What is flying back at me?

[wpjson]

My buddy and I were out shooting our revolvers last weekend, when he shot I felt something strike my arm. He said it was probably just the cap flying back. He is experienced so I believe him. I have noticed stuff flying past me a couple of other times. Is it just the caps?

 

[bpd303]

Probably cap fragments. That is why it's so important to wear a good pair of shooting glasses.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Might be the bullets or bullet fragments.
What are you shooting at?
Lead splatter and riccochettes can be very common when shooting certain types of targets.

 

[Ken Cormier]

Soft lead metal targets short range. :idunno:

 

[bpd303]

Could also be the cylinders are not indexing properly and shaving lead.

 

[wpjson]

this happened with 2 different guns. Not a real big deal, just concerns me. We were shooting at those orange hard rubber square and ball shaped targets that jump when you hit them. About 20 yards. I did see one ball bounce off the ball and land a yard or so away, spent.

 

[Zonie]

Since you said soft lead and metal targets it's probably some of the lead flying back at you.

Sometimes the lead ball, when striking a metal plate won't mushroom and fly out to the sides.
It will form into a molten cup shape with the ball liquefying as it moves into the plate and forming the cup shaped blob with the lead moving back towards the shooter.

If your far enough away the returning lead will fall to the ground but if you close it might reach you.

This can be eliminated by having the metal plate at an angle so the splash doesn't come back in your direction.

While I'm writing, when I first saw the title of your topic I thought, "He's shooting at a thick wooden board and its the roundball that's flying back at him."

With a low power charge and a thick board, that's exactly what can happen.
The ball hits the board, deflecting it without actually penetrating it.
The board, not enjoying being clobbered by a flying ball returns the favor by using its deflected energy to throw the ball back where it came from, often nearly as fast as the ball was going when it hit the board. :shocked2:

More than a few shooters have been seriously hurt by this sort of thing.

 

[wpjson]

That wasn't me shooting at led or metal targets. But your explaination on the wooden targets make sense. It seems to occur when I am shooting at those hard rubber orange targets at close range. Thanks, I can correct that.

 

[crockett]

Wear eye protection. Could be either fragments of a cap or lead. If the chamber doesn't line up perfectly with the bore the ball shaves a bit of lead when going from chamber into the bore. When you are cleaning the revolver, if you look at the back face of the barrel, you'll see a lead plating or build up if this is occurring. It doesn't pose much of a problem unless a small fragment hits your eyes. Always wear eye protection.
One last thing, with a modern range folks are standing side by side shooting. Even with a modern semi-auto you can get hit by spent shells and they are pretty hot if they lodge under your shirt collar. Space yourself apart if conditions permit.
About a ball actually bouncing back at you. I've heard that might happen if it strikes a very hard surface but I'm not sure of the circumstances. Just don't shoot at rocks, water, etc. where a ricochet could occur.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Maybe the targets don't like being shot at and are shooting back? :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

this happened with 2 different guns. Not a real big deal, just concerns me. We were shooting at those orange hard rubber square and ball shaped targets that jump when you hit them. About 20 yards. I did see one ball bounce off the ball and land a yard or so away, spent.

Where is it coming from? e.g. front, side, etc.
Could be gas and lube escaping from the cylinder gap at the breech end of the barrel. Happens with all revolvers, old and modern.

 

[wpjson]

My range is at my cabin and there are no other shooters. I always wear safty glasses and will check to see if there is a lead build up on the barrel. Thanks all

 

[Patocazador]

Could also be the cylinders are not indexing properly and shaving lead.

This gets my vote. Cheap Italian guns not indexed properly can do it easily.

 

[M. De Land]

I think the lead is bouncing and coming back at you from what you say.

 

[garra]

if the ball is not penetrating the rubber, there is a good chance it is bouncing back. I would try placing the target at a slight angle, so if it does bounce it won't be coming back toward you.

 

[hawkeye2]

It is quite possible that the ball is coming back past you. If the ball can't pass through the hard rubber target it will come back. This is a problem on ranges where tires are stacked and filled with sand to provide a backstop and protection to the sides. They are dangerous for round balls at moderate velocities and for cartridges like the .32 S&W and .38 S&W as well as any low velocity loading using a round nose bullet. It is also possible the ball is ricocheting off hard ground or rocks. I have seen round balls bounce back from wood posts and even plywood. If the ball can't pass through it has to go somewhere to spend it's energy. I believe you have the answer when you said you saw a ball bounce off the target.

 

[M. De Land]

I've heard the same thing often happens with ,22 RF's when folks shoot at knots on tree trunks or limbs. They usually make a whizzing noise when they come back by your noggin.

 

[wpjson]

Thanks to everyone.

 

[coloradoclyde]

If you make a solid barracade like a sheet of plywood and shoot with just the end of the muzzle sticking through a small hole in the center, you will be able to tell if the splatter is coming from the target or the gun.

 

[wpjson]

thanks Clyde