How to Prevent Ricochets?

B

Bob Johnson

Inactive
With the other thread regarding ricochets, I figured it would be a good time to ask a few questions I've been wondering about for some time.

One of the areas where I shoot (Jacumba, CA), is a clear area with a hill backstop, with the majority of the hill at about a 20% incline. The ground is covered with 2-3in. small rocks, although there are no visible rock faces.

My question is how to prevent ricochets in this sort of area, any preventive measures, etc.

I've tried placing the targets further out, and at times it seems like the paper target placement is fine. However, I hear too many audible ricochets to be comfortable...am I simply being too cautious?

I've shooting anything from .22 to .223, at ranges from 25 yrds to 100 yrds. Any advice?
 
Bob, I hate to sound negative, but unless you have a large impact area with restricted access (as the military does), I would have to advise you to find another place to shoot. If it is your land, or you can get permission, you might be able to bulldoze a flat 90 degree backstop.

The problem with ricochets is that they might have almost all the energy exhausted and be pretty harmless, or they may still have almost full power. And there is no way to tell.

I was involved as a consultant in a case where a 7mm Remington Magnum ricocheted off a slope of about 20 degrees at a distance of almost 600 yards and went on to kill a young man at about 400 yards beyond that. So ricochets are something to take seriously.

Jim
 
I realize that in Kalifornia, digging a hole in the ground might kill a worm or something, but: Why not take a pick and shovel and dig into the slope until you have a vertical backstop?

Unless you or the folks with you are lousy shots, two feet oughta do it...

And each trip, enlarge the backstop...

:), Art
 
I certainly agree with my esteemed colleagues. A 20% slope is much too shallow to be a good backstop, rocks or no rocks. It might take a lot of sweat, but if you can improve the backstop I sure would.
 
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