Author Topic: Mythbusters penetration tests (Read 1990 times)

LarryL · « **on:** January 03, 2006, 04:38:59 AM »

Did anyone see the Mythbusters special over the weekend on penetration through water? I'm curious to see what some of you more knowledgable folks thought about the piece.

They started with a 9mm pistol. The test was to mount a block of ballistic gelatin a certain distance below the water's surface, and then keep increasing the distance. The 9m pistol went something like 5 feet. Then they tried a 12 ga and it went the whole length of the plexi water column they had set up, and also broke the tank. At that point they decided to move to a swimming pool for further testing.

They had an angled ramp to move the gelatin block on so they could get a lot of distance through the water by firing at a lower angle. First up was a muzzle loader which traveled quite some distance (I forget, but maybe 8 feet or so). Then, they moved to high powered rifles and got a big surprise. They fired an AR in .223, a Garand in 30-06, and finally a .50 BMG! All three of the high velocity rounds failed to damage the ballistic gelatin through 3 feet of water. In every case, the bullets fragmented to pieces upon entry into the water, and ended up in the bottom of the tank! They claimed to be using FMJ .50 BMG rounds, but it still blew up in the water.

Personally, I would have been a bit nervous if they asked to fire a .50 BMG into my swimming pool!

These results sure support the theory that a big bullet traveling not so fast is the best penetrator.

CJ · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:02:36 PM »

Saw that one a while ago, had a hard time believing the .50 did so poorly. Especially when you consider its meant to punch vehicles and light armor and such. Another show they shot up a car to see if they could get a movie style gas tank explosion. Is that the best job or what?

msorenso · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2006, 06:27:48 AM »

Physics can be interesting. Water has a strange effect on things. interesting to see what wouod happen if they used a different medium.

mr.frosty · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2006, 01:46:17 AM »

why don't they try some of the Linebaugh penetration testing
methods and use the different loads that are used at the Linebaugh
seminars then compare.

LarryL · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2006, 12:42:18 AM »

The point of their show was to prove or disprove the myth that if you are under water, you are safe from someone shooting down at you. It would seem that if the shooter is armed with a rifle, you are safe. If they have a slower round like a pistol or a shotgun slug, you better swim a lot deeper!

mr.frosty · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:15:22 PM »

and they had a penetration test upon a 1 inch thick composite
glass that was supposedly bullet proof and it wasnt.
44 mag didnt do the thru & thru but a 30/06 did....
besides some of the firearms gun safety rules say dont shoot into water?

corbanzo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2006, 08:19:07 AM »

Thats also kind of like a test i saw with a bucket of sand. They used a 150grn 30.06, and a 125 grn broadhead from a compound bow. One went through and one stopped inside. Any guesses which one? The arrow went through, pretty crazy stuff that physics and inertia....

tapehoser · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2006, 12:20:10 PM »

Y'all should check out http://www.theboxotruth.com

Guy does some pretty cool tests with his guns. Quite knowledgable also.

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2006, 11:08:33 AM »

Interesting that you bring this subject up. Shooting Times Magazine just ran an article on the FN 5.7x28mm pistol round - I recall something about this round being blasted as a body armour buster and a cop killer by the anti-gun crowd.

Anywho - the artilce ran some water and oak penetration tests - seems the 5.7 was a bit on the light isde but what the hay, it is just a 5.7mm bullet. The results were compared to the 7.62x25mm - an 85 gn fmj by Winchester, a 230 gn jhp from Black Hills, and a 50 GI with a 275 gn JHP.

The 5.7 penetreated 3" of oak, the 7.62 Tok 5", the 45 ACP 2.5" and the 50 GI went 3".

The 5.7 penetrate 10" of water, a 32 acp 60 gn Silvertip penetrated 9" of water, a 9mm Luger with a 124 gn fmj penetrated 58" of water and the 7.62 Tok with an 85 gn fmj penetrated 62+" of water and was not recovered.

Guys, I'm still thinking the 5.7 could be rebarrelled to 7.62 Tok - just a thought. Mikey.

bigdoggy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2006, 02:46:02 PM »

The problem with their penetration test was that the shotgun slug was at 90 degrees to the water, while the 50 cal. was at a 30 degree angle. To be fair to the 50 and to see real penetration, I would like to have seen it at 90 degrees also. Then we could really compare things.