballs?

A 9mm FMJ round demonstrated significant penetration power, going through all 20 basketballs set up in the test. It continued to strike a mannequin positioned behind the balls.

Does 12 Gauge birdshot penetrate as much as a slug?

No, 12 Gauge birdshot showed less penetration, cleanly going through two basketballs. The shotgun wad and BBs were found within the third, while a 12 Gauge slug penetrated 14 basketballs.

How effective are basketballs at stopping bullets?

Basketballs are not effective as body armor. Even smaller caliber rounds like .22LR can penetrate multiple balls, and larger calibers like 9mm and .50 BMG pass through many, highlighting their limited ballistic resistance.

More General Videos You Might Like

More from Yee Yee Life

View all →