Minimum steel plating for 50 cal BMG ball ammo

[NPloysa]

I'm curious. I'm in a drawing for a 50 cal BMG rifle. IF, IFFFF, I win her, I will take her to the range to see what she can do! Obviously it's a long range gun, but the range I go to is only 100 yards.



What is the minimum thickness of mild steel that you think would stop a 50 cal BMG at 100 yards. If I use the military Barrett Rifles ball ammo it is 661 grains and 2910 fps (1984 mph or about Mach 2. 86!!!). Any rough estimates?



I'm asking because it would be cool to shoot the plate and see what the bullets end up like, plus I want to minimize the weight I carry!



Thanks!



Nick

 

[fishjack1]

"According to the U. S. Army, ball ammunition is so powerful it can penetrate one inch of concrete, six inches of sand, and 21 inches of clay at a range of 1,640 yards. At a range of 38 yards it can penetrate an inch of armor plate and 16 inches of log wall. "



I would bet that 2 inches of mild steel would be a good start.



Then again -

"The deadliest . 50 caliber ammunition is the Raufoss multi-purpose round. These bullets combine armor-piercing, explosive, and incendiary effects for maximum destruction. The United States Marine Corps notes that the Raufoss multi-purpose round can penetrate an inch of steel at 2000 yards. "

 

[NPloysa]

Sweet! Thanks, where did you get that information from? Appreciate it!!

 

[fishjack1]

Like the TDR - there is a Club for 50 Cal shooters -



FCSA Fifty Cal Shooters Association



Got most of the info there and from associated links...



Hope you win it - Good Luck

 

[NPloysa]

Here is another question. How much "thickness" of water would it take to stop a 50 cal at 100 yards? On crime shows they show the ballistics recovery tank stopping handgun rounds and they are shot at angles where the water is only 4 feet deep. If I were to shoot a bullet into a tank of water, assuming the tank doesn't leak after the bullet goes in, what "thickness" of water would stop it?



I know, hypothetical question opposed to the steel plating, but... .



Ok, one more question! How much newspaper or cardboard, loosely packed into a box to keep the bullet from deforming, would it take to stop the bullet with no deforming or deterioration of the bullet?



Thanks guys!

 

[fishjack1]

Your best bet is to win the gun and let us know...



If you don't have an in-ground pool go to someone's house that does. Stand next to the edge of the pool and shoot the 50 BMG into the deep-end, you "should" be able to find the bullet in the bottom of the pool "if" there is any water left. Oh yeah - I would advise wearing a rain suit when you do this...



I don't really suggest you do this but if you do please let us know what happens :-laf



Good luck on the drawing Nick.

 

[NPloysa]

Haha, thanks Fishjack!!

 

[The patriot]

Youre NOT going to be very popular at the range with that gun.

People cant stand next to me with my puny 45-70 guide gun.

Eric

 

[NPloysa]

Youre NOT going to be very popular at the range with that gun.

People cant stand next to me with my puny 45-70 guide gun.

Eric

No, not popular due to the noise, but I know once the guys see what it will do to 1" steel plating I will have to sell tickets for them to shoot it!

 

[The patriot]

I'd start with much heavier than 1".

I handloaded my M-1 Garand to punch through 1/2" plate with 165 gr AP bullet tips. I'm pretty sure I did the same to 3/4", got to look for my plates to confirm.

This is NOT an approved SAAMI pressure load.

165 Gr bullet @ nearly 2900 FPS. :--)

Eric

 

[Jff24Gordn]

My local gun shop has a cable tv show, and they played with a barret semi auto one day on it. At around 100yds, AP ammo was stopped by 3" of steel, but if you had 2 shots in the same hole, it would go through.

 

[Sageair]

Here is another question. How much "thickness" of water would it take to stop a 50 cal at 100 yards? On crime shows they show the ballistics recovery tank stopping handgun rounds and they are shot at angles where the water is only 4 feet deep. If I were to shoot a bullet into a tank of water, assuming the tank doesn't leak after the bullet goes in, what "thickness" of water would stop it?







Thanks guys!

A small fish bowl is plenty. You don't have to take the fish out or even remove it from the end table. Honest!! Please advise how it goes.

 

[NPloysa]

Maybe I will try the toilet holding tank, Sageair I mean, glass is cool, but ceramic is too!

 

[Sageair]

I may have made a slight miscalculation. Please check with me before doing the water thing. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[JR2]

Youre NOT going to be very popular at the range with that gun.

People cant stand next to me with my puny 45-70 guide gun.

Eric

I have the same problem with the same gun, and with my 454 Casull.





I have a buddy with a 50 cal Alaska, built on the Marlin 4570 Guide gun. He shot a barell full of water and it punched a hole clean through the barrell and the barell did two flips in the air when it hit it. A swimming pool might be enough.

 

[The patriot]

I think it's the porting.

Wait till I get some 405's up to 1800-1900 FPS. :-laf

Eric

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I have the same problem with the same gun, and with my 454 Casull. QUOTE]



Those things are obscene. Makes what Dirty Harry used to use look like a pea shooter... Sorry, don't have much to say about 50 cals, but those 'hand cannons' are just freakin' unreal.



My GF could barely hold one level. I'll never take her shooting (not that I go shooting much anyhow... ) she was pointing that thing in every which direction - with complete disregard to gun safety. Made me nervous with her just holding it... then she starts aiming it all over the place.



Matt