Will a .308 Winchester Penetrate Compacted Earth?

No — stops inside compacted earth (reaches 163 mm of a 200 mm barrier)
Penetration depth
163 mm (6.4″)
Impact velocity
840 m/s (2756 fps)
Muzzle energy
3352 J (2472 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative .308 Winchester load (9.5 g, FMJ, 840 m/s) reaches roughly 163 mm (6.4 inches) into compacted earth. It loses its energy before defeating a typical barrier of this material.

About Compacted Earth

Compacted earth (~200 mm), as in a backstop berm.

.308 Winchester against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick239 mm9.4″
Concrete199 mm7.8″
Tempered Glass36 mm1.4″
Steel A3617 mm0.7″
Steel AR5008 mm0.3″
Run your own numbers in the calculator →

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