If you shoot dynamite does it blow up?

Question

... being as I have no dynamite and no gun and no desire to blow things up, I can't really find out myself.

Answer 1

From Wikipedia:

"Dynamite consists of three parts nitroglycerin, one part diatomaceous earth and a small admixture of sodium carbonate. This mixture is formed into short sticks and wrapped in paper. Nitroglycerin by itself is a very strong explosive, and in its pure form it is shock-sensitive (physical shock can cause it to explode), degrading over time to even more unstable forms. This makes it highly dangerous to transport or use in its pure form. Adsorbed onto diatomaceous earth, nitroglycerin is less shock-sensitive.

Over time, the dynamite will "weep" or "sweat" its nitroglycerin, which can then pool in the bottom of the box or storage area. Crystals will form on the outside of the sticks. This creates a very dangerous situation. While the actual possibility of explosion without a blasting cap is minimal, old dynamite is still dangerous."

Shooting into new dynamite probably will not explode it, but if the dynamite is old enough for the nitroglycerin, a bullet from a high-powered rifle might detonate it.  I wouldn't advise trying the experiment with a hand gun because you would be too close to the explosion if it worked.