SOLVED: Will a 50 BMG Blow Your Head Off? (NEAR MISS)

[@WHOTEEWHO]

Definitely a myth!

[@jjmckay6man1]

wasn't a myth to that doe.

[@Ultimatereloader]

You go it!

[@amym828]

@@jjmckay6man1 That's because the doe was hit with the round, not a miss as claimed.

[@jjmckay6man1]

@@amym828 you've obviously never seen flesh and bone hit with a 50bmg. he was aiming for the head of the doe.

[@Charles_ONeal]

@@amym828 I agree. You could see hair fly off her.

[@davidjackson9712]

The Demolition Ranch House of Cards vs 50 BMG video from some years ago was proof enough for me.

[@mattbrash]

I was going to say the same

[@Glockshooter09]

Somebody needs to go tell Keith Warren lol. He seems to be convinced he kills deer without hitting them.

[@clintonkerry3544]

I already did

[@mikefarnsworth7444]

I saw the video, the bullet went through one eye and out the other.

[@ImOldGregg]

@@mikefarnsworth7444100% that

[@officerfoxtrot3633]

So I wonder about that video. It looks like there’s spatter and soft matter coming from the deer, and Kieth even assumed he hit it in the eyes when he shot it. Kieth said in the original video he skinned the head and looked for any entry, exit or glancing wound. Kieth stated he found no wound when skinning the animal head looking for damage. I’ve done a lot of euro mounts over the years. I’ve even found one that looked just fine and when I skinned it found a plethora of .22 cal bullet wounds in the sinus cavity/nose. From the fur side you couldn’t see anything but tissue side they were plain as day. Buddy had shot it during season, started asking neighbors. Turns out a neighbor just down the road has been caught spotlighting with a .22lr before and basically admitted he shit the deer but couldn’t find it. Those .22’s were like flashlights in the dark. They stuck out. If Kieth shot a doe in the face with a .50 bmg (which was his goal) he wouldn’t have had a reason to hide or lie about it. Also it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed. Even if it passed through with minimal energy transfer and bone eruption, it would still have had a .50 cal hole through a very easy to notice area that wouldn’t have been able to be overlooked. I wonder if sometimes things happen that we cannot explain, cannot prove and cannot replicate. Then some Myths are based off of 1 in a billion occurrences that the rest of us believe are lies or old wives tales.

[@clintonkerry3544]

@@officerfoxtrot3633 as someone who has thousands of rounds through an M82 and God knows how many more through various calibers from 5.56 to .338 I've seen bullets do crazy shit. After entering the terminal al ballistics phase. I've personally seen m855 go single entry to frag into 7 holes out the back of a douche. Personally put nine 9mm rounds center mass of a fuck with a PKM and he still shot. Ive stretched an M82 out to 1976m for a single round confirmed which is in itself mythical because its not the most accurate weapon. But your part of the problem and a fool and probably believe that ranger "Reaper" if you actually believe that guy. Keith Warren is a geriatric clout chaser with high stories you would have to be even higher to believe.

[@NordicRifleman]

If the shockwave of the bullet could make as much damage as some people claim, then the bullet would do that continuously over a very long distance (although decaying along the way). That would be an enormous waste of energy that is taken from the bullet, and thus totally unlikely and impossible. The bullet wouldn’t make it 50 yards from the muzzle if it was transferring that much energy to the shock wave.

[@Ultimatereloader]

The decay is VERY drastic with distnace, see: ultimatereloader.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/50-BMG-Excel-Data-768x432.jpg

[@NordicRifleman]

@@Ultimatereloader I applaud you guys for taking all the time and energy to make this video happen 👍🏻

[@JP-xh4fq]

This was done like 2 decades ago by the actual Mythbusters and by a dozen KZbinrs as well. KZbin really hasn't got much for original content a long time now.

[@prometheussmithksu]

The measurement of roughly 5psi at the closest shot, and the idea that it might start to damage ear drums, is exactly what you would expect from a supersonic crack, which is usually in the 130+ decibel range. This is close to the level of sound that would cause hearing damage over a short period of time. Supersonic rifle shots are still able to cause hearing damage, even with a bolt action rifle, because the supersonic crack is still fairly loud. This data that was collected perfectly and consistently tracks with what suppressor makers have been saying for years now.

[@TheBrandonFactory]

Had many arguments with a friend that has believed this myth for years. Now, do i jeopardize the friendship and send him this link?

[@rubenrodriguez7266]

Absolutely.

[@thesavage6484]

Yes…..(menacingly voice)

[@curteaton]

25 years of marriage has taught me there are more important things than being right.

[@10ring]

Friends don't let friends live as ignorant fudds.

[@NordicRifleman]

@@curteaton True wisdom 😁👍🏻

[@derekofalltrades5494]

I don't even think an F-15E breaking the sound barrier next to you would do this lol.

[@brandonurbaniak1890]

I honestly think this myth comes from the GWOT era and shooting incendiary ammo. Bullet misses them, hits something like a wall they are near, bullet explodes and causes damage to whatever soft tissue is near them.

[@Hunter-vl6ft]

I tested this with a balloon at 100 yards and it barely moved it when I shot next to it.

[@curteaton]

Actually scientists wouldn't say that the pressure approaches infinity as the distance approaches zero. There is a finite calculable peak across the shock wave at the boundary.

[@CJ-ty8sv]

The size of the projectile has nothing to do with the pressure generated in the shockwave created by supersonic flight, "*SPEED*" and air density are the two main factors that determine the pressure of the shockwave.... Thus, a 5.56 at say 3200FPS will have a higher shockwave pressure than a 50bmg at say 2800FPS (ambient air conditions being equal).

[@charleshetrick3152]

Side note the original story was based on the depleted uranium rounds coming out of the Abrams tank along the way it got massaged to be the 50 BMG for some reason.

[@ssj4crono]

Awesome video! I am a GWOT OEF veteran where I served in the USMC as an artillery cannon crewman... Deployed back in 2009, then and even post deployment we always heard of this 50 cal myth. Thanks for looking into it with a serious perspective. We always thought the legend was somewhat concerning, but definitely absurd.

[@jeremystyron9721]

I can say this. I was hurting with some 55gr reloads in my 220swift-AI, and we all know the 220swift is smoking fast, and my 220swift-AI is pushing around 4000fps in my 27in barrel. I had some turkeys come out around 100yrds or so . I settled my cross hair on ones head when I squeezed the trigger. 2 turkeys started flopping on the ground . I thought it was a pass through at first that hit the 2nd turkey . I climbed down from my stand and walked to the turkeys, and 1 of them was missing the head, and the other turkeys head and neck was untouched . We even plucked all its feathers, trying to find something that made sense and found nothing. The only thing my dad and I could figure out was that the hydrostatic shock/pressure or something from that bullet passing extremely close to the other turkeys head killed it . That day was a and still is a mystery and stays burned in my head . So, if you know, please tell me what killed that other turkey that had zero wounds to its head or neck or body ? I've been hunting for 43 years now, and I've never seen anything like it ever since. We really enjoy all your content, always very informational . I appreciate how you go into great detail with everything you do to bring new improvements to the reloading shooting and gun building community. Thank you, Gavin. God bless you and your family.God bless America 🇺🇸🇨🇱 🇺🇲 🇨🇱 🇺🇲🇨🇱🇺🇲🇨🇱.

[@lanfordjohnson8884]

Do you know what Hydrostatic shock is? Do you know that Hydro means water? How could there be hydrostatic shock on a turkey if it only ever touches air near the turkey?

[@TeensierPython]

Shooting paper with a 50 doesn’t even rip the paper. Just punches a hole like every other gun.

[@wadelandeche8632]

I will tell you I knew an old American Indian that was my neighbor. During his time in military service, he was hit by three 50 cal rounds he was put back together with a steel plate in his skull, had one hit in his arm which was scared with some missing muscle due to the impact and one in his abdomen. Don't know at was distance the shots came from... He survived the incident and lived a fairly long life. I saw that deer video back when it came out and I slowed the video down for a better look. About the deer that the guy shot at the 50 BMG round went straight through the deer's eyes sockets and the pressure expelled through the nostrils and eye sockets. His round was a non-expanding round that just zipped through. However, the 50BMG is a serious weapon and it will do some serious damage!

[@FredWeaver-b3k]

It would be interesting to see the noise difference between between your break and no break. Plus the recoil difference also.

[@kalindanley2843]

That poor guy. Has he said anything about his comment in that interview? Like he misspoke or something? Not even a tank round would do this.

[@vegapower454]

So pretty much common sense tells you not much will happen.

[@mhughes1160]

Demo ranch did this years ago to prove that the guy who claimed he killed a deer 🦌 with a near miss was not credible . LoL 😂

[@Ultimatereloader]

Yes, and we put numbers to it! :)

[@thesavage6484]

Yea in the deer hunt the bullet had slipped through one tear duct and on through the other. If you pause the video you will see the blood in the corner of the eye

[@Lucysdad66]

As somebody that has missed, a lot of animals by a hair.Gotta be a myth. I did get my chin blown off once by a fart.

[@theliberating1]

Gavin is turning into Garand Thumb!

[@spapi3880]

Let’s see the pressure of the muzzle blast. And do the down range again with a faster round for the pressure from the sound wave (like a 4000 fps 22-250).

[@prometheussmithksu]

The down range is limited by the density of the air. The displacement of the bullet is the only real variable, as the velocity doesn't much matter since the pressure wave goes "out" instead of "forward", and the speed of the shockwave is limited to the speed of sound.

[@a_reptiledysfunction5267]

The worst part part of boomer fudd lore is that their claims have been busted over and over again, yet they persist. Mythbusters had hours of busting gun myths, didn't make a difference

[@kevinbritvec3292]

Now test the sonic boom at 3". The larger the projectile is, the louder the sonic boom. I imagine hearing damage is possible from a near miss.

[@KD0CAC]

Now that you have things setup , How about using 223 match ammo & within at least an inch ? Would be interesting to see comparison of the 2 calibers ---- and something that is closer to what really got this subject going ? Thanks again

[@Coldbore375-lp6gj]

Yup the brake info would be very interesting to see actual numbers.

[@randalljeffs7272]

Definitely want to see some muzzle blast testing

[@dhbikerczar]

I wonder how air density would effect this. 100 ft elevation, 100% humidity, 45 degrees for instance.

[@dkmgm2011]

Absolutely chart the muzzle blast dynamics between different calibers and muzzle accessories.

[@MattBahnson]

To kind of put a cherry on this myth, place the sensor at about cheek level and slap it like they do on those slap boxing competitions. See how much psi can be generated via a hard slap. This way, you can quantify how much worse it is to get slapped vs missed by a 50bmg. It's always bothered me to hear people in the sport or even in the military perpetuate the myth. Thanks for finally putting numbers on it. #busted

[@hunterzwiers7936]

I’ve shot probably around 1000 rounds of 50 bmg out of a m107. It absolutely is giving you a TIB even with the best hearing protection. The pressure behind the gun is too much for 25+ shots.

[@IMPACTSHOOTING]

Nick Irving says it will si must be true!

[@RodolfoLozano-pk1er]

Isn’t there a video about someone shooting a 50 BMG, that gets he’s hearing muffs taken off by a 50 cal ricochet? Or was it an other caliber. It was yrs ago, when I saw it.

[@EddieVfgi]

Why the hell would you go deer hunting with a 50BMG? Thats real stupid.

[@jjmckay6man1]

because Merica! do you eat the head of animals you harvest for meat?

[@rockcralwer]

It will kill a dear with a near miss.

[@brockedandloaded6034]

Total myth. You can shoot 2 inches off a paper target and it doesnt do anything to the target. The doe is unexplainable, but its a myth.

[@curteaton]

I would explain it by saying he shot the deer. I think something a little unusual happened and that combined with a little bit of deception for dramatic effect.

[@bmghunter5966]

What if the bullet impacts the fur but not the flesh. Does the fur impact contribute to increase damage?

[@nendhang]

the one who's got beheaded by a sniper was Eren Yeager

[@bluepunk182]

I hated Gabby.

[@bluegunshooter9823]

Great! Very interesting! But!: how can you be sure that you actually measured the pressure of the projectile flying past and not the impact - echo from the wooden plank where you hit? I mean, it doesn't matter, because there is no real damage anyway - not as expected in Mythos... but it would still be interesting! Isn't it?

[@Coldbore375-lp6gj]

That brake will do more damage. My 50 with an RL Fisher brake blew the wire hub cap off my Toranado.

[@xforce708]

So now I wonder what killed the deer? Any theories?

[@dfarrell80]

100% myth

[@johnkissam8312]

Tell you that it will do. Traumatic evacuation of the cranial vault. But let’s not quibble. Everything above the mandible is gone.

[@michaelguerin4618]

Bullets create a Shockwave, the faster the bullet goes the bigger the Shockwave, like a Speedboat in the water the faster it goes the bigger the wake, that's why rifles rip the internal organs to spreads, it might be possible to kill someone with a shot that barely misses their neck in the right spot,

[@daviddemand6856]

Keith Warren is all one should know. Not much of a “hunting” show, but he’s probably made a lot of money pushing products and myths.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

I believe I saw something unbelievable happen behind the 300 Weatherby Magnum on an Antelope Doe but I only talk about in certain company. 😳

[@timrink256]

Would shock indicator labels be an easy an somewhat cheap way of testing this? That way your not putting expensive equipment at risk. Thanks for the video. Be Safe.....By the I never believed the myth either.

[@egregiousblunder5395]

After GWOT kicked off, I don't know how many dudes started spreading this rumor, it was amusing though.

[@docvxmrsdoc8323]

MYTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keith warren hit the deer and spalled. Good video, create data as always. So are you gonna hop on the 7 back country video

[@geraldgreen123]

I cannot believe people believe bollocks like this.

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

better ask that firearms expert joe biden, that question.

[@curteaton]

They're still searching for that deer's lungs.

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

@@curteaton hunter has it in his laptop, they'll never find it there.

[@curteaton]

@@TwoFeatherChannel I assumed they were hiding on Epstein's Island. Nobody looks there. 😂

[@alihopley]

Great video guys

[@Maddad_39]

I believe the data is correct. However, I also took a small buck in 2001 with my 7mm rem mag 139 gr nosler ballistic tip at ten feet I missed judged the scope hold over on a side headshot but the deer died instantly no wounds at all, no eyeballs popping out either. If it hadn't happened to me I would be the first one calling bs on the claims of others.

[@michaelcarbis2286]

Nick Irving was spreading this crap on the Shawn Ryan podcast. 😂

[@humanbass]

This is such a dumb myth. To create such lethal shockwave the bullet would be need to dump a lot of energy into the air, meaning the extreme oppposite of good aerodynamics.

[@LeakyJoosbox]

Here's my question, sucking out eyes would be a function of vacuum or negative pressure, not positive pressure. I don't know of measuring positive pressure actually answers the question of the deer myth specifically since more or less it sucked the life out of the deer

[@jonh4301]

Myth......busted!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Yes!!!

[@donaldmartin4980]

No ….

[@trg3761]

Ok i haven't watched the video yet and call No

[@10ring]

One piece of Fudd Lore that just won't die! Take pity on your fudd friends and encourage them to stop parroting stuff like this.

[@morganW2012]

I hate to bring it up, but the seal guy the "reaper" once again is proven a lie, it's sad like wtf would he lie about obvious stuff 🤔 it makes me wonder what they are manipulating with their talk shows and podcast

[@biggsy..215]

It's a myth. 💯

[@Deuceblank]

😂😂 the sniper guy that calls himself "reaper" is full chit!😂 He said it will take limps off, that just proves how much chit he is full of and possibly committing stolen valor with some BS stories.

[@curteaton]

You hit the rocks beside the guy and chunks can fly off. It's the spall, not the pressure.

[@jjmckay6man1]

I'm still waiting for someone to explain the death of that doe. the death of that doe is still not resolved.

[@Ultimatereloader]

It was a HIT. Plain and simple!

[@jjmckay6man1]

@@Ultimatereloader ​ lol so where is the bullet hole? You do know what happens to things hit by a 50 right? I've watched video of snipers making hits on taliban at 2 miles that sent the head and spinal collumn spinning through the air. personally I think it had more to do with the deers nasal cavity being so much more expansive than a humans and there for more sensitive to the pressure differential.

[@newerest1]

​@@jjmckay6man1exactly like you said, the anatomy is very different, the hydrostatic shock won't affect all living things the same because of their physical makeup

[@gregrburnett3400]

@@jjmckay6man1 You're watching too many video games.

[@CJ-ty8sv]

@@jjmckay6man1 *_"personally I think it had more to do with the deers nasal cavity being so much more expansive than a humans and there for more sensitive to the pressure differential."_* If that is what you think, then you have zero understanding of how pressure, area and volume work and you need to go back to high-school science class. The fact is, the deer was hit, albeit, maybe only a slight graze but was still hit nonetheless and I'd like to see this supposed video of a 2 mile sniper shot that _"sent the head and spinal callumn spinning though the air"_ because I have to call BS on it because at 2 miles, the energy of that 50bmg a high BC 50cal round (like say a 750grain AMAX) at 2 miles isn't even 1200lb-ft and the round is subsonic... Basically, a 300WM at 200yards will do FAR MOR damage than a 50 at 2 miles and 300WM's at 200 yards dont _"sent the head and spinal callumn spinning though the air"_

[@approachingtarget.4503]

B.s.!!! A .308 will cause a skull to burst wide open. A .50 traveling within a foot of a head will take an ear off. A .50 to a belt buckle will separate a torso from the legs. Seen it from the sending end of things.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Here's what we know- it's 4 PSI or less pressure differential. A miss from a 50 BMG will not tear a person's head off :)

[@donaldmartin4980]

I did see dismounts get hit belt level with the Bradley chain gun , some torsos went about fifty feet straight up….. the Colonel got pissed for wasting expensive ammo ..

[@C-Culper4874]

I have seen the aftermath of an M2. Not one person was cut into. Saw a shoulder hit, arm wasn't taken off. That was with ball ammo. 500 meter range.