Speed of bullet

[Porky6331]

A bad question for this thread but, We have a two story building and had a rain leak. The roof is flat with asphalt. We found a bullet hole in the roof that went all the way through the roof. Could any bullet have the force if it was shot in the air to do this.

 

[JesseL]

A bullet fired straight up will usually fall base first at a relatively low velocity.

I think I remember that in Hatcher's experiments on the subject a falling bullet had enough force to significantly dent a pine board.

Bullets fired at angle other than straight up will retain more energy from the horizontal component of their trajectory and can do more damage.

Off hand I would say that unless your bullet hole is sharply angled, it probably came from inside the building or someone standing on the roof firing downwards.

 

[Mal H]

Could any bullet have the force if it was shot in the air to do this.

I don't think so. Can you tell from the characteristics of the hole on both sides if it appeared to to be made from an object entering the building or exitiing it?

How do you know the hole was made by a bullet?

 

[Dorryn]

I was working on a home once, installing power to an attic bathroom. In order to run the power line, I needed to put a hole in the "wall" above the bathroom mirror in order to install a light fixture. I used a 1-foot long drill bit of some sort (being unfamiliar with such tools, i do not recall what sort of drill bit it was).

I was drilling away when i suddenly thought to myself, this is a mighty thick wall. I pulled the drill bit out, and looked through only to see the sky above through a half-inch thick hole. Oops.

 

[Sniper X]

I would have to say that would depend on the bullet weight, caliber, and the softness of the roof based on condition of the actual roof, it's construction, and weather conditions.

 

[Porky6331]

We know it was a bullet because someone found the bullet laying in the floor and didn't show it to me before they threw it away. I brought a 158gr
flat point from home and they said it looked like it but was "smashed" The roof it to high from me to get up there and see if it was and entrance or exit point. Because I carry they asked me if I was fireing in the warehouse.