Will a .22 LR Penetrate Drywall (Gypsum)?

Yes — defeats a 13 mm drywall (gypsum) barrier
Penetration depth
239 mm (9.4″)
Impact velocity
330 m/s (1083 fps)
Muzzle energy
142 J (104 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative .22 LR load (2.6 g, FMJ, 330 m/s) reaches roughly 239 mm (9.4 inches) into drywall (gypsum). That is enough to defeat a typical barrier of this material — treat anything behind it as exposed.

About Drywall (Gypsum)

One sheet of interior drywall is ~13 mm; a wall is two sheets and a gap.

.22 LR against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick49 mm1.9″
Concrete26 mm1.0″
Tempered Glass11 mm0.4″
Steel A362 mm0.1″
Steel AR5001 mm0.0″
Run your own numbers in the calculator →

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