You may have heard about an often referenced but hardly ever produced, research study that talks about the penetration of the .223 Remington cartridge vs. several “common” SMG rounds.
It’s a very interesting read and it may just make you rethink the .223 as a home-defense round. I did.
From the study:
I am not sure I’d call the 10mm a “common” SMG round but the 147gr 9mm and 180gr .40S&W definitely are.
Here is a link to the document: About .223 Penetration
We also have a link and a downloadable PDF version on our Recommendations Page: Recommendations - Train To Be Safe Academy.
It’s a very interesting read and it may just make you rethink the .223 as a home-defense round. I did.
From the study:
Equipment Employed / Rounds Tested
For these series of tests the following firearms, ammunition and equipment were employed:
• Sealed, match grade test barrel to determine 25 yard, 10-shot group accuracy and 20-round velocity potential.
• 20" barreled, M16A1 rifle to stabilize and test rounds ranging from 40 to 55 grains in weight.
• 20" barreled, M16A2 rifle to stabilize and test rounds ranging from 62 to 69 grains in weight.
• Oehler Model 85 chronograph.
• Ransom type rifle rest, with laser bore sighting.
• Numerous blocks of Kind and Knox 250-A, 10% gelatin, to simulate living tissue.
• Federal’s 40-grain "Blitz" hollow point, 55-grain soft point and 69-grain hollow point; 9mm 147-grain Hydra-Shok, 10mm and .40 S&W 180-grain, jacketed hollow points.
• Winchester’s 55- and 62-grain full metal case, NTO-military spec. rounds.”
For these series of tests the following firearms, ammunition and equipment were employed:
• Sealed, match grade test barrel to determine 25 yard, 10-shot group accuracy and 20-round velocity potential.
• 20" barreled, M16A1 rifle to stabilize and test rounds ranging from 40 to 55 grains in weight.
• 20" barreled, M16A2 rifle to stabilize and test rounds ranging from 62 to 69 grains in weight.
• Oehler Model 85 chronograph.
• Ransom type rifle rest, with laser bore sighting.
• Numerous blocks of Kind and Knox 250-A, 10% gelatin, to simulate living tissue.
• Federal’s 40-grain "Blitz" hollow point, 55-grain soft point and 69-grain hollow point; 9mm 147-grain Hydra-Shok, 10mm and .40 S&W 180-grain, jacketed hollow points.
• Winchester’s 55- and 62-grain full metal case, NTO-military spec. rounds.”
I am not sure I’d call the 10mm a “common” SMG round but the 147gr 9mm and 180gr .40S&W definitely are.
Here is a link to the document: About .223 Penetration
We also have a link and a downloadable PDF version on our Recommendations Page: Recommendations - Train To Be Safe Academy.