Will Body Armor Stop a Ricochet???

Published on March 23, 2021
Duration: 16:25

This video from Demolition Ranch, featuring Matt Carriker, conducts a comprehensive test on whether body armor can stop ricochets from various calibers. The expert-level testing demonstrates that while smaller calibers often fragment upon ricochet, larger, high-mass rounds like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG retain significant energy and can penetrate advanced armor systems, highlighting the extreme lethality of these rounds even after deflection.

Quick Summary

Body armor's ability to stop a ricochet varies by caliber. Smaller rounds often fragment, while high-mass rifle calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG retain significant energy and can penetrate advanced armor even after deflection.

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 ricochet?

It depends heavily on the caliber and the armor. Smaller calibers like 9mm and 5.56mm often fragment or lose energy upon ricochet, making them less likely to penetrate. However, high-mass rifle calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG can retain significant energy and mass, potentially penetrating even advanced armor systems after ricocheting.

What happens to a ricocheted bullet?

When a bullet ricochets off a hard surface like steel, it loses velocity and can fragment. Smaller calibers tend to break apart more readily. Larger, high-mass rounds, however, can maintain enough structural integrity and kinetic energy to remain dangerous threats even after deflection.

Which calibers are most dangerous after ricocheting?

High-mass rifle calibers such as .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG are the most dangerous after ricocheting. These rounds retain substantial energy and mass, allowing them to penetrate multiple layers of body armor and pose a significant threat.

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