500 Magnum & 458 SOCOM vs. Level IIIA Body Armor (HD)

Published on May 21, 2017
Duration: 4:23

This video tests the penetration capabilities of the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum and 458 SOCOM against Level IIIA body armor. The 500 Magnum, with a 350-grain load from Freedom Munitions at approximately 1500 fps, failed to penetrate the vest. The 458 SOCOM, using a 300-grain bullet from Freedom Munitions at around 1800 fps, successfully penetrated the vest. The test highlights the significant difference in terminal performance between these powerful calibers against soft body armor.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic test, the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum with a 350-grain load at 1500 fps did not penetrate Level IIIA body armor, though it caused significant bulging. However, the 458 SOCOM with a 300-grain load at 1800 fps successfully penetrated the same vest.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 00:17500 Magnum vs. Body Armor
  3. 01:45500 Magnum Test Results
  4. 02:15458 SOCOM vs. Body Armor
  5. 02:50458 SOCOM Test Results
  6. 03:18Conclusion and Future Tests

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum penetrate Level IIIA body armor?

No, the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum, with a 350-grain Freedom Munitions load at approximately 1500 fps, did not penetrate the Level IIIA ballistic vest. It did cause significant bulging.

Did the 458 SOCOM penetrate Level IIIA body armor?

Yes, the 458 SOCOM, using a 300-grain Freedom Munitions bullet at around 1800 fps, successfully penetrated the Level IIIA ballistic vest.

What were the ballistic test conditions for the 500 Magnum and 458 SOCOM?

Both calibers were tested against surplus Level IIIA body armor from 2011 at a distance of approximately 10 feet. The 500 Magnum used a 350gr load at ~1500 fps, and the 458 SOCOM used a 300gr load at ~1800 fps.

What type of body armor was used in the test?

The test utilized surplus Level IIIA body armor that had been turned in by a law enforcement division for destruction. The vest was dated from 2011.

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