Candidates for the Darwin Award... Why didn't they try a dry run with the same gun and the same encyclopedia volume? I recall determining experimentally that a .22 cal long rifle round...

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

Why didn't they try a dry run with the same gun and the same encyclopedia volume? I recall determining experimentally that a .22 cal long rifle round would penetrate four inches of yellow pine 2x4.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/29/he-thought-a-book-would-stop-a-bullet-and-make-him-a-youtube-star-now-hes-dead/?utm_term=.6a3517f206bb&wpisrc=nl_most-draw5&wpmm=1

What a waste!

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

GeorgeH wrote:

Why didn't they try a dry run with the same gun and the same encyclopedia volume? I recall determining experimentally that a .22 cal long rifle round would penetrate four inches of yellow pine 2x4.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/29/he-thought-a-book-would-stop-a-bullet-and-make-him-a-youtube-star-now-hes-dead/?utm_term=.6a3517f206bb&wpisrc=nl_most-draw5&wpmm=1

What a waste!

Waste of what? The book? Desert Eagle ammo? I read the whole story. It's sad, but I'm not sure it was a waste. Picked the wrong gun. Should have used a .45 and a phone book. He would have survived that. I know a .45 will only make it halfway through a 1973 Sacramento yellow pages. Your .22lr was a bit more powerful than what I've experienced.

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

thom w wrote:

Should have used a .45 and a phone book. He would have survived that. I know a .45 will only make it halfway through a 1973 Sacramento yellow pages.

That is entirely dependent on a number of factors, wet or dry book, distance, barrel length, and most importantly, the ammo used. I can guarantee that a 230gn Speer Gold Dot shot from a 5" barrel from 15' will definitely clear a 6" thick book.

Leica User Loc: Western North Carolina

WNYShooter wrote:

That is entirely dependent on a number of factors, wet or dry book, distance, barrel length, and most importantly, the ammo used. I can guarantee that a 230gn Speer Gold Dot shot from a 5" barrel from 15' will definitely clear a 6" thick book.

Don't forget Shooter you are addressing people that believe a black AR15 is "scary" looking!

The story said they wanted to name the as yet unborn child "Pedro" after his now dead dad. Better idea: name the kid "Desert Eagle". Groan.

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

WNYShooter wrote:

That is entirely dependent on a number of factors, wet or dry book, distance, barrel length, and most importantly, the ammo used. I can guarantee that a 230gn Speer Gold Dot shot from a 5" barrel from 15' will definitely clear a 6" thick book.

Military hardball, dry phone book.

Find what you say about the Speer interesting. Probably depends somewhat on the book. I'm unfamiliar with the Speer but what I read wouldn't lead me to expect that kind of penetration. My experimenting with a .357 didn't have that kind of penetration, although it did easily go through the phone book. Went through a book and a half actually.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Terminal " DUMB ASS " syndrome, proves that people shouldn't mess with things they know nothing about.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

Certainly a Darwin Candidate, except the shooter was pregnant with his child. So he doesn't qualify. Too bad he would have been a sure top ten.