Watching the news this morning and reading the USA today webpage, I was shocked by what I read. The US park service has laid the blame for recent wildfires in Utah at the feet of "target shooters". Not only that but the park service has stated that TWENTY wildfires have been started by target shooters this spring. Come on!! Supposedly the park service says that bullets striking rocks causes sparks that result in fires. When was the last time you used a piece of copper to strike against a rock to start a fire. Why not? Because copper doesn't spark. Another unsupported but subtle attack on the armed public!!!
Here we go again
- Thread starter oneflyer
- Start date
TAJ45
Silver $$ Contributor
Yeah, I heard that y'day while changing oil/svcg a few of the varmint mobiles.
Just another way to throw "Gun People" in a bad light by insinuation. Now, it "could" possibly happen if steel core ammo was being used.......maybe?
However, they didn't mention that the nasty ol' "target shooters" (at least they weren't accused of murdering innocent 4 legged aminals) were smokers (heaven forbid) or had a camp fire or, or, or.
Like you said, "Here we go again".
Just another way to throw "Gun People" in a bad light by insinuation. Now, it "could" possibly happen if steel core ammo was being used.......maybe?
However, they didn't mention that the nasty ol' "target shooters" (at least they weren't accused of murdering innocent 4 legged aminals) were smokers (heaven forbid) or had a camp fire or, or, or.
Like you said, "Here we go again".
Why would any responsible target shooter fire steel jacketed bullets down their rifle? Steel against steel? Result=heavy barrel wear.
I'd like to see a steel jacketed bullet or for that matter a steel core bullet available for sale to the general public. The last ones I saw were Lapua made more than 20 years ago. Steel core bullets are military grade and not readily available and in many states illegal to possess.
I'd like to see a steel jacketed bullet or for that matter a steel core bullet available for sale to the general public. The last ones I saw were Lapua made more than 20 years ago. Steel core bullets are military grade and not readily available and in many states illegal to possess.
Well, this is my opinion and i say hog wash and a lot of other things. I watched a program on tv some time ago and it had to do with volinteer fire fighters and pyros and it seemed that a lot of fires wether they became forest fires or they where houses and old run down buildings where done by these people for kicks or for the rush. I am by no means knocking on our civil servants because they save lives and our family has had fireman and police man in the past.
Why is it so hard to believe? Every clown with an AK or SKS probably has a big stash of fire-starting ammo.
http://www.sgammo.com/product/tula/500-rd-762x39-124-grain-fmj-tula-ammo
I'm sure I probably have some too. I also bought .22cal tracer bullets from Midway. But I have enough sense to not fire them in dry conditions. Other people don't have enough sense.
http://www.sgammo.com/product/tula/500-rd-762x39-124-grain-fmj-tula-ammo
I'm sure I probably have some too. I also bought .22cal tracer bullets from Midway. But I have enough sense to not fire them in dry conditions. Other people don't have enough sense.
Not sure how the fire started but it got very close to my house. We got temporarily put on notice for evacuation but the fire changed directions. They ended up evacuating about 250 houses on the East side of the mountain. I live on the west side. Anyway I hope they find some good evidence that the fire was started by a dropped a cigarette or something other than target shooting. Unfortunately only a year or two ago the National Guard started a fire just North of this one that burned several houses and the official investigation stated that machine gun fire was the source of ignition "tracers". So the press is automatically assuming the same for this fire. I know there are thousands of responsible shooters who enjoy shooting against the side of this mountain and I hope we can continue to do so for a very long time. I know my fellow forum members are most likely very responsible shooters, but we need to make sure we are encouraging the none responsible shooters. We should take this opportunity to host/lead range cleanups, invite the media to show them that responsible shooters exist. Post signs in shooting areas asking people to cleanup after them selves and not shoot the kind of ammo mentioned earlier in this thread. (they will probably just shoot the sign) If we stand by and complain we will find ourselves with very limited shooting space. We are all friends with someone who is not a responsible shooter take the time to educate them about the effects of bad media.
Sorry for the rant
Sorry for the rant
nicholst55
Brass Whore
wapiti25 said:
There, fixed it for you. I can tell you have a high opinion of black rifle shooters/owners. Ever met Jim Zumbo?
A few years ago a fire was started by a guy, not to far from my place, using some type of imported ammo with a steel core. He claimed he didn't know the composition of the bullet until after the fire was started. In any event, he was found liable for the cost of putting the fire out.
Not to add fuel to anyones fire but I have started two fires on my home range with a 204 Ruger using standard lead/copper bullets.
In both cases there was steel at the backstop to accomplish this. I'm sure mega velocity helps.
If conditions are dry enough (extremely dry) the copper/lead/steel spatter off of angled steel plates is hot enough to spark a fire in dry leaves etc.
Personally I never would have thunk it possible until I did it myself.
Both "fires" were in reality just patches of smoking embers that would have undoubtedly burst into flames if left unattended.
Theres no longer steel utilized in any of my backstops.
Just thought the responsible types of shooters would want to know its not just "the black gun guys" that this can happen to.
In both cases there was steel at the backstop to accomplish this. I'm sure mega velocity helps.
If conditions are dry enough (extremely dry) the copper/lead/steel spatter off of angled steel plates is hot enough to spark a fire in dry leaves etc.
Personally I never would have thunk it possible until I did it myself.
Both "fires" were in reality just patches of smoking embers that would have undoubtedly burst into flames if left unattended.
Theres no longer steel utilized in any of my backstops.
Just thought the responsible types of shooters would want to know its not just "the black gun guys" that this can happen to.
Minesweeper3433
45B/91F
Anybody that doesn't think that a standard copper bullet won't start a fire needs to shoot 10 rounds at an angled plate and then immediately go pick up a piece of the copper or lead off of the ground. They don't spark but bullets do retain enough heat after having left a barrel under 60000psi and plasma level temperatures.
Thats an interesting thought minesweeper. Retained heat.
I always considered the friction created at impact to be the culprit behind the heat. I do know it plays a huge role.
Ever punch holes through a 1/4" steel plate with something like a 308 at 200yds?
Meander out to the target to gloriously survey the damage wrought.
See a little piece of steel shaped like a UFO sitting on the berm.
Pick it up and say Ouch!!? ;D
Still, an interesting thought. What is the temperature of a bullet after having left the bore,, 100yds,,200yds,,etc.
Eric Stecker has proven if you use a thin enough jacket coupled with enough velocity you can begin to melt the core in the barrel.
Interesting.
I always considered the friction created at impact to be the culprit behind the heat. I do know it plays a huge role.
Ever punch holes through a 1/4" steel plate with something like a 308 at 200yds?
Meander out to the target to gloriously survey the damage wrought.
See a little piece of steel shaped like a UFO sitting on the berm.
Pick it up and say Ouch!!? ;D
Still, an interesting thought. What is the temperature of a bullet after having left the bore,, 100yds,,200yds,,etc.
Eric Stecker has proven if you use a thin enough jacket coupled with enough velocity you can begin to melt the core in the barrel.
Interesting.
Minesweeper3433
45B/91F
My first experience with this was at an open type range were you could shoot whatever you wanted as long as it was in front of a berm and not living. I had a spinner plate rated for pistol cartridges that I used for offhand shooting with a 22lr. A man showed up and tore it up with a 308 AK using Winchester ball. I called cease fire and went out to inspect his addition to my plate and the hole was hot to touch as well as the chunk of copper that I burnt my fingers on trying to pry it out of the hole. Blew a bowling ball apart at same range later on and people wanted to get a chunk of it for their kids to know what was inside. I used a 300winmag shooting 180grn Accubond and a kid found the bullet and he dropped it saying it was hot. I however did not pick that bullet up as this was while there was snow melt on the ground and it fell in the mud. I have pulled fire watch at military ranges for my unit when we were shooting at paper targets with ball ammo. You put enough rounds down range without exactly controlling what stops your bullet and you are bound to light something on fire.
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