Now, let’s get real. You’re probably not shooting a small shot in a vacuum with a robot arm. You’re at a range, or worse, in your backyard (don’t do that, by the way). The angle matters like crazy.
If you shoot it straight up—which is dumb and dangerous, but people do it—that shot can go way higher than you’d guess. We’re talking over 400 yards up. Then it falls back down at terminal velocity, which is about 30 to 40 mph. Still enough to hurt, but not enough to kill a zombie.
Range Of A Pellet Gun : Is a pellet gun considered a firearm in New
But on a flat trajectory? Aiming level? That little pellet might hit a dirt clod at 150 yards and stop. Or it might keep tumbling for another 300 yards if it’s rolling on grass. Grass is surprisingly helpful for long rolls, FYI.
The "Ouch" Factor
Here’s the moment where you go, "Okay, but does it hurt?" Oh, absolutely. At 100 yards, a small shot can break the skin. It stings like a hornet with a grudge. At 200 yards, it’ll leave a bruise—a nasty, purple one you’ll blame on a door handle.
Past 300 yards? It’s more of a "Hey, what was that?" feeling. Like a really pissed-off mosquito. But don’t test that theory. Please. Your friend’s pride is not worth a welt.
The weird truth is that people have been hit by stray small shot from a quarter-mile away. It happens. And they mostly just get startled and a little mad. But it’s a reminder that range is deceptive.
