Just for fun question on a Sunday morning while drinking coffee...

Anyone hear of or have knowledge of how many boards a .380 will penetrate? I know there are many variables--pine vs plywood, full metal jacket vs hollow point, etc.

I was always curious. Can't seem to find any data
on .380 wood penetration.

If the answer is not directly found here: The box O truth perhaps an email to the owner will yield fruit.

My 1939 Stoegers says
"Penetration at 15 ft into 7/8" soft pine boards:"
.380 Auto Colt - 5.5

I doubt the .380 load or the boards have changed much in the past 70 years.

quote:

Originally posted by 2tonicP220:
If the answer is not directly found here: The box O truth perhaps an email to the owner will yield fruit.

Thanks. I searched the site. Found everything but what I was looking for.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Watson:
My 1939 Stoegers says
"Penetration at 15 ft into 7/8" soft pine boards:"
.380 Auto Colt - 5.5

I doubt the .380 load or the boards have changed much in the past 70 years.

I guess "into" means completely "through"? Thanks

I take it that "5.5" means it went through five and imbedded in the sixth.

The usual baffle box design was to leave an inch gap between boards so the splinters could blow out of the way and not reduce penetration.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Watson:
I take it that "5.5" means it went through five and imbedded in the sixth.

The usual baffle box design was to leave an inch gap between boards so the splinters could blow out of the way and not reduce penetration.

Hey Jim,

I guess I overlooked the "5.5" part. Wow!! That is some serious penetration for this level.

Thanks

Not so much when you look at other calibers of the day. 9mm P - 10 boards, .38 Spl LRN - 6.5 boards.

On the other hand, .32 ACP - 5 boards, .45 ACP 6 boards.

Before the days of hollowpoint everything, consumer chronographs, and ballistic gelatin, penetration was the only easy measure of a gun's power.