Will a snowman stop a JHP?

[Snowdog]

Strictly out of curiosity, will a ball of snow of approximately 16" in diameter expand and stop a JHP from a 9mm, say a 115gr Silvertip JHP?

I know it depends on the bullet weight, construction and velocity, but I've long been curious if a large snowball poses a challenge for an expanding bullet to completely penetrate.

I guess I'll probably end up having to shoot a snowman myself, but if someone already has, care to share the results?

 

[Nick5182]

I highly doubt it. A 16" block of ice, probably, but not snow. Snow is not dense or hard enough to stop the bullet, and the bullet will be hot coming out of the barrel and will most definitely also melt the hole it travels through.

 

[shadowalker]

I also seriously doubt it.

I agree ice might because it is a hard physical barrier. shooting through snow is more like shooting through a pillow, the space is mostly air.

 

[MikePGS]

Only one way to find out.

 

[Brian Williams]

One of the best ways to get a unexpanded bullet is to shoot along the length of a snow bank. it will not expand. it will also take a bit to find it.

 

[StarDust1]

Strictly out of curiosity, will a ball of snow of approximately 16" in diameter expand and stop a JHP from a 9mm, say a 115gr Silvertip JHP?

I know it depends on the bullet weight, construction and velocity, but I've long been curious if a large snowball poses a challenge for an expanding bullet to completely penetrate.

I guess I'll probably end up having to shoot a snowman myself, but if someone already has, care to share the results?

"Ahh" your first major snowstorm is it? Not unless you pack it with concrete before you cover it with snow...

 

[savit260]

You could trhow a sharp stick at 16" diameter of snow ball from 10 feet away and go all the way through.

 

[JellyJar]

Not!!

Not if he can duck fast enough!

 

[PT1911]

neither a medium to large block of ice nor a medium sized ball of snow will stop a bullet... the ice will shatter, the snow is not dense enough to do much of anything... disregarding the possibility of a large snow bank.

 

[kanook]

DRAW

 

[halfded]

No matter the outcome I think video, or at least pictures, are in order.

 

[Avizpls]

yeah, I tried this before. It did stop it. Actually, within the first few inches. Snow is amazing!

So after that I started packing my jacket full of snow before I put it on! Now its like a frostbitten bullet-proof jacket.


Im curious of your results, too. Post pictures or video!! haha (and dont take my word for the bullet stopping abilities of snow, lest ye be testing your own capability to stop a bullet.)

 

[devildog32713]

Only one way to find out.

I like this sort of thinking,

 

[Just One Shot]

No, it will not.

 

[essayons21]

One of the best ways to get a unexpanded bullet is to shoot along the length of a snow bank. it will not expand. it will also take a bit to find it.

I've always found a bullet puller easier, plus it has the advantage of working year round

 

[Snowdog]

I know for a fact that snow isn't much of an obstacle for non expanding bullets such as lead round nose and FMJs, but I'm uncertain about JHPs.
My mind keeps going to the possibility that the snow could rapidly pack into the hollow cavity of the JHP and, at such velocities, begin the expansion process. If so, I can see the increased surface area exponentially slowing the bullets procession through the snowman.

However, I am more inclined to think a JHP would not expand in such a medium. I suppose a snowman will have to be sacrificed in the name of science.

 

[rswartsell]

It is exactly because of this over-penetration issue that I do not risk my life by using 9mm to confront the violent snowman threat. I recommend mil-surp flamethrowers,...DRT.

 

[Joe Demko]

There's more than one kind of snow. Are we talking the powdery kind of snow that skiers like? Are we talking about heavy, wet snow (like we got Friday night) that has also had the opportunity to freeze/firm up over the last couple days? How tightly packed are the snowballs that form the snowman?
Lots of factors here. Snow is an inconsistent medium for bullet testing. OTOH, "Frosty the Ballistic Gelatin Man" doesn't sound nearly as cute.

 

[cjl8651]

Pictures and videos would be nice, when you carry out this experiment.

 

[PikeStaff]

Well...

Several years ago, while working on a project just to the south of Trenton, I was compelled to put a halt to 2 crazed snowmen bent on causing major disruption. A double-barreled 12 gauge from 10 feet out - both barrels at once, loaded with one ounce of 7-1/2 shot - cut them cleanly in half. The more burly snowman of the two kept about 2 inches each side of his midsection after impact, but fell within seconds afterward.

Doubtful that even the Arnold Schwarzenegger of Snowmen could stop the 9mm.....so direct testing is in order.

 

[WardenWolf]

I've seen people "execute" snowmen with paintballs (very entertaining to watch, by the way). I don't think they'll stop a real bullet.

 

[Quoheleth]

Only one way to find out.

Hey, ya'll: watch this!

The single most dangerous phrase ever spoken by man.

Q

 

[rswartsell]

Pike, glad you were not injured and my hat's off to your courage. I shiver when I think of what the more burly of the crystal psychopaths could have done in that last few seconds.

Flammenwurfer when you just gotta be sure.

 

[rondog]

I watched a friend fire a .44 magnum straight down into a frozen lake once. Made a helluva divot, but the bullet bounced right back out onto the surface. Ice was about 5-6" thick I'd guess.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Are we talking the powdery kind of snow that skiers like?

Well, ya can't make a snowman from that kind.