A ricochet (/ˈrɪkəʃeɪ/ RIK-ə-shay; French: [ʁikɔʃɛ]) is a rebound, bounce, or skip off a surface, particularly in the case of a projectile. Most ricochets are caused by accident and while the force of the deflection decelerates the projectile, it can still be energetic and almost as dangerous as before the deflection. The possibility of ricochet is one of the reasons for the common firearms safety rule "Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface."[1] Ricochets can occur with any caliber, but short or round ricocheting bullets may not produce the audible whine caused by tumbling irregular shapes.[2] Ricochets are a hazard of shooting because, for as long as they retain sufficient velocity, ricocheting bullets or bullet fragments may cause collateral damage to animals, objects, or even the person who fired the shot.
- ^ Russell, Harold (November 1955). "The Young Trail-blazers Club". Boys' Life. 45 (11). Boy Scouts of America: 86. ISSN 0006-8608 – via Google Books.
Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or the surface of water.
- ^ Fitchett, Bev. "Ricochet Analysis Introduction". Bev Fitchett's Guns Magazine. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2017.