Can The M963 Be Stopped?

Published on January 23, 2026
Duration: 11:43

This video provides an expert-level analysis of the Portuguese M963 armor-piercing ammunition's capabilities against various steel targets. The host, demonstrating high authority with specialized equipment, compares its performance to the Israeli P80 round, detailing velocities, penetration depths, and material science aspects. The M963 proves significantly more effective against hardened steel plates.

Quick Summary

The Portuguese M963 is a 145-grain, 7.62x51mm NATO armor-piercing round with a hardened steel penetrator. Expert testing showed it successfully penetrated 3/8" AR500 steel and pushed through 1/2" AR550 steel at velocities around 2700 FPS.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: M963 vs P80 AP Rounds
  2. 00:23Test 1: 5/8" Mild Steel (P80)
  3. 01:14M963 Specs & First Test (5/8" Steel)
  4. 02:28Test 2: 3/4" Mild Steel (P80 vs M963)
  5. 03:39Rifle Setup: MDT, CMMG Suppressor
  6. 05:27Test 3: 1" Mild Steel (P80 vs M963)
  7. 07:29Hardened Steel Test: 3/8" AR500
  8. 09:13Final Test: 1/2" AR550 Steel (M963)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the M963 ammunition?

The M963 is a 7.62x51mm NATO armor-piercing round originating from Portugal (FNM). It features a 145-grain bullet with a substantial hardened steel penetrator, produced in the 1980s.

How does the M963 perform against hardened steel?

In tests, the M963 demonstrated significant capability against hardened steel. It successfully penetrated 3/8" AR500 steel cleanly and even pushed its penetrator tip through 1/2" AR550 steel at velocities around 2700 FPS.

What is the difference between M963 and P80 ammunition?

The M963 features a larger, longer hardened steel penetrator compared to the Israeli P80 round. The P80 also showed more inconsistent velocities and less penetration against hardened steel targets in testing.

What rifle was used for the M963 ballistics test?

The test utilized a rifle configured with an MDT CRBN stock, a Solus action, and a CMMG Zeroed 46 suppressor. This setup was used to fire both the M963 and P80 ammunition for performance comparison.

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