How deep does a 5.56 NATO penetrate Pine Wood?

At the muzzle, a representative 5.56 NATO load penetrates approximately 328 mm (12.9 inches) into pine wood.

What is the impact energy of a 5.56 NATO?

This 5.56 NATO load carries about 1693 joules (1249 ft-lb) at the muzzle.

BALLISTICENGINE

Will a 5.56 NATO Penetrate Pine Wood?

Yes — defeats a 38 mm pine wood barrier

Penetration depth

328 mm (12.9″)

Impact velocity

920 m/s (3018 fps)

Muzzle energy

1693 J (1249 ft-lb)

Bullet behaviour

Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative 5.56 NATO load (4 g, FMJ, 920 m/s) reaches roughly 328 mm (12.9 inches) into pine wood. That is enough to defeat a typical barrier of this material — treat anything behind it as exposed.

About Pine Wood

Construction pine — a 2x4 stud is ~38 mm thick.

5.56 NATO against other materials

Material	Depth (mm)	Depth (in)
Red Brick	193 mm	7.6″
Concrete	175 mm	6.9″
Tempered Glass	29 mm	1.1″
Steel A36	14 mm	0.6″
Steel AR500	8 mm	0.3″

Run your own numbers in the calculator →

5.56 NATO vs Red Brick 5.56 NATO vs Concrete 5.56 NATO vs Tempered Glass 5.56 NATO vs Steel A36 5.56 NATO vs Steel AR500 5.56 NATO vs Aluminum 6061 5.56 NATO vs Oak Wood 5.56 NATO vs Kevlar NIJ III 9mm Luger vs Pine Wood .45 ACP vs Pine Wood .40 S&W vs Pine Wood .380 ACP vs Pine Wood .357 Magnum vs Pine Wood .44 Magnum vs Pine Wood 10mm Auto vs Pine Wood .22 LR vs Pine Wood

Will a 5.56 NATO Penetrate Pine Wood?

About Pine Wood

5.56 NATO against other materials

Related