Firing a bullet downwards

[ll_billym]

If you fired a bullet from a gun downwards (from a great enough height) would it slow down as it got closer to Earth due to terminal velocity?

[Doc Spock]

You need help asking questions like this.

I would say yes.

[New Judge]

Tonyted's answer makes no sense as it mixes mph with a measure of accelleration (per second per second).

The number he quotes (120mph) is the normal terminal velocity for a human body falling in the lower atmosphere. A bullet would have a different terminal velocity and I can't be bothered to find out what it is at this late hour!.

[wildwood]

Given that it is shot from high enough, the bullet would start slowing down as soon as it left the barrel and slow down until it reached it's terminal velocity. It is no different to shooting a hunting bullet straight up in the air, eventually that would fall down and reach its terminal velocity of about 300ft per second (200mph) which if it falls on your shoulder could leave a nasty bruise. If it fell straight on your head it could easily put a line fracture in your skull. It all depends on the calibre of the bullet and the type. Tests conducted by Major General Julian S. Hatcher, a U.S. Army ordnance expert concluded that a normal pointed bullet fell down point up so minimising any potential damage to life and limb.