Will Body Armor Stop a Ricochet???

Published on March 23, 2021
Duration: 16:25

This video from DemolitionRanch, featuring Matt Carriker, provides an expert-level look at how body armor performs against ricocheting bullets. The tests demonstrate that while most ricochets lose significant energy and fragment, high-mass calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG can still retain lethal energy and penetrate advanced armor after impacting steel. The channel's extensive collection and experience are evident in the detailed testing methodology.

Quick Summary

Body armor performance against ricocheting bullets varies significantly by caliber. While lower-power rounds like 9mm and fragmented 5.56mm often lose enough energy to be stopped, high-mass calibers such as .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG can retain lethal energy and penetrate armor even after impacting steel targets.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Humorous Intro Skit
  2. 01:50Ricochet Experiment Introduction
  3. 03:119mm Ricochet Test
  4. 05:46.45 ACP Armor Test
  5. 06:015.56mm AR-15 Test
  6. 07:18.308 FAL Testing
  7. 08:32.308 Armor Piercing Test
  8. 09:58.338 Lapua Magnum Test
  9. 13:43.50 BMG Extreme Test
  10. 15:27Final Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Can body armor stop a ricocheting bullet?

Body armor can stop some ricocheting bullets, especially from lower-power handgun rounds like 9mm or fragmented rifle rounds. However, high-mass calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG can retain enough energy after ricocheting to penetrate even advanced armor systems, as demonstrated in tests by DemolitionRanch.

What happens to bullets that ricochet off steel?

When bullets ricochet off steel, they typically lose significant velocity and energy. Many smaller caliber rounds will fragment upon impact with the steel or the subsequent target. High-mass rounds, however, can retain enough momentum to penetrate targets even after ricocheting.

Which calibers are most dangerous as ricochets?

High-mass and high-velocity calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG pose the greatest threat as ricochets. These rounds retain significant energy and penetration capability even after impacting a steel surface, potentially defeating body armor.

Does body armor protect against fragmentation from ricochets?

Yes, body armor is generally effective at stopping fragments from shattered bullets that result from ricochets. The primary concern with ricochets is the retained kinetic energy of the intact projectile, which can still penetrate armor if the caliber is sufficiently powerful.

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