I asked a simple question about optimum penetration values of the 7.62 NATO and I'm getting lectured on wound cavities, 5.56 NATO's reliance of fragmenting, velocities at X range, and hypothetical "can do" capabilities of the round in question. I appreciate the attempts, but in the spirit of Stifler's closet encounter in American Pie III, "Focus, focus, focus!"
What I saw with the 5.56 NATO was showing ranges of 50 to 400 yards at intervals of 50 yards. The mediums were masonry block, steel plate (3/8th?), wood planks, and ballistic gelatin. The findings on the "penetration" abilities were consistently showing at or near 200 yards to be the optimum range for the 5.56 NATO to penetrate. Anything closer and the bullet fragmented too easily and anything further away and the kinetic energy was on the down hill swing. There is a correlation between bullet construction and velocity that allows 200 yards to be "it" for the two different 5.56 NATO rounds. The author referenced his findings and that of the US Army's findings to be very similar. I have not searched any of the official US Army's research archive *yet*. But I will.
I'll keep searching on in the interwebs and post the info when I find it. Somewhere out there is the info for the 7.62 NATO's optimum penetration range in data form. Like I said, I figured someone here would have some insight on similar info for the 7.62 NATO.
EDIT: This is NOT the exact source I had seen early, but it does reference the 200m range as being the "best" range for penetration purposes. Scroll down to "ammunition effects".
200m is optimum range
EDIT #2: Not surprisingly I found similar info on the 7.62 NATO on the same sight as linked above. I was a bit surprised at 600m being the "optimum" range of penetration though, I'd figured it would be between 300-400m.
600m is optimum?