06-09-2011, 10:16 PM
I have been involved in quite a bit of testing reference shooting at/ through vehicles. There are very few places on the average car that provide minimal cover from pistol rounds much less centerfire rifles of any caliber. The door has numerous spots where there is only one layer of sheet metal and then cardboard and vinyl between the shooter and the target.
We tested penetration with layers of plywood to check deflection and also used ballistic gel. Even 55 gr.HP 223 penetrated the door completely and had enough energy to penetrate 6-8 inches of gel. We tested 22 lr through 30-06 AP.
The reality is that cars give some concealment and deceptively little real cover except behind the engine block and its not nearly as big as it appears.
We tested penetration with layers of plywood to check deflection and also used ballistic gel. Even 55 gr.HP 223 penetrated the door completely and had enough energy to penetrate 6-8 inches of gel. We tested 22 lr through 30-06 AP.
The reality is that cars give some concealment and deceptively little real cover except behind the engine block and its not nearly as big as it appears.