Penetration - .40/.223/00 Buck final results

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Dave3006

New member
I concluded a penetration test for the above rounds. My goal was to see how much the above rounds would "overpenetrate" in an urban environment. I made a target using 4 3/4" pieces of plywood that were spaced about one inch apart. I shot at this target at a distance of 25 yards. Here are my results:

.223 - I used 52gr JHP and 55gr FMJ Federal American Eagle. The gun was a 16" AR15. Both rounds ZIPPED through all four layers. It looked like the target barely bothered it.

.40 - 180gr PMC out of a Glock 22. Easily through all 4 boards.

00 - I used 12 guage Federal 2 3/4 inch F127 9 pellet buck. Every pellet only penetrated 2 boards. No penetration on the 3rd board. Small dimples.

Conclusions - Based on this test, I think a person would be in serious danger of harming an innocent person using a .223 or .40 projectile in urban environment. I know EVERYONE says that .223 does not overpenetrate based on what they read on the internet. Do this test for yourself. I think you will be surprized. My choice for home defense and the next urban riot will demand that my .223 carbine sit in the gunsafe. The risk to innocent people is too great.
 
For the record, I never said the .223 overpenterates! ;)

Your test was limited, but still demonstrative. The problem is that not everybody can afford BOTH the carbine AND the Shotgun. I don't think it's a bad thing to use a carbine for home defense, but to seek out a .223 for home defense is certainly going the wrong way.
 
Intresting conclusions.

Let me tell you of a test that my
gunclub did for an industrial saftey fair that we had a table at.

We took 3' square pieces of sheetrock and simulated the typical interior stud wall with sheetrock on each side and the typical exterior home wall with sheetrock on one side and siding on the other side. We used 2x4 studs on top and bottom with studs every 16 " apart.

We then shot from a distance of 4 feet the stud walls.
We used "standard" calibers and ammo that might be found in a home defense situation.

We used: .22 .25 .32. 380. .38 spec. 9mm .357 mag.40 .44mag .45LC .45ACP . They were shot with typical defensive bullets, most were jacketed hollow points.

The suprising thing was , they ALL shot through the walls, even the pipsqueak .22

Being the scientific, intelligent types that we think we are, we tried what we thought the next best thing was in a home shoot situation. Frangible ammo. "Glaser" in fact.

What we learned suprised us all. In all calibers except .22, the Glaser ammo easily penetrated the walls. No doubt it would be better than a soild projectile, but it would still be wise to pay attention to your backstop if you had to shoot in a building.

One of the most frequent comments we heard at the saftey fair was that people just could'nt "beleive" that even the lowley .22 could shoot thru a wall like it did.

Our test piece was quite well recieved, we got a lot of good comments on it as a training aid. One thing is for sure, the only way you will know how any kinda of ammo acts or penetrates is to try it out yourself, in the equipment you intend to use it in.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave3006:
Do this test for yourself. I think you will be surprized. My choice for home defense and the next urban riot will demand that my .223 carbine sit in the gunsafe. The risk to innocent people is too great. [/quote]

Dave I did some tests like this a few years back on some old homes that were going to be demolished. My findings agree with yours. I do not have a .223 so I used my 22-250 loaded to .223 velocities. The 45 grain spitzer, 52 grain HP and the 55 grain FMJ just zipped through everything. The 55 FMJ penetrated SIX walls and had plenty left after doing that. I agree that the old alley sweeper (12 gauge) is about the best.


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Carlyle Hebert
 
Although I'd have concerns about reliability of stopping, cheap #8 shot promotional loads might be the ticket. Once the shot separates from the wad, I'd expect penetration to drop fast. OTOH, I shot #7 20ga at two doors leaned one on another and the pellets punched through one door and did serious damage to the next from 30ft! Basically, better shoot accurately...and maybe stay low so misses hit the ceiling.
 
I wouldnt use anything smaller than #2 for home defence! Number 8's are just too small to be effective once the pattern opens up at all.

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Dead [Black Ops]
 
Good Information guys.

My guess is that if a round will penetrate even one sheet of 3/4 inch plywood at 25 yards it will waltz right through a trailer house.

Has anyone one done any tests like this with Federal nyclad 125 grain 38 special, non-plus P?
 
Dave3006,

Where did this information come from that the 5.56mm NATO doesn't penetrate as much as some pistol calibers?

Turk
 
The Olympic Arms website mentions some tests for the .223 penetration. Presumably, to sell the AR platform as the ideal urban rifle. Tons of people have bought into this. The more I think of it, the absolutely crazy this seems. My choices for weapons are:

Riot: M1S90
Home defense: M1S90
CCW: Glock
War: M1 Garand

Dave
 
Dave,
Good info, thanks for the effort. To continue your choices for weapons:
Riot: Nike Air & then a Ford Ranger on I-5,
Home defense: Rem 870, 20" slug bbl, #4 Buck,
CCW: Glock G-21,
War: M-1 Garand.

[This message has been edited by riverdog (edited August 13, 2000).]
 
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