Maybe a really hot commercial dryer, but nothing at home or coin operated is likely to set a bullet off. Most dryers operate at under 200F, smokeless powder ignites at 300-350F. Also when not in the confines of a barrel they generally just pop as explained in this video:
Centerfire ammo needs a strong precise hit to the primer to set it off, I think that’s statistically unlikely for a loose object like a screw or a zipper to set that off.
Rimfire ammo has the primer inside the rim of the base. I suppose it could be possible for a heavy tumble against a sharp metal ridge in the drum being enough to discharge the round.
The town I used to live in has to have signs in the laundromat to remind people to check their pockets for ammo.
Apparently they’ve had to replace a couple dryers.
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Man, that would be a fantastic topic for Mythbusters!
Just yesterday evening I saw their final episode on YouTube, closing up fourteen years of shows. I was moved.
Maybe a really hot commercial dryer, but nothing at home or coin operated is likely to set a bullet off. Most dryers operate at under 200F, smokeless powder ignites at 300-350F. Also when not in the confines of a barrel they generally just pop as explained in this video:
https://youtu.be/3SlOXowwC4c
Is it the heat or the percussion that sets them off? In the drier they would be bouncing around in a metal container.
Centerfire ammo needs a strong precise hit to the primer to set it off, I think that’s statistically unlikely for a loose object like a screw or a zipper to set that off.
Rimfire ammo has the primer inside the rim of the base. I suppose it could be possible for a heavy tumble against a sharp metal ridge in the drum being enough to discharge the round.
Thanks, as you can tell Im not super well informed about firearms in general