Shooting through brush?

[Heym SR20]

This topic has got me thinking a bit more. Tried a google search of slow motion video of a bullet hitting a twig or branch.

Got several results of slow motion videos of bullets hitting bullets.

This one - kind of on the spectrum of neediness, but skim forward to min 16. Two pistol calibre lead bullets hitting each other. Both would be doing about 1,000ft / sec, so in effect the same as a bullet hitting a stationary object at 2,000 ft / sec. Substitute the stationary lead bullet for a twig or a rib of similar diameter.

Admittedly the bullets are lead, rather than copper jacket or solid copper



Edit,

Just found this video. Shooting a .22 bullet through other stationary bullets and cartridges.



What is clear to me is that bullets are not going to be unaffected by hitting any object before the target. I suspect a tougher centre fire rifle bullet will likely remain in one piece albeit quite deformed, but where it ends up? who knows.

 

[TringSaint]

One might also need to consider the safety of a shot through brush wrt a backstop.
I’ve not tested this out but I can imagine the amount of deflection of a bullet hitting something reasonable sizeable with a glancing blow could cause the path of a bullet to change so dramatically as to render a backstop useless.

Given how so many on here have seen copper bullets turning through 90 whilst going through a deer, the same must also be possible if hitting something solid external to the body.

Personally I don’t shoot through brush unless it’s directly in front of the deer and we are talking inches between the brush and the animal, and even then I will often wait for the deer to move a bit to give me a clearer shot.

 

[Sol]

I shot this buck kid a few weeks ago on the other side of the fence basically squeezed up next too it, I believe the fence itself was just a three strand fence so nothing fancy and the chances of hitting it and deflecting was minimal In my eyes so I took the shot, As I got too the deer I thought that was a very high shot, though again for someone that's not shot loads I figured the bullet didnt have quite enough time to arc.

After taking photos of the shot placement too show too some friends, one pointed out "did the bullet deflect?" I think there correct, the meat too hide damage makes little sense too me personally, some funny business went on for sure.
It looks like the backstraps should be minced from the outside shot but the internal hit is completely perfect there was also no exit, the deer obviously died incredibly quick.

I'd have to imagine it clipped the fence lost a lot of energy and bounced slightly down? the deer had no exit of any kind at 70 yards broadside, with 50gr .222 I'd expect an exit.
I know obviously this is metal but It still makes you wonder how much shooting through a few twigs could drastically effect things too.

If anyone has any input 100% say, curious to learn I cant imagine the shot placement dropping that much, especially considering the shoulder is somewhat extended in the photo in the field?

 

[Heym SR20]

I shot this buck kid a few weeks ago on the other side of the fence basically squeezed up next too it, I believe the fence itself was just a three strand fence so nothing fancy and the chances of hitting it and deflecting was minimal In my eyes so I took the shot, As I got too the deer I thought that was a very high shot, though again for someone that's not shot loads I figured the bullet didnt have quite enough time to arc.

After taking photos of the shot placement too show too some friends, one pointed out "did the bullet deflect?" I think there correct, the meat too hide damage makes little sense too me personally, some funny business went on for sure.
It looks like the backstraps should be minced from the outside shot but the internal hit is completely perfect there was also no exit, the deer obviously died incredibly quick.

I'd have to imagine it clipped the fence lost a lot of energy and bounced slightly down? the deer had no exit of any kind at 70 yards broadside, with 50gr .222 I'd expect an exit.
I know obviously this is metal but It still makes you wonder how much shooting through a few twigs could drastically effect things too.

If anyone has any input 100% say, curious to learn I cant imagine the shot placement dropping that much, especially considering the shoulder is somewhat extended in the photo in the field?
View attachment 412714View attachment 412715

Yup bullet tumbling and fragmenting.

We forget that the bullet does fly in an arc. It doesn’t fly directly. Most set zero for about 1” high at 100. Easy enough to forget this, and in the field most of us will be keeping a 2” group by the time you factor in a bit of wobble, less than secure hold, less than solid position etc. So quite easy to aim between the strands of wire thinking you have plenty of room and the bullet clips the wire.

 

[sh1kar]

Hmm looks like an exit on same side higher up

 

[geoshot]

Isn’t this mainly about what’s left behind, not where the bullet ends up?

I think if you watch the videos, you can see in the slo-mo replays where the bullet goes - but it's not ideal