I'm wondering if the impact of a bullet is enough to detonate the explosives? I know it takes a pretty good kick to initiate modern stable explosives. But I'm thinking a round from a .338 Lapua mag would be as likely as any to do it.
>>> I’m wondering if the impact of a bullet is enough to detonate the explosives?
In order for C4 to explode, there must be a combination of heat and pressure.
You can set a brick of c4 on fire, and it will burn all day on the ground without exploding unless you stomp on it as well.
So yes... I would say this is possible. Bullet contact with metal causing a spark, or the kinetic energy of the bullet entering the jacket combined with the pressure could easily do the trick.
It is less likely that he actually hit the switch with the bullet so that the firing mechanism engaged.
If it was an incendiary round, it surely would have triggered explosives. A lot of snipers load incendiary rounds in the BMG (.50 cal). I don’t know much about the weapon this marksman was using.