Bullet Penetration

[Newbie]

Imagine you have a .224 caliber - 52 grain bullet and a .308 caliber - 98.3125 grain bullet. Both bullets are of the exact same type. They are obviously different calibers, except have the same Sectional Density. If they are both launched at the same velocity, will they have the same penetration potential and likeliness to richochet?

 

[Nighthawk]

It depends on what the target is, but I'm going to say no. Even though they have the same velocity the .224 doesn't have the weight to get it though much of anything. The .308 wold have the momentum to move it though the material whatever that may be.

 

[1894]

The textbook answer is that if you are relying on this level of difference it's an unsafe shot!

Richochets on uniform ground without stones are a function of bullet construction,impact velocity, angle of attack and hardness of ground.

Of all these factors angle of attack is the single most important one. Once you add stones things become less predictable.