Shooting a Telephone Pole in Half

Published on October 30, 2015
Duration: 7:20

This video from DemolitionRanch showcases an experimental challenge: destroying a telephone pole with an AR-15. Matt Carriker uses a POF AR-15 chambered in 7.62x39mm, highlighting the caliber's increased penetration over standard 5.56mm. The experiment demonstrates the surprising durability of treated wood poles and the effectiveness of surplus ammunition in achieving destruction after sustained fire. The video offers insights into ballistic performance and firearm capabilities in unconventional scenarios.

Quick Summary

DemolitionRanch's Matt Carriker used a POF AR-15 in 7.62x39mm to test ballistic penetration against a telephone pole. He found the larger caliber offered more power than 5.56mm. Despite initial hits, the pole's durability was evident, requiring hundreds of surplus rounds to cause structural failure and snap it.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Caliber Discussion
  2. 01:43Target Preparation and Initial Fire
  3. 03:18Structural Integrity Check
  4. 04:01Surplus Ammo and Final Destruction

Frequently Asked Questions

What rifle caliber is best for penetrating dense materials like telephone poles?

For penetrating dense materials like telephone poles, a larger caliber such as the 7.62x39mm is theoretically more effective than smaller calibers like the 5.56x45mm. This is due to the increased mass and energy transfer of the larger projectile, as demonstrated in the DemolitionRanch experiment.

How durable are treated wooden telephone poles against gunfire?

Treated wooden telephone poles are surprisingly durable. In the DemolitionRanch video, a pole remained structurally sound enough to walk on even after multiple direct hits from 7.62x39mm rifle rounds, requiring sustained fire to eventually break.

What ammunition type was used in the telephone pole destruction test?

The test initially used cheap steel-cased ammunition. Later, the experiment transitioned to 1979 vintage surplus ammunition, which proved more effective in pulverizing the wood fibers and ultimately causing the pole to snap.

What firearm was used in the experiment to shoot the telephone pole?

The firearm used in the experiment was a POF AR-15 rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm. This caliber was chosen for its increased penetration capabilities compared to the standard 5.56mm often found in AR platforms.

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