357 Magnum wood penetration

[Wheeler]

I've seen .38JHP's punch through 2" oak planking while .45 ball was stopped cold. I'd say a .357 would go a bit further than you think.

 

[bearpugh]

especially fmj's. will penetrate more.

 

[Petro_58]

The Pentration amount would depend greatly on the Load, Bullet Type and Range from Weapon to Point of Impact, and that would hold true with any Caliber.

 

[a__l__a__n]

So what exactly are you trying to Prove or Disprove? Are you planning for an attack and want a shelter .357mag Proof?

Nope. Trying to build a box for a loaded weapon that will contain the bullet if it goes off. Consider it a thought experiment.

Note also my original post specified a particular round and distance as an example -- Speer Gold Dot 357 mag at close range.

I found this which suggests six inches of sand might be sufficient, but I imagine the height of the sand is a factor in the density / difficulty of displacing it, and his sand boxes are taller than I want. I'd like to do it with less than six inches of something...

 

[Wheeler]

Nope. Trying to build a box for a loaded weapon that will contain the bullet if it goes off. Consider it a thought experiment.

Note also my original post specified a particular round as an example -- Speer Gold Dot 357 mag.

I found this which suggests six inches of sand might be sufficient, but I imagine the height of the sand is a factor in the density / difficulty of displacing it, and his sand boxes are taller than I want. I'd like to do it with less than six inches of something...

I've never seen or heard of a revolver spontaneously discharging. There's usually a mental lapse and a finger placed someplace where it shouldn't be that causes a negligent discharge. No box or any amount of good intentions will failsafe that.

 

[a__l__a__n]

Mythbusters stopped a 9mm in about an inch and a half of gypsum cement (FGR 95) and a couple of layers of bathroom tile. Here's a forum discussion of that approach.

 

[pitdog]

http://www.snailtraps.com/checkitMini.php

For what you would spend in wood you would be better off going with steel.

 

[dawgm]

sounds like you want a snail bullet trap. google it, plans are available. don't make it out of wood though!

 

[a__l__a__n]

I've never seen or heard of a revolver spontaneously discharging. There's usually a mental lapse and a finger placed someplace where it shouldn't be that causes a negligent discharge. No box or any amount of good intentions will failsafe that.

You must not have seen the Mythbusters episode about what happens to a loaded revolver in an oven... which probably also happens in a house fire.

 

[pitdog]

Wood is flamable and when lit on fire it becomes weaker, you could buy a cheap fire proof security box for $50