223 vs 762x51 w/pics

[r8dr rider]

Thought this was interesting. I was at the SSZS this Saturday and was shooting a steel drum. It was placed at around 400 yards. I started shooting it with my Remy 700 Varmit with 26” barrel, and then a M1A Socom 2. I was shooting ZQI 762x51 M80 rounds. Then I shot the drum with my AR with Federal 223 rounds (100 round value pack). After looking at the drum I noticed none of the 223 rounds penetrated the drum, although a few rounds broke the steel but didn’t fully penetrate. Just thought I’d share this info. And thanks to all that made the SSZS event possible.



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[MightBeEatingCrow]

Thanks for posting, this is a wow to me. IF this is a regular 55 gallon steel drum then it is a prime example of (flame on lol), and just confirms, how inferior the 223/556 round is to real combat rounds like the above comparison. Anyone that has studied the 223/556 cartridges and history knows this. Nothing against cartridge it does EXACTLY what it was designed for, kill varmits (if proper placement) or wound in combat. I never considered the AR/M16/M4 a real SHTF type go to weapon. I do own ... but it’s after everything else is exhausted. My are strictly target shooting, fun novelty items. Close quarters, IF I had to grab an AR, I’d grab the 9 before the 556 for sure! My 22 lr SV goes through one side and out other at 25 yards granted it’s old and rusty but fairly decent steel integrity.

[dwinters14]

Probably because of the amount of energy the 22 loses over those 400yds. You also shot 223, and not 5.56. Velocities are different between the two rounds.

3000fps + vs ~ 2900fps

I also don't know if our military uses the steel penetrator 62gr XM855 or the 55gr XM193.

One thing that is conclusive about this test is that our military and NATO use the 5.56 to it's fullest. Unlike a heavier cartridge like the .308 that has quite a ceiling.

[r8dr rider]

[Tango_Down]

That's crap ammo. Shoot something like M193, M855 or a Hornady 77gr. HP.

[edgerly779]

Is the 7.62x51 the hole on the right?

[MightBeEatingCrow]

I’m sure OP knows, but PLEASE DO NOT FIRE 556 in a 700, unless is a special version MARKED 556 and NOT 223. Can shoot 223 in a 556 but not vice versa. I know it’s the age old how much psi was receiver/chamber throat built to, probably hold up BUT you don’t want to be the one it fails on. At 400+ I doubt the 556 fairs much better, the steel core might make a hole. Still yet small bullets and long ranges not good usually. I have not fired the 77 Hornady, I have some 80 grain match but they won’t fit in a standard AR mag, bolt gun is what they made for.

[heidad01]

Contrary to the High Power BS stories heard on the News, 223 and/or 5.56 are baby cartridges compared to most rifle rounds.

[elk hunter]

Nothing surprising that the .223/5.56 did not penetrate a soft thin steel target at only 400 yards. What you see in that picture is just about the exact same performance level we had in Vietnam. The bullet/round sucked there and sucks in general unless you shooting totally unprotected live things what are close. The 7.62/.308 is and always will be the superior round for almost all combat under 600 yards. The 30-06 is next up the chain and then the 50BMG whoops@ss on all of the ones mentioned.

[Spyder]

Shooting round drums full of holes facing back towards the firing line is braver than me in my wise old age.

[M1A Rifleman]

Thanks for posting, this is a wow to me.

Not sure why its a wow. 5 minutes reading through a reloading manual will give you all the wow that a 223 does not have all that much energy beyond 100 yds., ie "knock down power" .

[MightBeEatingCrow]

Not sure why its a wow. 5 minutes reading through a reloading manual will give you all the wow that a 223 does not have all that much energy beyond 100 yds., ie "knock down power" .

I thought I covered the same principle in my posts... My guess is you’ve never shot a 55 gallon steel drum much if any. Steel can and drums were free targets for me for a few years. They are not much. Shoot one with a 22 lr close range then You’ll see the wow factor I believe. Like I said the one in my backyard a 22 lr(long rifle) SV (Standard Velocity) goes through one side and comes out the other side at 25 yards. Stated energy and velocities do not always translate into real world applications (saying in nice manner). My “guess” (I’m not looking) is at 400 yards a 223 federal AE “should” have more “knock down” (energy) than a 40 grain 22 lr SV at 25... But remember the 22 went through both sides. Many variables there too that factor in but that’s the “wow” to me. That is a new drum the OP posted so I’m not sure if a 22 lr would exit but I’m quite confident it will enter as long as doesn’t hit a seam, of which those above did not in pic.

I’m one of the few around here that shot those. In my neck of the woods you tell someone you shot a drum, they will ask a 75 or 100??? How many FTFs??? Lol

[Kokopelli]

Kinda kills the story I heard of the 5.56 being able to penetrate a standard Soviet military helmet at 500 yards.

[wpod]

On a similar note, I once shot several different rounds into a motorcycle helmet.
22lr, 9mm, 44mag, 12g birdshot & slug.
All passed through except for the birdshot which didn't penetrate at all.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Regular guy]

This is why my MBR is a 7.62x51/.308 . I’ve put both rounds into all kinds of targets and came to this conclusion long ago.