Anything Can Cause Ricochet: Understanding Ballistic Behaviour Across Materials

Ricochet is one of the most unpredictable and hazardous outcomes in small-arms environments, and ballistic testing consistently demonstrates that almost any material can cause a projectile to deflect, fragment, or rebound under the right conditions. Factors such as bullet construction, velocity, angle of impact, and the physical properties of the target material interact in complex ways, making ricochet possible even with surfaces that appear soft, porous, or easily penetrated.

Ballistic research shows that traditional “hard” materials such as steel, concrete, and stone readily produce ricochets, often sending fragments or whole rounds off at unexpected angles. However, testing also reveals that relatively “soft” materials—including wood, soil, and certain plastics—can cause deflection when bullets strike at shallow angles or after the projectile yaws or deforms. Even materials that allow penetration can briefly destabilize a bullet, altering its trajectory as it exits.

Intermediate barriers—glass, drywall, metal sheeting, fabrics, and vegetation—add further unpredictability. A bullet may fragment, tumble, or deflect after passing through them, creating ricochet-like secondary trajectories. This phenomenon highlights why no material should ever be assumed “safe” or “ricochet-free.”

Ultimately, understanding ricochet requires not just material knowledge but realistic testing and conservative safety planning. The guiding principle is clear: if it can be struck by a bullet, it can cause a ricochet.

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