Mythbusters' episode on shooting through water

[BillyVance 35]

Anybody see it? I was amazed... The myth was whether you were safe from bullets fired into water if you were so and so feet deep.

They test fired several rifles. Among the ones I remember was the M1 20.30 (I think.... I used to have one). They started with the weakest gun, which fired at 1000 fps, and graduated up in strength. If I recall correctly, nothing penetrated more than 5 feet. Most of the bullets, even the full metal jacket slugs, splintered into little pieces upon entering the water. I don't think any of them maintained their heading, always veering off target. They had their ballistics gel block set up at varying depths. Only when it was 2 feet under, did a bullet from a powerful gun seriously penetrate it.

So, if someone's shooting at you and there is a lake nearby, jump in and hold your breath!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[Sutton 0]

I was it, and was equally amazed. The only thing that lasted past 3 feet was the shotgun

-Sutton

[BillyVance 35]

Quote

I was it, and was equally amazed. The only thing that lasted past 3 feet was the shotgun

Really? Damn.... who'da thunk it?

It's true what they say about water. It may be fluid, but anything hits it hard enough, it'll be destroyed.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[tbrown 26]

I remember reading a book about Navy frogmen in World War II that said they used to make a game out of catching Japanese rifle bullets underwater with their hands.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[dorbie 0]

There is specialized ammo for this.

See attachment.

[sagan 0]

Quick reminder.. was the gun also submerged on that episode or was it fired from air into water?

-Patrick

[mr2mk1g 10]

Air into water. They've done another episode (I think it was another episode) where they fire guns underwater, both with and without air in the action/barrel. All worked just fine IIRC and they got the same penetration results.

[BillyVance 35]

Also, every time they fired a bullet into the water, whatever kind it was, it really kicked up a lot more water than I thought it would. I mean, not as much as some kid doing the cannonball splash, but a significant amount.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[b1jercat 0]

I love that show, that was a good one. It just goes to show you why water is such a great test medium, you can't compress it.

blues

jerry

[DJL 235]

Here's some more specialized ammo for submerged targets. Bye Bye Frogman

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

I love that show, that was a good one. It just goes to show you why water is such a great test medium, you can't compress it.

good for shielding too - no cracks or joints, easy to shape too - just pour into a shell of any shape

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[willard 0]

A bullet proof vest of that stuff would be kinda heavy though.

[BillyVance 35]

Quote

Quote

I love that show, that was a good one. It just goes to show you why water is such a great test medium, you can't compress it.

good for shielding too - no cracks or joints, easy to shape too - just pour into a shell of any shape

I remember a candid Bruce Lee interview talking about his style of fighting, in where he mentions he uses a very fluid way, always adapting to the situation, like water. "Be like water, my friend."

Additionally, water-filled balloons, when dropped from high enough, can do serious damage too!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[narcimund 0]

Quote

Additionally, water-filled balloons, when dropped from high enough, can do serious damage too!

You know what the problem with water balloons is?

You never have one when you need it.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[pirana 0]

A great series, and that was a fun episode.

IIRC, the most powerful guns (launching bullets at the highest speed) were not the deepest penetrators. The really fast ones disintegrated at a more shallow depth than the slower ones.

So it is form, not speed, that counts?

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

They test fired several rifles. Among the ones I remember was the M1 20.30 (I think.... I used to have one).

That caliber would be .30-06, pronounced "thirty ought-six".

[DZJ 0]

Quote

So, if someone's shooting at you and there is a lake nearby, jump in and hold your breath!

Heh, you never know when that info might come in handy!

[GQ_jumper 4]

Here's some more specialized ammo for submerged targets. Bye Bye Frogman

Quote

Actually you would be surprised at how much effect you lose by detonating a grenade under water. I did some tests a few years ago, tossed a whole case of grenades into a river, the first few probably had about a 1-2 second delay after hitting the water and you barely saw anything on the surface. There were a few that we cooked off for a few seconds before we tossed em in, and one or two where the person throwing had a long throw so they detonated almost immedeatly after impact and never once did we see more than a very small bubble on the surface. there was a lot of overpressure, we could feel it in the ground, but in terms of shrapnel the water pretty much stopped it. Either way, it's always fun to play with things that go boom

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Quote

[b1jercat 0]

Ever heard the term dupont spinners, don't give away any hillbilly secrets online.

blues

jerry

[BillyVance 35]

Quote

Quote

They test fired several rifles. Among the ones I remember was the M1 20.30 (I think.... I used to have one).

That caliber would be .30-06, pronounced "thirty ought-six".

Thank you... it has been a while. yep 30.06... It was actually a replica of the M1 used in WWII. Damn thing was LOUD!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[GQ_jumper 4]

don't give away any hillbilly secrets online

Quote

Well we only got one fish to come to the surface

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Quote

[WGore 0]

Quote

don't give away any hillbilly secrets online

Quote

Well we only got one fish to come to the surface

The old man said that they just taped 2- 1/4 lb blocks of TNT to the grenades at Guadal Canal, brought up lots of fish. Beat K rations.

GUNFIRE, The sound of Freedom!

• Quote

[GQ_jumper 4]

The old man said that they just taped 2- 1/4 lb blocks of TNT to the grenades at Guadal Canal, brought up lots of fish. Beat K rations.

Quote

That's quite a bit more kick than just a frag

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Quote

[DJL 235]

Yeah, but frogmen tend to float to the surface when they're bleeding from their ears and lungs. Makes for easy pickings. So, it's not the shrapnel you're going for. Here's a nice little toy: Concussion Grenade

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher