5.45 vs. 7.62 vs. armor
- Thread starter snarf
- Start date
there's armor and then there's armor.
The standards can be found at http://nij.gov/nij/pubs-sum/223054.htm
...and zombies are off topic here.
The standards can be found at http://nij.gov/nij/pubs-sum/223054.htm
...and zombies are off topic here.
GunXpatriot
New member
Well I think the reason is that the 5.45x39 is an approximately 50-57 grain bullet (normal circumstances) moving at 2800-3000fps. Equaling about 990-1075 foot pounds energy.
The 7.62x39 is a 123-154 grain bullet moving at 2400-2600 feet per second. This equals about 1500-1800 foot pounds energy.
So, I would interpret it like this. The weight of the bullet is key here. A lighter bullet (even when moving very fast) loses more energy both when moving and on impact, it doesnt retain energy like a heavier bullet would. The 5.45 will penetrate armor, but not like the 7.62x39 will because it has such a light bullet. The 7.62x39 has much less speed, but the heavy bullet retains more energy and will be more reliable when "punching through" armor.
Well then, that's my interpretation... Remember, we're talking about miltary grade body armor here (not accounting for ceramic plates), but if we were talking about low-grade armor that can only fend off basic pistol cartridges (.380, 9mm, .40, .45) then 5.45x39 will have no problems punching through.
The 7.62x39 is a 123-154 grain bullet moving at 2400-2600 feet per second. This equals about 1500-1800 foot pounds energy.
So, I would interpret it like this. The weight of the bullet is key here. A lighter bullet (even when moving very fast) loses more energy both when moving and on impact, it doesnt retain energy like a heavier bullet would. The 5.45 will penetrate armor, but not like the 7.62x39 will because it has such a light bullet. The 7.62x39 has much less speed, but the heavy bullet retains more energy and will be more reliable when "punching through" armor.
Well then, that's my interpretation... Remember, we're talking about miltary grade body armor here (not accounting for ceramic plates), but if we were talking about low-grade armor that can only fend off basic pistol cartridges (.380, 9mm, .40, .45) then 5.45x39 will have no problems punching through.
5.56RifleGuy
New member
Body armor is very vague. What level of protection? Almost any rifle caliber will go through soft armor.
Dfariswheel
New member
Depends on the bullet also.
Most available 7.62x39 ammo is steel jacketed with a lead core.
The 5.45x39 surplus round is a steel jacketed, steel cored bullet that has better armor penetrating abilities then a lead core bullet.
Gun expert David Fortier was able to get the 5.45x39 7N6-PS bullet to penetrate both sides of an American steel helmet at 300 yards at a Marine testing facility.
The 5.45x39 7N6-PS bullet has a mild steel outer jacket. Inside is a mild steel, blunt ended core. While this is not nominally an armor piercing bullet, it does penetrate better than a lead core.
I'd think the surplus 5.45x39 would penetrate most bullet proof vests.
Here's a sectioned 5.45x39 7N6-PS.
Note the blunt soft steel inner core which is surrounded by a thin layer of lead.
Note the lead cap on top of the core, and the hollow air space at the tip.
Most available 7.62x39 ammo is steel jacketed with a lead core.
The 5.45x39 surplus round is a steel jacketed, steel cored bullet that has better armor penetrating abilities then a lead core bullet.
Gun expert David Fortier was able to get the 5.45x39 7N6-PS bullet to penetrate both sides of an American steel helmet at 300 yards at a Marine testing facility.
The 5.45x39 7N6-PS bullet has a mild steel outer jacket. Inside is a mild steel, blunt ended core. While this is not nominally an armor piercing bullet, it does penetrate better than a lead core.
I'd think the surplus 5.45x39 would penetrate most bullet proof vests.
Here's a sectioned 5.45x39 7N6-PS.
Note the blunt soft steel inner core which is surrounded by a thin layer of lead.
Note the lead cap on top of the core, and the hollow air space at the tip.