[net.wanted] Ballistics

shark@ihuxa.UUCP (Pete Inorio) (09/04/84)

Does anyone know if a bullet such as a .22 lr will increase its distance
traveled if it ricochets off of water?? In other words, if someone shoots
a rifle over water, and it hits the water and ricochets, could the range of
the bullet increase?
                                                 thanks
                                            Pete Inorio
                                           ihuxa!shark

jcp@brl-tgr.ARPA (Joe Pistritto <jcp>) (09/10/84)

If the bullet were fired relatively level to the water, probably not, as
the collision with the water would cost energy which will slow the bullet
down.  If the angle were somewhat greater, then perhaps an almost
elastic collision could occur, (rather like a stone skipping) which would
impart upward momentum to the bullet, increasing range.

							-JCP-