Glass Blastin'

[QuickMick]

On another thread a topic began to raise the question of what various caliber rounds would (will) do to fiberglass. Sooooo I decided to preform an entirely unscientific experiment. ive got access to a sawzall/boats to cut up/and a veritable cornicopia of weapons.

so all i need from you is what round you want to see hit fiberglass and at what range. im also thinking i will set two targets in line about 8' apart to see what it would do to the other side of the hull. if there aren't many responses ill try em all, if there are a lot i will go with the democratic approach... the most asked for/avg range. given that ill be out blastin stuff, ill probably shoot each load from two ranges.... one closer one farther.

before i start, does anyone need the sliding hatch from a catalina 22'? otherwise its scientific fodder....

oh, ps, the guns arent mine--i just have pals who tend to like them.... the only right wing group i belong to is the right wing of a parrot head.

[St Anna]

Ok, I guess you can use Smackers catalina. He doesnt use it that much.

[hellosailor]

Oh Mick, considering the average "deer rifle" can go through a steel fire door (both sides) and a common 308 will penetrate common bullet "proof" vests at 100 yards (unless they have a strike plate)....I don't think the average sailboat offers much bullet resistance, except to 22's. Or maybe a small caliber pistol round at 100 yards. Should do a better job stopping buckshot though.

Ever see a cop movie where the cops hide behind the TIRES of a car during a shootout? That's because common rounds will go all the way through a car--in one door and out the other--but the steel belting in the tires can usually stop 'em.

[eherlihy]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Ever see a cop movie where the cops hide behind the TIRES of a car during a shootout? That's because common rounds will go all the way through a car--in one door and out the other--but the steel belting in the tires can usually stop 'em.

So the Michelin Man is actually BULLET PROOF?!?

[PorFin]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Ever see a cop movie where the cops hide behind the TIRES of a car during a shootout? That's because common rounds will go all the way through a car--in one door and out the other--but the steel belting in the tires can usually stop 'em.

It's also because the drive train components are much sturdier than the door skins/qtr panels/fenders. The engine block and rear diff are good things to have between you and an armed, angry adversary.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by St Anna

Ok, I guess you can use Smackers catalina. He doesnt use it that much.

LOL!

Mick, I'd say .380 ACP, 38 SPL +P, 9mm +P, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .357 Magnum. (In approximate order of increase in muzzle energy.) My take is those are currently the most popular self-defense handgun rounds.

I would perform the tests with standard semi-jacketed HP self-defense rounds, because, odds are, that's what somebody would have loaded. It might also be interesting to try ball and wadcutter rounds.

First barrier I would say no more than about... four feet away? (Dunno if that would be safe, tho.) Think self-defense on the average size sailboat. Next barrier... say two average boat-widths away? Call it 20 feet? Next barrier 6-10'. Then 20' again. I think you get the idea.

The goal is to see how many cabins each round will traverse before being stopped.

Jim

[jrd22]

12 ga. shotgun, 7.5 oz. shot from about 30'.
12 ga. buckshot, 50'.
Thankyou.

[poopdeckpappy]

97gr 410 slug rd shot from a Thompson G2 Contender pistol @ 50yds

[scottyt]

might be able to save a little ammo here

The Box O' Truth - Ammo Penetration Testing

now we have the hull of truth. I have shot at a 3/8 thick fiberglass layup. 12 gauge bird shot was about the only thing that did not go thru, a 22 lr went thru like it was not there.

honestly anything under a 1/2 thick lay up will not stop any hand gun round at close range and rifles at several hundred yards. i would think a 1 inch layup might stop handguns at longer ranges ie 100 yards. if a 223 will zip thru 3/8 mild steel at a 100 yards fiber glass has not chance.

but shoot em up, it will be fun no matter the out come

[Sapperwhite]

Most Somali pirates carry AK's (or the chinese knockoff) so start with some 7.62x39. An SKS will do if you can't scare up a good ol fashioned Kalashnikov.

I've got money on it going through both sides of your glass hull and whatever is in between.