Bob, at 13:33 on May 20 1996, you wrote to Keith Richardson ...

KR>> no idea, he was obviously very unlucky. i do wonder 
KR>> sometimes when i see people firing guns into the air, what 
KR>> damage the bullets do when they land. 

BL> It's not as bad as you think. If you fire an M16 it leaves 
BL> the muzzle at Mach-3 (990m/s), but if you drop the bullet 
BL> from an infinite height it's terminal velocity in the 
BL> atmosphere is around 70m/s (160mph). It's energy is 
BL> 200-times less and would only give you a nasty bonk on the 
BL> head.

Are you sure about this "nasty bonk"?  I reckon that a hunk of
led travelling at 230kph would give you one hell of a "nasty
bonk".

I been hit in the chest with a small stone thrown up by another vehicle. 
Even through my leather jacket and jumper etc it hurt like hell.  I
wouldn't like to be clouted on an unprotected head with the same pebble.

A sparrow in the face at 140kph gets your attention too  :-)

David
@EOT:

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