Ep 24. Boomerang Bullet

In MythBusters season 7 episode 24, titled "Boomerang Bullet," the team is back with another set of myths they're determined to bust. In this episode, they test out whether it's possible for a bullet to curve and come back, just like a boomerang. The hosts, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, explore this myth by creating a special rig that can fire bullets at different angles and speeds.

To start with, the team sets up a series of tests to establish baseline data for how bullets behave when shot straight at a target. They fire various types of bullets, including hard and soft points, at a range of speeds, aiming at different points on the target to see how the bullets penetrate and damage it. This data is essential for later comparisons when they test the same bullets with curved trajectories.

Next, they tackle the boomerang bullet myth. The team designs a rig that can fire bullets at an angle, using a curved track to guide the bullet's trajectory around an obstacle and back towards the shooter. They start with a small-caliber bullet fired at a low speed, just to see if they can get it to curve at all. To their surprise, it works! The bullet curves around the obstacle and makes a slight turn back towards the shooter, but it doesn't come close to hitting them.

Encouraged by this initial success, Adam and Jamie decide to try the same thing with a larger caliber bullet fired at a higher speed. This time, the results are more dramatic. The bullet curves sharply around the obstacle and flies straight back, hitting the team's safety barrier and almost hitting them. It's clear that a boomerang bullet is possible, but it's also clear that it's incredibly dangerous.

To further explore the phenomenon, they conduct additional tests using different types of bullets and tweaking the rig's design. They even set up a high-speed camera to capture the bullet's curved trajectory in slow motion, allowing them to analyze exactly how it's moving. Throughout these experiments, they emphasize the importance of safety precautions and the dangers of attempting this feat in real life.

Along the way, the show includes some interesting and amusing segments that are typical of MythBusters. For instance, Adam and Jamie decide to test whether it's possible to shoot a frozen chicken through a window and have it cook in the microwave on the other side. They also test whether it's possible to shoot a bullet into a boat and sink it, as seen in movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Overall, "Boomerang Bullet" is a fascinating episode that showcases the ingenuity and creativity of the MythBusters team. They take on a seemingly impossible myth and manage to prove that, under the right circumstances, it can be done. However, they also emphasize the importance of safety and the risks involved in attempting feats like this. It's a thrilling and thought-provoking episode that's sure to captivate viewers.