From:   Nick Steadman, [EMAIL PROTECTED]

The Canadians have done some of the most recent tests on
penetration. However, minus my files in darkest Australia,
suffice it to say that yes - on tin hats 5.56mm NATO (aka
SS109) did much better at extended range than 7.62mm,
defeating these helmets beyond 1350 metres......though I
gather they had to be arranged on shelves so they could be
seen at all.

However, against more resistant targets the SS109 often
fails where other bullets, including the 7.62mm NATO and
the 55 gr 5.56mm M193, succeed. This is due to the
compund-cored NATO bullets bursting at the cannelure and
the lead rear core washing over the steel tip, which then
has insifficient mass to penetrate. This can be mitigated
to some extent by using a thicker jacket, as the UK now
does.

And yes again - 5.56mm is notable inferior to 7.62mm when
it comes to engaging targets in thick cover, which is why
the South African decision to adopt it is bemusing.
Excessive deflection is also why the Swedes adopted the
'improved' 9mm bullet with heavy section jacket at the
nose - after experiencing problems in the Congo bush
decades ago.

Nick Steadman


Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org

List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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