5.56 effectiveness data

[danm]

My thoughts are it depends on what sort of target you want to destroy, and that depends on velocity and bullet.

Here is a picture of a high-tensile 1/2" steel target. Four calibres have been hammering it at 100yds; 7.62, 6.5Gr, 5.56 and 300BLK. One 5.56 with a SS109 tungsten penetrator bullet was fired at it. The SS109 has been the only round to penetrate.



Close-up.


Tungsten penetrator ammo is not the best choice for hunting however. As we all know, there are better choices for unarmoured flesh.

Notes

• Only one SS109 projectile has been fired at the target.
  
• The dimpled craters are ballistic tips.
  
• The widest deepest craters are 7.62mm.
  
• The 6.5Grendel leaves a wider, deeper crater than the faster/lighter .223 ballistic tip.
  
• Shorter barrels with lower velocity leave shallower craters than the same calibre at higher velocity/longer barrels.
  
• The subsonic Blackout using heavy 220gn SMK's only takes the paint off (no impact dent...One example, 2 O'clock towards the edge on the first picture).
  

Great info, and about what I would expect with the stated cartridges... Why I carry 3 mags of 77smk and 3 of m855 in my 10.5" AR vehicle bag... Now just need to build my 12.5" 6.5G upper