Neighbors complaing about being overshot.

[goodburbon]

I've got what i considered a safe shooting area in my yard. The neighbors downrange are complaining of hearing bullets whizzing by, and I have no idea how it's even possible.

Here is an overhead map.




as you can see, he is technically downrange. I'm shooting downhill 2-3* or so to the bottom of the 6' berm his place is uphill, 2-3* and almost 1000yds away and he says he's heard 3 bullets "whizzing by" this afternoon. I was developing a load for my .308 (20 shots fired, all impacted target and accounted for) and trying out my new K31 ( 17 shots fired, 5-10x, 5-9x, 7 @35yds standing for S&G. All impacted target and accounted for).

I dug up the impact area and recovered most of the shredded 7.5 jackets, they were pretty well destroyed. Is it possible that the gravel below the surface of the dirt is deflecting the bullets upward (>45*) and they're carrying enough energy to tumble another 850 yards? Or does the neighbor possibly just not like me shooting.

Either way, I won't shoot there anymore, I just did not think it probable that the bullets would, impact the target, the dirt mound behind, make it over that 6'high 45* dirt mound and carrying enough energy to go whizzing by a house another 900 yds away.

 

[Leadfoot]

My guess is there isn't anything coming close to his place, he's just pissed you're shooting.

People can't just come out and say that they're pissed you're shooting, they have to come up with some BS about bullets "whizzing by".

 

[Robbie]

Yup, You're neighbor is JELLY or an ASS

 

[Jack]

My guess is there isn't anything coming close to his place, he's just pissed you're shooting.

People can't just come out and say that they're pissed you're shooting, they have to come up with some BS about bullets "whizzing by".

This would be my sneaking suspicion.

 

[captain-03]

Sounds like it is time for a suppressor.

 

[mickey]

Sounds like it is time for a suppressor.

I like the way u think!

 

[goodburbon]

Sounds like it is time for a suppressor.

Oddly enough I was trying the load in the rifle I just had cut down and threaded >

 

[tibodoe]

I would shoot the next couple of days into the ground. If the neighbor still complains of whizzing bullets,
well, you can figure out what to tell him.

 

[rrussotwo]

I would shoot the next couple of days into the ground. If the neighbor still complains of whizzing bullets,
well, you can figure out what to tell him.

Record some video of the shoot. Then show it to your neighbor if he complains to you, or the police if he calls them.

If he calls the police, ask that he be arrested for filing a false complaint.

 

[pecka]

I second that! Great idea. Film it too.

 

[themcfarland]

buy a can, or go talk to him and explain the physics behind it.. tell him it drops over 90 inches at 600 yards.. there is no way he is hearing them

 

[charlie12]

What parish are you in?

 

[goodburbon]

buy a can, or go talk to him and explain the physics behind it.. tell him it drops over 90 inches at 600 yards.. there is no way he is hearing them

I tried asking him if he'd like to see where I was shooting, he refused. and said he'd heard 3 bullets pass over his home just a few minutes before.
I told him to come see the target that had 17 holes in it and the empty 17 cases, he declined.

He tried telling me that the bullet could be passing through the dirt, at that point I said "Well that's ********." he said "ok fine" and turned around and walked back to his car.

 

[goodburbon]

What parish are you in?

Colorado...want some weed?

 

[rocketsteve]

Record some video of the shoot. Then show it to your neighbor if he complains to you, or the police if he calls them.

If he calls the police, ask that he be arrested for filing a false complaint.

I would also make sure your video has a time and date stamp, so there's no question of when you shot the video.

 

[BenCarp27]

The first step I would suggest is to be a good neighbor, whether he is or not. If the neighbor is complaining about "whizzing" bullets; be a good neighbor and investigate it. Make sure your hitting dirt, and make sure your not going through the dirt and deflecting over his house. Check the thickness of the berm. Lay something across the back next time you shoot, and check it to make sure the rounds aren't going all the way through. Do a thorough walk through and assessment of the shooting you do.
That way, when push comes to shove you can say with a clear mind that you are conducting yourself safely.
I always try to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone, until I can remove all doubt.

 

[Taiaut]

Have to withdraw my suggestion after looking at the map. What are those other structures in the line of fire ?

 

[Gator 45/70]

Naa...Those bullet's don't bounce all over, Your neighbor blow's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F7HDUwrMEs

 

[JNieman]

After looking at the map, distances, obstructions...

...I'd be pissed too, if I were your neighbor. I think you have a very shitty setup to be shooting in the direction of other buildings. I don't care if you're hot **** super sniper. That is not a respectable "range" you have set up.

 

[goodburbon]

The first step I would suggest is to be a good neighbor, whether he is or not. If the neighbor is complaining about "whizzing" bullets; be a good neighbor and investigate it. Make sure your hitting dirt, and make sure your not going through the dirt and deflecting over his house. Check the thickness of the berm. Lay something across the back next time you shoot, and check it to make sure the rounds aren't going all the way through. Do a thorough walk through and assessment of the shooting you do.
That way, when push comes to shove you can say with a clear mind that you are conducting yourself safely.
I always try to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone, until I can remove all doubt.

It's over 12' thick, we drive across the top of it. There is no way possible that the bullets are making it through, and if they were, they'd be headed straight for more dirt.
The only thing that I can imagine happening is that the bullets are striking rocks just below the surface of the berm and are somehow coming out at a very shallow angle catapulting them upward and lobbing the distorted projectiles over in his direction. So maybe a piece of plywood over the top of the targets to the berm.