Can Level IIIA armor stop .357 mag fired from a carbine?

[Raggedyman]

Level IIIA soft armor is rated for 158 gr .357 mag at about 1,400* fps but a 16" carbine pushes that bullet about 400 fps faster. On the one hand, it is moving seriously fast, about 1,800 fps. On the other hand, It is a pistol bullet with a low sectional density compared to rifle bullets and a flat nose with exposed lead. Care to make a prediction?

The load in question is American Eagle 158 gr JSP. The rifle is a Rossi M92 carbine.

Link to video of test



*Technically, Level IIIA is rated for a 240 gr .44 mag at about 1,400 fps and for everything that Level II and below is rated for and Level II is rated for 158 gr .357 at about 1,400 fps.

[4949shooter]

Good video.

By the end of the summer we should have level IIIA tested with 44 mag and 10mm 165 grain.

Hope to get some video, or at least some good pictures.

[The_Shadow]

Thanks for another great video Andrew...I wonder how my Cast 180 grain RCBS Silhouette with the Gas Checks would do?RCBS 180 Gr Silhouette with the Gas Check
1320 fps from my S&W Model 19 6" BBL

[Raggedyman]

Nice! .357 is such an awesome cartridge.

[Dave84]

Epic! Going  to throw some 10mm at this?

[Raggedyman]

Sure, if there's a load that has any chance of penetrating. Maybe Intercooler has some Lehigh EP left...