AK47 vs AR15: CRAZY Difference In Steel Penetration

Published on October 28, 2022
Duration: 5:07

This video compares the steel penetration capabilities of the AK-47 (7.62x39mm) and AR-15 (5.56mm) at 50 yards. While 7.62x39mm has more energy, 5.56mm's higher velocity proved more effective at penetrating 3/8 inch mild steel, achieving nearly double the penetration depth. The test highlights velocity as the key factor for steel penetration over mass.

Quick Summary

In a 50-yard test against 3/8 inch mild steel, the 5.56mm NATO round demonstrated superior penetration, reaching 0.395 inches deep compared to the 7.62x39mm's 0.216 inches. This suggests velocity is more critical than mass for steel penetration.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: AK47 vs AR15 Steel Penetration Debate
  2. 00:42Ammo Specs: 7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO
  3. 01:15Test: 1/4 Inch Steel Plate
  4. 02:29Test: 3/8 Inch Steel Plate
  5. 03:16Measuring Penetration Depth
  6. 04:46Conclusion: Velocity Wins Over Energy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rifle cartridge, 7.62x39mm or 5.56mm NATO, penetrates steel better?

In a 50-yard test against 3/8 inch mild steel, the 5.56mm NATO round demonstrated superior penetration, reaching 0.395 inches deep compared to the 7.62x39mm's 0.216 inches. This suggests velocity is more critical than mass for steel penetration.

What factors determine steel penetration between 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO rounds?

While the 7.62x39mm round has higher muzzle energy, the 5.56mm NATO round's significantly higher velocity proved to be the deciding factor in penetrating mild steel plates at 50 yards in this test.

How did the 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm rounds perform on a 1/4 inch steel plate?

Both the 7.62x39mm fired from an AK-47 and the 5.56mm fired from an AR-15 cleanly penetrated the 1/4 inch mild steel plate at 50 yards, as expected.

What was the measured penetration depth difference between 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39mm on 3/8 inch steel?

The 5.56 NATO round penetrated 0.395 inches into the 3/8 inch steel plate, while the 7.62x39mm round only penetrated 0.216 inches. The 5.56mm achieved nearly 100% penetration, whereas the 7.62x39mm achieved about 58%.

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