338 Lapua vs 7mm RM vs 308 Win vs 6.5 Grendel On Steel

Published on February 28, 2023
Duration: 9:56

This video from Banana Ballistics provides a practical demonstration of penetration capabilities for several popular rifle calibers against mild steel plates of varying thicknesses. The host, exhibiting high authority through detailed testing and measurements, compares the .17 HMR, 6.5 Grendel, .308 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. The results highlight significant differences in performance, with larger magnum cartridges demonstrating superior penetration against thicker steel.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistics testing reveals significant differences in steel penetration among rifle calibers. While 6.5 Grendel and .308 Winchester penetrate 1/4 inch steel, they fail on 3/8 inch. The 7mm Remington Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum penetrate thicker plates, with the .338 Lapua showing slightly more depth on 3/4 inch steel.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Skit
  2. 00:56Test Setup: Steel Sled 2.0
  3. 02:00.17 HMR Penetration Test
  4. 02:496.5 Grendel Penetration Test
  5. 03:20.308 Winchester Penetration Test
  6. 03:527mm Remington Magnum Penetration Test
  7. 04:33.338 Lapua Magnum Penetration Test
  8. 05:063/8 Inch Steel Plate Test
  9. 06:461/2 Inch Steel Plate Test
  10. 07:513/4 Inch Steel Plate Test
  11. 08:51Final Measurements & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rifle calibers can penetrate 1/4 inch mild steel?

In this test, the 6.5 Grendel, .308 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum all successfully penetrated a 1/4 inch mild steel plate. The .17 HMR failed to penetrate this thickness.

What is the penetration difference between 7mm RM and .338 Lapua Magnum on thick steel?

On a 3/4 inch steel plate, the .338 Lapua Magnum penetrated 0.271 inches, while the 7mm Remington Magnum penetrated 0.257 inches. Both failed to fully penetrate, but the .338 Lapua showed slightly more penetration.

Can 6.5 Grendel or .308 Winchester penetrate 3/8 inch steel?

No, according to the test conducted, neither the 6.5 Grendel nor the .308 Winchester were able to penetrate a 3/8 inch mild steel plate. Only the 7mm Remington Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum achieved penetration at this thickness.

How does the .17 HMR perform against steel targets?

The .17 HMR, even with a 17-grain hollow-point round traveling at approximately 2575 fps, was unable to penetrate a 1/4 inch mild steel plate, only leaving a small mark.

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