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I shot myself today...

n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
I have absolutely no idea how this could have possibly happened...it seems impossible.

I was shooting my .357 SIG about an hour ago and I had stapled a target to an old fence post with a large sumac tree directly behind it. I was 8-10 yards from the target. There's about a 6" hole in the fence post from being shot over and over. This hole is directly behind the bull on my targets. I was shooting my second magazine today and the eighth round somehow went into the tree and came straight back out and hit me in the hand about 2-3" below the muzzle of the pistol. The bullet was slightly deformed and the jacket was stripped from entering the tree...so I know it went into the tree. I could possibly understand some kind of wierd riccochette, but how in the world could a bullet go into a tree and come straight back at the muzzle of the gun shooting it?!?!?! It hit me in the finger and dropped straight down by my foot. Cassidy watched the whole thing happen. She was about 10" behind me. Do you think the bullet could have possibly hit another bullet in the tree and bounced directly back at me???

I'm at a complete loss as to how to explain this...[^]
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Comments

  • zipperzapzipperzap Member Posts: 25,057
    edited November -1
    I've heard of that kind of thing happening before -
    usually off an angularly shaped rock.

    Glad you're OK.[8D]

    Once I was photographing two fat chicks and one
    shot her nose off right after I clicked the
    picture - but it wasn't a ricochet, or anything
    like that![:0]

    492cb75c.jpg
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  • kyplumberkyplumber Member Posts: 11,111
    edited November -1
    [:0]

    I take it you werent injured..
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    Bouncing off another bullet seems the most likely, but still I would think this ..unlikely. Very strange indeed.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by spryor
    Bouncing off another bullet seems the most likely, but still I would think this ..unlikely. Very strange indeed.


    Yeah...it's almost like the tree was shooting back at me[:0][B)]

    I was not hurt at all...it just stung my finger a little bit.
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  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...[:0] glad your ok! ...maybe a "knot" or irregularity that was really hard in the tree, who knows?...[?]







    ani-texas-flag.gif
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    Could it have been a rubber tree?[:0]
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  • ghotie_thumperghotie_thumper Member Posts: 1,561 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did you check the grassy knoll for a second shooter?
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  • IAMACLONE_2IAMACLONE_2 Member Posts: 4,725
    edited November -1
    DANG IT!
    Glad your ok, thats the main thing.
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  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    that's why everyone in the area should where glasses

    could have been a bullet in the tree or an old nail
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  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932 ✭
    edited November -1
    Murphys Law in action. I think sometimes Murphy follows people around just to keep us honest and on our toes. Glad your OK!
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Trees do not like to be shot. My 2 cents [8D]
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  • gbeggrowgbeggrow Member Posts: 5,499 ✭
    edited November -1
    Glad to hear you're okay. Stuff like that will make you nuts though trying to figure out what the hell happened. Mark it up as a FREAK accident and continue to be careful. Happy safe shooting[;)]
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  • texaswildmantexaswildman Member Posts: 2,215 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    maybe it was a bullet from a previous shot. how do you know it was the exact same bullet you fired at that time?
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Was the round that hit you hot?

    Range I used to work at had splash back all the time. Mostly it was old rounds that were piling up in the trapp coming back.
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  • gunzforevergunzforever Member Posts: 619 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    when you send something flying through the air a those speeds, just about anything can happen.

    Glad you weren't hurt, that could of very eaisly hit you in the eye[B)]
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    Was the round that hit you hot?

    Range I used to work at had splash back all the time. Mostly it was old rounds that were piling up in the trapp coming back.




    Yes...it was still warm when I found it in the grass.
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  • dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    Actually, because you are shooting at a tree, the tree is not dry. The wood in the tree has some bounce to it.

    #1 - you are shooting a higher powered handgun at close range.

    #2 - you did not take care in what your backstop is.

    Sorry bud.......
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Glad you're okay.

    Could've been the trigger finger of god telling you not to shoot his trees.
    [;)]
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Actually, because you are shooting at a tree, the tree is not dry. The wood in the tree has some bounce to it.

    #1 - you are shooting a higher powered handgun at close range.

    #2 - you did not take care in what your backstop is.
    Sorry bud.......


    Actually, I did take into account what the backstop was. Sumac trees are a very soft wood. There is no logical explanation as to how this bullet could have gone into this tree and come straight back at the muzzle of the gun that fired it.

    I'm not sure I understand your first point.?.?
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  • HAIRYHAIRY Member Posts: 23,606
    edited November -1
    Glad you are okay.
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  • FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ghotie_thumper
    Did you check the grassy knoll for a second shooter?


    ... an illegally here [}:)]!
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Since everybody is glad you're OK, I guess I am too. [:)] I can't splain it neither. [?]
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    you shot a hard surface with a gun.
    its like shooting the pavement straight down. backstops are suppose to absorb or deflect the bullet. trees are hard. bang your head on one to confirm my theory.
    its that simple. duhh.[:o)]
    glad to hear youre ok.
    fyi...ive had 45's come back and hit my feet from 15 yds the same way yours hit you....but off of steel poppers before. all the energy was gone, but it gets your attention.
    may i suggest some more distance??[;)]
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
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  • sig232sig232 Member Posts: 8,018
    edited November -1
    In Oregon we would assume the tree was "spiked" by greenies to distroy chain saws. Got to watch out for that stuff.

    I assume you are OK, did not break the skin??

    Might talk to the ACLU, there has got to be someone to sue. Former property owner, title policy, your property insurance, gov, etc.
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  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    MAYBE u missed that "HOLE" in the 'ole dry cedar fence-post...?[;)]
    That baby is prob petrafied where it ain't been peppered...Get you a few hay-bales to hang ya targets on... Just an idea...
    Jeff
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
    MAYBE u missed that "HOLE" in the 'ole dry cedar fence-post...?[;)]
    That baby is prob petrafied where it ain't been peppered...Get you a few hay-bales to hang ya targets on... Just an idea...
    Jeff


    The wife had the same idea...
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  • rogue_robrogue_rob Member Posts: 7,033 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    and you're a moderator????


    man, there's no screening process for that job??
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    Another thought: I've seen trees around here, even those in the middle of nowhere that have horse shoes grown into them, underneath the bark, and rocks that were obviosly stuck in old knot holes years ago.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
    and you're a moderator????


    man, there's no screening process for that job??


    [:D][:D][:D]
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  • wanted manwanted man Member Posts: 3,276
    edited November -1
    Check your Zapruder, look carefully for the 2nd shooter, it's a conspiracy, Rev Jim even told me so!*LOL*
    Glad you and Cassidy weren't hurt![:)]
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  • GUNFUNCOGUNFUNCO Member Posts: 2,919 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't know how big the diameter of your tree was, but I've heard of a bullet hitting a tree and circling around to follow the grain. probably due to center wood being harder/denser. Same thing happens when people are hit-often hits bone and then runs up or down the bone to exit somewhere else. (Example-People hit straight on near the wrist and exits near elbow. People shot square in forehead and bullet exits near the back of the neck)
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  • mondmond Member Posts: 6,458
    edited November -1
    lucky for you it whacked ya in the mitt!!(hand)
    if you had the pistol at arms lenght! phew a inch either way, doesnt bare thinking about, careful with the eye sight , eh!

    regards..
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  • bartobarto Member Posts: 4,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My guess is you hit a knot.
    I've had nails from my air nailer hit a knot & do a perfect u-turn & end up sticking straight up.
    [^]barto[^]
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  • D.S.COLED.S.COLE Member Posts: 611 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had the same thing happen to me.
    I fired a 22 at an old log backstop I had used many times and the bullet bounced straight back and hit me in the forehead.
    It only had enough velocity to feel like a slight thump from a forefinger but it was scary.
    All I can figure is that if it hits a hardwood surface at the right angle and all other aspects of it happen to be exactly right it can bounce straight back.
    when shooting at something hard at close range be careful.
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  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,051 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd guess you hit another bullet and that's the one hit you back and not the one you just shot out. Either that or it's a "Magic" bullet[:D].
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  • bgjohnbgjohn Member Posts: 2,275 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rubber tree? Hahahaha! That's pretty good.[^]
    JM
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  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well ...strange things do happen ??? another fubarb that looks bad on all us gun people , glad you were not seriouly injured ....I kind of lean towards the grassy knoll second shooter .......................
    Thanks !!!
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn
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  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    First, let me say that I am glad to hear that you weren't seriously injured.

    Second, YOU WEREN'T SHOOTING AT A PROPPER BACKSTOP! Think about it and correct the situation! (think Earthen mound or Bullet Trap)
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Im glad your ok Eric, when it comes to shooting firearms there's no rules as to what can happen when the bullet strikes a solid object. Im just glad you are ok.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by barto
    My guess is you hit a knot.
    I've had nails from my air nailer hit a knot & do a perfect u-turn & end up sticking straight up.
    [^]barto[^]


    I had not thought about that until you mentioned it, but I've had the exact same thing happen many times with a nail gun. You might be on to something here.

    BTW...I hate it when that happens b/c I do not like to leave any nails that miss their intended target or split out. I always go back and drive them out and renail the area. It's a pain in the butt to get those nails out.
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