On pistol ranges that run 2000+ fps loads for metal targets -
the spotter sees the bullet hit the place it lands. He is just off
and behind the bullet - so he sees some side of it - not just the tail.

With his or her eye, they see where on the target it hits and when it
is picked up again (after 5 shots) the resetter points to the hit spot.
Most often is where the spotter saw it.

Martin

On 5/14/2012 11:00 AM, Stanley Schaefer wrote:
On May 13, 9:49 pm,
wrote:
I was at a gun range today with a friend, shooting a 9mm hand gun.

When he was shooting, I was standing behind him, watching. After a few
shots, I realized that I may have seen a glimpse of the bullets as
they flew downrange.

I watched some more, and it did seem this way, although it was hard to
see them and the barrel flash did not clarify things.

I am wondering, if, perhaps, it is known that flying bullets of that
sort of size and speed can be actually seen.

i

Pistol bullets are easily seen. You have to be positioned just right
to see higher-speed bullets. .30 caliber bullets like from a .30-06
can be seen at about 50 yards on out, in my experience. I've never
seen a bullet in flight as a shooter, being more focused on the
sights. Just as a bystander.

Stan