I have a steel target made of AR500 steel (its .400 thick) that I use quite a bit at the range. I bought it after a friend of mine let me shoot at his with my 6.5-284 @ 100 yards. I was launching 139 grain Lapua Scenars @ 3100fps and did'nt even make a dimple you could feel with your finger!
I shot this plate with hundreds of .308 fmj, not a scratch. So one day I thought I would see if I could penetrate this thing. First I shot it with a .375 H&H Magnum, 235's @ 2900 nothing, 270's @ 2600, slight mark but not a dent!
Next ,458 Lott with 350 grain Sierra JHP @ 2600fps left a mark, then the 500 grain Hornady FMJ, slight dimple, that was it. Then I tried some of the 350 grain Sierra JHP max loaded to 2700fps...they went right through the plate, I thought it was a fluke so I shot the plate again, right through! at 2600 no dice but at 2700fps the 350 went right through.
Then I wanted to see what my .500 Jeffery with 600 grain Woodleigh PP Max loaded @ 2400+fps would do. At the shot the plate went flying but the big slug did not penetrate the plate, though it left a giant golf ball size dent that pushed a good half inch into the back of the plate!
Bullet testing has always been interesting to me, but it often leaves me with more questions than answers.
Last edited by doubledown; 02/04/11.
