Which type of firearm has a higher chance of ricochet?

Rimfire cartridges have a higher chance of ricochet compared to other types of firearms primarily due to their construction and design. Rimfire ammunition, which includes small caliber rounds like the .22 Long Rifle, typically has lighter projectiles that can easily skip off hard surfaces, such as rocks or metal. Their relatively low mass and lower velocities make them more prone to deflecting when they hit a hard object.

This phenomenon is particularly critical in hunting and shooting sports because ricochets can create unpredictable trajectories that pose safety risks to shooters and bystanders. Understanding this characteristic helps hunters make informed decisions about ammunition selection and the types of environments in which they choose to shoot.

Other types of firearms, such as shotguns or centerfire cartridges, typically fire heavier projectiles that have a higher likelihood of penetrating surfaces rather than ricocheting, thus generally have a lower risk of ricochet in comparison. Pellet guns, while also having specific characteristics, usually shoot lighter pellets at lower velocities, which can also affect their ricochet potential, but they are not as commonly associated with high ricochet risks as rimfire cartridges.