MythBusters · Video summary

Can A Bullet Really Bend Back On Its Shooter? | MythBusters | S6 E06 | Full Episode

MythBusters tested if a bullet can ricochet three times to kill a shooter and if a conifer can be used as a catapult. The bullet myth was busted, but a modified tree catapult succeeded.

MythBusters · April 6, 2026 · 49-min episode · 6-min read

Can A Bullet Really Bend Back On Its Shooter? | MythBusters | S6 E06 | Full Episode

Key takeaways

🎯A bullet's ability to ricochet is heavily dependent on its material and the surface it hits; standard bullets (lead or full metal jacket) deform on steel, preventing effective ricochets, while hardened steel ball bearings are more likely to bounce.04:50
🚀When considering ricochet scenarios, prioritize understanding the interaction between projectile material and impact surface properties.04:50
💡For ricochets, using softer impact surfaces like pavers allows bullets to deform less and maintain more energy and a more predictable angle of deflection than hard steel.20:40
🔧If designing for projectile redirection, explore softer, yielding surfaces or curved channels to maintain projectile integrity and energy.20:40
📈The angle of incidence significantly impacts bullet ricochet effectiveness; a shallower angle of incidence into a paver resulted in a higher exit speed and greater lethality compared to a steeper angle.24:13
💪Different tree species have varying flexibility and stored energy; Douglas fir proved more effective as a catapult than redwood or cedar in small-scale tests.31:42

Chapters

0:01🎯 Introduction and Episode Setup
2:24🎯 Testing Bullet Ricochet Myth in a Control Setup
5:47🎯 First Test with Lead Bullet and Steel Plates
7:43🎯 Testing Full Metal Jacket and Copper-Coated Bullets
8:48🎯 Using Steel Balls for Ricochet Tests
10:38🎯 High-Speed Analysis of Bullet Impact and Speed Calculation
12:54🎯 Tree-Bending Tests to Fling a Dummy Over a Castle
15:58🎯 Force Measurement and Tree Breakage
18:55🎯 Large-Scale Tree Launch Attempts
21:16🎯 Attempting to Ricochet Off Softer Surfaces
24:00🎯 Testing Angles of Ricochet and Speed of Deflection
38:30🎯 Trying Different Surfaces: Pipes and Bending Tests
43:11🎯 Conclusion and Myth Verdict
47:02🎯 Final Attempt with a Fully Bent Tree and Buster

The digest

This episode investigates two dramatic myths: first, whether a bullet can ricochet off three steel surfaces and fatally return to the shooter; second, whether medieval armies could use bent conifer trees as living catapults to launch diseased bodies over castle walls. Through methodical experimentation, physics calculations, and scaled testing, the MythBusters team assesses realism and lethality in each scenario, ultimately separating fact from fiction for firearm enthusiasts, historians, and science-minded viewers.

High-Level Overview

The core premise is testing two seemingly outrageous but persistent myths: the first posits a bullet that deflects exactly three times off steel beams, returning to kill its shooter within moments; the second imagines medieval armies using large bent conifer trees to catapult plague-infected corpses over fortifications. Each myth involves complex physics — ballistics, material interaction, elasticity, and energy conservation — making rigorous, layered experimentation essential to reveal plausibility. The results provide insights into projectile dynamics, ricochet mechanics, and historical siege warfare tactics.

Keep reading in The Digest

The full 6-minute article, 7 more sections, and every new episode from MythBusters and the creators you follow.

Deep Dive into Myths and Experiments
Myth 1: Can a Bullet Triple Ricochet and Kill the Shooter? (00:30–29:00)
Myth 2: Can a Conifer Tree Be Used as a Living Catapult to Launch Diseased Corpses? (11:20–48:15)
Alternative Hypothesis: A Curved Pipe Ricochet (38:00–43:00)
Key Frameworks and Models
Practical Implications & Takeaways
Suggested Actions for Enthusiasts and Professionals

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