Penetrating power
- Thread starter Lineman
- Start date
The bullet used makes difference. Go here for the 5.56. Way down at the bottom, it says one round will go through a 3/8" mild steel door. Add the W's.
.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/556mm_ammo.html
Have a look at this too. .6mmbr.com/reactivetargets.html
A 7.62 NATO ball round will go through just over 300mm of mild steel according to the CF. There doesn't seem to be anything scientific on-line about it though.
.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/556mm_ammo.html
Have a look at this too. .6mmbr.com/reactivetargets.html
A 7.62 NATO ball round will go through just over 300mm of mild steel according to the CF. There doesn't seem to be anything scientific on-line about it though.
we used to shoot a 5/8" thick mild steel plate at 100 yards... it was the size of a man hole cover.
with 7.62x39 chinese surplus FMJ, fired from my sks, the rounds were cutting right through like butter... leaving a nice clean hole.... I was quite surprised
with 7.62x39 chinese surplus FMJ, fired from my sks, the rounds were cutting right through like butter... leaving a nice clean hole.... I was quite surprised
Hmmm....300mm=30cm=about 12"
A 7.62 NATO ball round punching through 12" of mild steel? I am dubious as to the accuracy of that figure, given that the RHA penetration of a standard M72 SRAAW-L (not the upgraded NM-72M) is 300mm, give or take.
I am well aware that RHA and mild steel are two different animals, but 12" of steel would seem to be a little unrealistic for a 7.62 round.
yup something is not right there... i could see 30mm but 300mm no way.... i'd bet my gun safe contents on it.
30 mm is about an inch and a quarter.... even that thickness seems a bit much for a standard 7.62 fmj.... tell ya what... when i hit up my shootin spot next week... i'll take a piece of 1 inch mild steel from the shop and test it out
with my sks and my m14
30 mm is about an inch and a quarter.... even that thickness seems a bit much for a standard 7.62 fmj.... tell ya what... when i hit up my shootin spot next week... i'll take a piece of 1 inch mild steel from the shop and test it out
with my sks and my m14
As a steel fabricator for over 27 years, I've shot at a fair bit of steel.
Velocity seems to be the key.
I recall several of us shooting at a piece of 1/2" mild steel with various guns.
Both the .243 Win and the 7mm RemMag went through, while a .303, .308, and 30-06 did not. I dont recall the bullet weight, but it would be average hunting loads, all soft point. Distance was close, probably too close in retrospect!
We also shot a tree, and the .243 did not go through, while all the rest did.
That makes me think it takes speed to punch plate, and bulk to push through wood.
The above is based on mild steel, not AR, (Abrasive Resistance), and it also is soft point hunting, not AP.
I did get some 8x57mm AP, and fired it at some 5/8" mild. I didnt know it was AP until I saw numerous holes "drillled" though the plate. So I got some 3/4", and it went right thru that too. Then I got some 1", and it just pierced the far side, with out passing through.
Later, I got another 1" plate, and some US 30-06 AP. Again, just broke through, but didn't pass through completely
I did find some AR plate a while back, and most rounds just leave a grey spot on the plate, no damage. Using AP on 3/8" AR plate does go through, and makes a big spark as it does so.
Velocity seems to be the key.
I recall several of us shooting at a piece of 1/2" mild steel with various guns.
Both the .243 Win and the 7mm RemMag went through, while a .303, .308, and 30-06 did not. I dont recall the bullet weight, but it would be average hunting loads, all soft point. Distance was close, probably too close in retrospect!
We also shot a tree, and the .243 did not go through, while all the rest did.
That makes me think it takes speed to punch plate, and bulk to push through wood.
The above is based on mild steel, not AR, (Abrasive Resistance), and it also is soft point hunting, not AP.
I did get some 8x57mm AP, and fired it at some 5/8" mild. I didnt know it was AP until I saw numerous holes "drillled" though the plate. So I got some 3/4", and it went right thru that too. Then I got some 1", and it just pierced the far side, with out passing through.
Later, I got another 1" plate, and some US 30-06 AP. Again, just broke through, but didn't pass through completely
I did find some AR plate a while back, and most rounds just leave a grey spot on the plate, no damage. Using AP on 3/8" AR plate does go through, and makes a big spark as it does so.
Last edited:
"...the accuracy of that figure..." DOH! It came from the 35th Service Battalion's site and I misread it. It's the M72 rocket, not 7.62 ball, that'll do 300mm. Oh, silly me.
A ball round will penetrate 4mm of armour at 300 meters, 3mm at 500 meters.
Note to self: Drink the coffee before opening your flap.
A ball round will penetrate 4mm of armour at 300 meters, 3mm at 500 meters.
Note to self: Drink the coffee before opening your flap.
It's all good, sunray. I'm just glad that my memory is still accurate for RHA penetrated by 66mm rockets vs. 84mm RAP rounds vs. ERYX. My old CSM would be proud that his thoughts on tank hunting patrols managed to lodge in my skull. If you thump on a 2Lt. long enough, he just MIGHT retain some information. 
So let's say you are wearing 1" of steel armour.
If a 7.62 doesn't get through.. you'd be lucky to still have enough function left to pull out your side arm.. while you are lying on your back racked with pain... as the shooter advances to finish you off.
That's a big round guys.... come on.
If a 7.62 doesn't get through.. you'd be lucky to still have enough function left to pull out your side arm.. while you are lying on your back racked with pain... as the shooter advances to finish you off.
That's a big round guys.... come on.
