Would it be dangerous?

Usually if I come across the idea and wonder if its too dangerous. I usually end up scrapping that idea.

The rifle to handgun comparison can be another issue as the velocity and penetration capabilities of each wont be the same. So while the rifle may be enough to penetrate the handgun round may not all depends on what is being used. I would be worried that worse case scenario there would be ricochet.

Howland937 said:

Shooting too close to a vehicle? Where I typically shoot (co-owner family property) the grass is kinda high. Too windy for the tarp I usually stand on to catch empties. Too nice outside to not shoot since I'm not quarantined. Thought about shooting from beside or in front of my old jeep Cherokee and letting it be a backstop. I've shot rifles off the hood, so handguns from 5 feet away shouldn't be an issue?

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Backstop implies you're shooting into the jeep. I assume you meant you intend to bounce the brass off the side of the vehicle? No, that wouldn't be dangerous. If that isn't the question , I can't decipher what the question may be.

Ok so you want it to be a way to make it an easier way to police your brass. Don't see that being a problem. Just an FYI a backstop is where the projectile part hits down range to stop any further travel, which is why I understood you would be shoot at the jeep from 5 feet not the other way around.

Howland937 said:

Yeah...that was confusing after I re-read it. But just something to let my empty brass hit is all I'd be using it for

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That's fine. Enjoy for those of us with no range to currently go to and no area to shoot outside

I do it all the time. And should not pose a problem. Tho my sig 556 will throw some brass and chip windshields.

You’ve given me an idea. I have a Ford F-450 with a flat dump bed. I’m going to park it where it will catch all my brass and not move it until I can dump a full load of it!

I don't see it being dangerous, but the brass could ding the paint. Hot brass landing in the right spot and staying in contact with the body might also damage the paint.

Years ago the windshield of my truck started to crack from the bottom edge. Upon closer inspection I found an empty 22 shell casing that had somehow wedged between the chrome trim and the glass. After a period of driving around the metal case started a small chip which eventually grew into a 12" long crack in the glass.

I called my insurance company to see if they would cover the broken glass. I tried multiple times to explain to the lady over the phone exactly what happened. She simply could not understand or visualize what I was talking about. Finally exasperated, I just said, " a rock hit my windshield". She said "thank you, we'll cover it". Apparently a shell casing stuck between the glass and trim wasn't one of options she had to check on the form.

Kind of off idea but reminds me of a relative of mine that had a classic Corvette. He has property in the country where he can shoot legally. Anyway, one day he saw a coyote and shot over the rear window with a 357 Magnum. The back window instantly bust into a million pieces. He is a pretty good storyteller and him describing the look on his own face is entertaining, followed by his search for a replacement back glass.

Robbins290 said:

I do it all the time. And should not pose a problem. Tho my sig 556 will throw some brass and chip windshields.

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This. I've used the bed of my truck, but I draped a blanket over the rear window.

Howland937 said:

I see where backstop wasn't the best wording...

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Your use of the word “backstop” in conjunction with THE REST OF THE STORY and the context in which it was used was absolutely not a problem. The reading comprehension of others seems to be the issue.

Use an old bedsheet and shut the doors on it. Spread the rest out like a picnic blanket. When you get done, clean up by picking the whole kit and caboodle up because all your brass should be on the sheet. I have done it with an old junk cutlass my uncle parked in my grandpas field. Worked well.

Be care when using the hood of a car as a rest when shooting a rifle. I recall a Sootch video where he gouged the hood because the point of aim through the sights was much higher than the barrel!

jmr40 said:

She said "thank you, we'll cover it". Apparently a shell casing stuck between the glass and trim wasn't one of options she had to check on the form

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She was trying to be nice. That should probably not have been covered. Insurance is for sudden, catastrophic loss.

For example, if a pipe bursts and floods your home, it’s covered. If a pipe develops a small leak and over time it damages your house, it’s not covered

Back in the days of vinyl tops, I saw more than one with the vinyl scored through to the metal.
Most were obviously parallax grazes, but I saw one that it was just shredded, I thought muzzle blast from a Mag-Numb.

She was trying to be nice. That should probably not have been covered. Insurance is for sudden, catastrophic loss.

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That's possible, but I was trying to be honest. And I really don't think she understood what I was trying to explain.

Be care when using the hood of a car as a rest when shooting a rifle. I recall a Sootch video where he gouged the hood because the point of aim through the sights was much higher than the barrel!

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Been there done that too, except it was the roof. But I know for a fact the bullet didn't touch the sheet metal, the muzzle blast from a 45-70 left a crease in the sheet metal.

Howland937 said:

Ohh, nooo...I didn't mean shooting toward it. Meant shooting beside it so my ejected empties will bounce off and fall straight down and be easier find.

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Oh, oh-better get MAACO.....

Watch out for the windshield!