What Happens When You Shoot a 50cal Primer???

Published on April 23, 2022
Duration: 9:47

This video explores the effects of igniting a .50 BMG primer using various projectile-based methods, moving beyond a simple firing pin strike. The experiment demonstrates that while a direct primer strike can initiate the powder charge, the outcome is highly dependent on the projectile's size, power, and ability to seal the primer pocket. The presenter, acting as an amateur experimenter, highlights the unpredictable nature of such tests and the potential for catastrophic case failure.

Quick Summary

Experimentally igniting a .50 BMG primer with various projectiles like a BB gun, pellet rifle, or .22 Long Rifle cartridge yields unpredictable results. While a BB gun and .22LR successfully initiated ignition and ejected the bullet, a .17 caliber pellet failed by blowing through the primer, highlighting the importance of projectile size and sealing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Recap
  2. 00:19Previous Pellet Gun Test Failure
  3. 00:51New Experiment: Shooting 50 BMG Primer
  4. 01:42Test 1: BB Gun Setup
  5. 02:28BB Gun Test Results
  6. 02:46BB Gun Test Slow-Motion Analysis
  7. 04:06BB Gun Test Casing & Bullet Impact
  8. 04:59Bullet Recovery from Watermelon
  9. 05:37Test 2: 22 Caliber Pellet Rifle Setup
  10. 06:2522 Caliber Pellet Rifle Test Results
  11. 06:5222 Caliber Pellet Rifle Casing Ejection
  12. 07:24Test 3: 22 Long Rifle Setup
  13. 07:5622 Long Rifle Test Results
  14. 08:1322 Long Rifle Instantaneous Ignition
  15. 08:2622 Long Rifle Casing Ejection Analysis
  16. 09:13Future Test Considerations & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when you shoot a .50 BMG primer with a BB gun?

When a .50 BMG primer is struck by a BB from a BB gun, the primer ignites. In the experiment, the BB lodged in the primer, the .50 BMG casing split, and the bullet was ejected, successfully penetrating a watermelon.

Can a .22 Long Rifle cartridge ignite a .50 BMG primer?

Yes, a .22 Long Rifle cartridge can ignite a .50 BMG primer. In testing, this resulted in a near-instantaneous ignition of the .50 BMG powder charge, causing the casing to split and eject sideways.

Why did a .17 caliber pellet fail to ignite a .50 BMG cartridge?

A .17 caliber pellet failed to properly ignite the .50 BMG cartridge because it was too small and too powerful. The pellet blew through the primer, creating a hole and allowing the powder charge to escape without ejecting the bullet.

What are the risks of experimenting with .50 BMG primers?

Experimenting with .50 BMG primers carries significant risks, including unpredictable cartridge failures (grenading), casing fragmentation, and potential injury from flying debris. Securing the casing and maintaining safe distances are crucial.

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