Am I seeing things?

VTR996 · February 20, 2002, 10:40 AM

I loaded some 9mm with various powders,PP,#7,231 the other night and couldn't wait to shoot them, so since I live out in the country & my neighbors don't mind I stepped outside with a 1,000,000 power light and a friend of mine shot several rounds and a bottle while I held the light. In a distance of about 15yds I could see the bullet traveling and could easily tell where it hit. I thought I was seeing things so I fired a few and he held the light and he could see them too. Has anyone else tried this? I thought it was kind neat.

Navy joe · February 20, 2002, 11:50 AM

Yep, you're seeing the bullet. pretty cool. See the current vapor trails post in the rifle forum.

Johnny Guest · February 20, 2002, 11:53 AM

When the light is right. Most often seen when sun is low behind the shooter, and jacketed ammo is used, and the range is more than a few yards. It's REALLY fun shooting .44 or .45 at a hundred or 200 yards. This is most often seen by some observer other than the shooter, who, of course, is probably concentrating on the sights. Less commonly, I've even seen the same thing with rifle bullets.

Think I read somewhere that you can see almost every round if you can arrange to shoot through drifting smoke, in dim light, with car headlights to your rear. Never thought it was important enough to set up that situation, though.

Best,
Johnny

**Mike Irwin** · February 20, 2002, 11:56 AM

Years ago I was watching a friend shoot his .45 on a VERY bright day.

I was standing off to the side when all of a sudden I realized that I was seeing the bullets in flight. Pretty neat.

It's also very common to see the bullets actually hitting the targets at the NRA's Black Powder Rifle Silhouette championships. By the time the big slugs get out to 500 meters, were the rams are, they're moving pretty slowly and with a spotting scope it's pretty neat to watch.

Ben Shepherd · February 20, 2002, 12:38 PM

It is tied to the angle of the light.

Out on the desert shooting my 44 mag at targets with a red sand hill for my backstop and the sun setting behind me, they were almost as bright as a tracer round.

Really cool to see.

ACP230 · February 20, 2002, 11:43 PM

I have seen Blazer .45 rounds with a bright copper jacket in flight several times. It was always in the afteroon or early evening with the sun low and behind me. I would start to see the bullets about three feet out from the muzzle and then could follow them almost all the way to the target. I have also seen the keyholing bullets from some underloaded .38 Special rounds. Those semiwadcutters looked like round balls as they flew slowly down range. I found one of them sticking halfway through the fiberboard backer at the 50 foot range.

February 20, 2002, 10:40 AM	#1
VTR996 Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2001 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 195	Am I seeing things? I loaded some 9mm with various powders,PP,#7,231 the other night and couldn't wait to shoot them, so since I live out in the country & my neighbors don't mind I stepped outside with a 1,000,000 power light and a friend of mine shot several rounds and a bottle while I held the light. In a distance of about 15yds I could see the bullet traveling and could easily tell where it hit. I thought I was seeing things so I fired a few and he held the light and he could see them too. Has anyone else tried this? I thought it was kind neat.

February 20, 2002, 11:50 AM	#2
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	Yep, you're seeing the bullet. pretty cool. See the current vapor trails post in the rifle forum. __________________ FY47012

February 20, 2002, 11:53 AM	#3
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Yup, Fairly Common - - - When the light is right. Most often seen when sun is low behind the shooter, and jacketed ammo is used, and the range is more than a few yards. It's REALLY fun shooting .44 or .45 at a hundred or 200 yards. This is most often seen by some observer other than the shooter, who, of course, is probably concentrating on the sights. Less commonly, I've even seen the same thing with rifle bullets. Think I read somewhere that you can see almost every round if you can arrange to shoot through drifting smoke, in dim light, with car headlights to your rear. Never thought it was important enough to set up that situation, though. Best, Johnny

February 20, 2002, 11:56 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Years ago I was watching a friend shoot his .45 on a VERY bright day. I was standing off to the side when all of a sudden I realized that I was seeing the bullets in flight. Pretty neat. It's also very common to see the bullets actually hitting the targets at the NRA's Black Powder Rifle Silhouette championships. By the time the big slugs get out to 500 meters, were the rams are, they're moving pretty slowly and with a spotting scope it's pretty neat to watch. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 20, 2002, 12:38 PM	#5
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	It is tied to the angle of the light. Out on the desert shooting my 44 mag at targets with a red sand hill for my backstop and the sun setting behind me, they were almost as bright as a tracer round. Really cool to see. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

February 20, 2002, 11:43 PM	#6
ACP230 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2000 Posts: 708	I have seen Blazer .45 rounds with a bright copper jacket in flight several times. It was always in the afteroon or early evening with the sun low and behind me. I would start to see the bullets about three feet out from the muzzle and then could follow them almost all the way to the target. I have also seen the keyholing bullets from some underloaded .38 Special rounds. Those semiwadcutters looked like round balls as they flew slowly down range. I found one of them sticking halfway through the fiberboard backer at the 50 foot range. __________________ "To disarm the people (is) the best & most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason.