Originally Posted by
JamesNoBrakes
70 degrees is darn near "straight up" to someone firing a gun, and the rounds being fired usually ARE heavier ones (7.62), not so much .22s and the like. It's probably physically difficult to shoot exactly "straight up". That study is what, 60 years old as well? I'm seeing anywhere from 60-200+ fps from the "straight up" scenarios with fairly lightweight rounds, and there are definitely rounds that can kill in that range.
Methinks this isn't a dramatic problem due to the ODDS of getting hit, but I wouldn't tempt fate.
Seventy degrees isn't straight up, and that angle makes a difference. Try it out (mathematically)with your favorite round.
No, the study is recent, and the laws of physics haven't changed in that time. Again, the terminal velocity of a falling slug will be well under 200 ft/sec - primarily due to the fact that it'll be tumbling. If it's 200+, it probably was launched at 70 degrees or less. Now, a 200 ft/sec impact would "right smart", but I doubt any bullet would fall
straight down that fast.
I Googled "terminal velocity of a falling bullet", and came up with this, too. Now these guys ain't exactly von Braun and Einstein, but the results are interesting. I'm going to try to view the show.
Annotated Mythbusters: Episode 50: Bullets Fired Up, Vodka Myths III