Hardox (AR500 alternative???) armor plate test (w/video)

[SouthCoastTargets]

My machinist gave me a test plate of hardox 500 steel (1/4" thick) to test as an AR500 alternative because it is lighter and cheaper than AR500, so i took the plate out and shot it a bunch, here are the results:




From the results i would rate this plate as a .223 and down plate, i didnt bring my AK and i should have, i have a feeling that it will stop AK rounds but it will probably not be able to do so repeatedly. if you are going into an environment where you plan to encounter nothing bigger than a .223 than this plate might be a good alternative due to how much lighter it is. I might see if i can get a 3/8" plate and redo the test to see if it would make a difference. and i will bring the AK for that test as well

[morfeeis]

Looks like it held up very well on 223 like you said, were those green tip 223's you were shooting? considering the weight loss they might work wonders as pistol plates.

Looks like you were at about 50 yards, what was your distance?

Thanks.....

[SouthCoastTargets]

Looks like it held up very well on 223 like you said, were those green tip 223's you were shooting? considering the weight loss they might work wonders as pistol plates.

Looks like you were at about 50 yards, what was your distance?

Thanks.....

distance was about 45-50 yards

they were once green tips, those are rounds that i make myself, they are SS109 pull down bullets with 25 gr of WC844 behind them. and the plate stopped all 80 rounds of 9mm i shot at it with my Tec 9 after i finished filming.

the .223 did eventually pierce in one spot after about 10 repeated hits in a spot the size of a penny, i nust have thrown another 100 rounds of .223 at that plate after i finished filming, not to mention all the 9mm

i would think it could stop an AK round but until i test it we wont know, if it stops a 7.62x39 then i think it might be a good alternative to an AR500 plate in an environment where you are only encountering ARs and AKs, will save about 4-6lbs on the vest weight, and the plates are 25% cheaper to have made