[TheForge] OT - Yak Gun question

[Andrew Vida]

Lynn Emrich wrote:
> I'm just hoping that someone will have the knowledge
> to satisfy my curiosity. 
> There were a couple of incidents reported in the local
> news about people being hit by bullets being fired
> into the air. It doesn't seem logical to me that a
> falling piece of lead would gain enough speed to do
> anyone any real harm. 
> My guess would be something about like throwing the
> spent bullets at them. Am I way off on the velocity
> that a bullet world gain?
> Thanks for allowing me an OT question,
> Lynn

	Calculating the velocity is simple enough, given the muzzle velocity of 
the bullet to arrive at the approximate altitude the mass would reach, 
ignotinr wind resistance and all that real-world stuff.  Even if the 
slug goes only 2000 feet up, I would imagine that at this elevation, it 
may reach terminal velocity on the way back.  I don't know what that 
value is, but I'm sure it is quite a bit more than that of a human body 
freefalling, which we may call 100 mph, give or take.  Lead is denser 
than flesh, the shape is aerodynamic in many cases, and therefore the 
terminal velocity will be higher.  Even if it is only twice, that's 293 
feet per second... as fast as a typical air rifle.  Imagine having a 168 
grain rifle slug knock into you at that speed.  I'm sure you would not 
be happy about it.  It probably would not be fatal, but I'm sure it 
would smart like hell, and might break something.