Will a BB gun penetrate 12 gauge wire?

I have a minor problem involving a piece of non-live 12 gauge wire (just one strand) that needs to be cut because it's holding things up that need to come down, but it's in a position where a ladder can't reach it, a pole mounted cutter can't reach it, and unfortunately a bucket-truck isn't possible to use either due to the gate to my residence being small.

I could take apart the gate and get a bucket truck in, but that would be very difficult and heavy - not to mention it would take the better part of 2 days probably.

I don't own a BB gun, but the thought crossed my mind that a remote possibility exists that maybe a well aimed BB or a series of them could cut the wire. All that's behind it is a concrete wall so it would be relatively safe.

I just don't know if it's possible... or really even practical. If it sounds practical, I'd be willing to buy a BB gun for this. If not, I'll probably have to take the gate apart.

So the real question is, will a BB penetrate 12 gauge plasticized wire.... is .177 accurate enough for that kind of shot? Also, with the concrete wall behind the target, it should be safe correct? How often do BB's ricochet?

This is in the back yard of my house btw.

When all you have is a hammer....

Bad idea.

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I don't disagree. I just am out of ideas. I tried getting a ladder in there (that's how I figured out that it wouldn't work). I tried the landscaper's pole mounted cutter (that's how I learned it didn't work either)... and I already paid once for a day rental of a bucket-truck only to find that it was a total waste. This is just a thought out of left field because I'm out of ideas.

The gate is worth at least a couple thousand bucks... I'm scared to take it apart out of fear I might break it.

I can call the painter though and see if he has any ideas. He's the expert when it comes to getting to hard to reach places.

Obviously this was more of my last idea than my first idea so your "when everything looks like a hammer" analogy doesn't quite fit.

I don't disagree that it's a bad idea. I never thought it was a good idea, otherwise I wouldn't have been hesitant; and end up asking about it here.

Of course, there is the possibility that I can just say to heck with it and let it be somebody else's problem.

An extension type branch pruner wont work?

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tried it. Unfortunately no.

How high is the wire exactly?

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I couldn't say exactly... the 30' ladder looked about the right height.... but it had problems too as mentioned.

Take the friggin' gate apart or rent a bigger ladder.

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it's not that the ladder is too short. It's that you can't get it close enough to the wire because of the landscaping getting in the way.

Taking the gate apart is not an easy solution. We're talking about a custom manufactured electric gate..... that cost thousands of dollars and costs hundreds of dollars just to do simple maintenance on. This isn't just some home depot wire-fence.

and even if it could you would be shooting into the air.

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no... it would be shooting at a concrete wall and possibly the underside of the edge of the roof... but your point is still valid. Really, the biggest danger is a BB ricocheting and hitting me. Nonetheless I'm willing to give up the idea since I was pretty sure from the start that it was a bad one.

I guess I'll just leave it be and if it becomes more of a problem, call somebody out and let it be their problem. It's the only real solution unless the painter has an idea.... considering it was his 30' ladder that I borrowed, I doubt he will.

No more replies necessary. It was admittedly a bad idea.

Unless the landscaping is brick/concrete/big trees

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bingo... plus where I live the seasons don't affect the plants much if at all.

hmmm.... that's a good idea actually. How long do they make them? It would have to be about 50'-60' long because that wire is somewhere from 25'-30' up from the looks of it.

Also, how expensive are they and where do they sell them?

the arrow idea while safer.... isn't much of an option. The last time I dealt with an arrow, I was 10 years old.... and I was a horrible shot with them.

As for projectiles flying throughout the neighborhood... it's highly unlikely given the situation. The BB at worst would ricochet and hit me.... but if it went flying, it would end up in a really big lake. Regardless though, I've already given up the thought/idea of using a BB gun for this in my previous post. I'm most likely going to just hire somebody to take care of this since it's proven to be a PITA... I like that wire saw though.

Doesn't matter anymore guys. I appreciate the help, but I decided I'm just going to call the painter and let him figure something out. It's just easier and it's not like I can't say that at least I tried.

.cheese., why does this remind me of an episode of Fawlty Towers?

Que?

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I haven't a clue. I even had to google "Fawlty Towers" because I had no idea what it was other than surmising it was some sort of tv show.

Is there some episode where there is a wire which must be cut but can't be reached?