308 vs Steel: Bullets Make A BIG Difference

Published on May 30, 2023
Duration: 9:14

This test evaluates how different .308 Winchester bullet types perform against various thicknesses of mild steel. Results show that while most standard bullets penetrate 1/4 inch steel, performance varies significantly on 3/8 inch and thicker plates. Specialized armor-piercing rounds demonstrate superior penetration capabilities, highlighting the impact of bullet construction and material on terminal ballistics against hard targets.

Quick Summary

Standard .308 Winchester bullets struggled against thicker steel plates. While all rounds penetrated 1/4 inch steel, performance varied on 3/8 inch plates. No standard projectiles could fully penetrate 1/2 inch steel, though specialized AP rounds showed significant capability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: .308 vs Steel Test
  2. 00:19Test Setup: Rifle & Chronograph
  3. 01:241/4 Inch Steel Plate Results
  4. 02:593/8 Inch Steel Plate Results
  5. 05:021/2 Inch Steel Plate Results
  6. 06:31Armor Piercing (AP) Round Test
  7. 07:40Data Analysis & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What .308 bullet types were tested against steel?

The test included 20 different bullet types for the .308 Winchester caliber, comprising 18 handloads and 2 factory loads, ranging in weight from 120gr to 208gr, including standard hunting, match, copper, and armor-piercing rounds.

How did .308 bullets perform on 1/4 inch steel?

All tested .308 Winchester rounds, regardless of their specific construction or weight (120gr to 208gr), successfully penetrated the 1/4 inch mild steel plate during the test.

Which .308 bullets failed to penetrate 3/8 inch steel?

On the 3/8 inch mild steel plate, copper bullets, the 125gr FMJ, and the heavy 208gr ELD-M failed to penetrate. Most standard lead-core hunting and match bullets successfully passed through.

Can standard .308 rounds penetrate 1/2 inch steel?

No, the test demonstrated that standard .308 Winchester projectiles, including various 150gr and 165gr variants, were consistently unable to fully penetrate a 1/2 inch mild steel plate.

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