How Deep into Dirt can Sniper Rifles Go?

Published on September 10, 2023
Duration: 26:20

This experiment tests the penetration depth of various sniper rifle calibers (.308 Win to .50 BMG) into hard-packed desert dirt. Results show significant differences, with smaller calibers penetrating only a few inches while larger rounds like the .408 CheyTac and .50 BMG reached depths of approximately 12 inches. A bonus test demonstrated the durability of a titanium Ridge Wallet against a .50 AE Desert Eagle.

Quick Summary

Sniper rifle calibers from .308 Winchester up to .50 BMG were tested for penetration depth in hard-packed desert dirt. Smaller rounds like the .308 penetrated about 3 inches, while larger rounds like the .408 CheyTac and .50 BMG reached approximately 12 inches.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Caliber Selection
  2. 06:14Vertical Shooting Test Setup
  3. 10:53Small to Mid Caliber Penetration Results
  4. 13:40Heavy Caliber Penetration Results
  5. 18:36Bonus: Ridge Wallet Ballistic Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What calibers were tested for dirt penetration in the Edwin Sarkissian video?

The video tested several sniper rifle calibers: .308 Winchester, 7.62x54R (from a Dragunov), .338 Lapua Magnum, .408 CheyTac, and .50 BMG (from a Serbu BFG-50A).

How deep did the .50 BMG round penetrate the dirt?

The .50 BMG round, fired vertically into hard-packed desert dirt, penetrated to a depth of approximately 12 inches, or one foot.

Did the .408 CheyTac penetrate deeper than the .50 BMG?

No, both the .408 CheyTac and the .50 BMG rounds penetrated to roughly the same depth of approximately 12 inches into the hard-packed dirt.

What was the result of the Ridge Wallet ballistic test?

A titanium Ridge Wallet was tested against a .50 AE Desert Eagle round. The wallet successfully stopped the projectile, preventing penetration, although it sustained significant deformation.

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