{"id":888,"date":"2023-03-15T20:07:02","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T20:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=888"},"modified":"2023-03-15T20:07:02","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T20:07:02","slug":"how-many-308-hits-can-a-level-iv-plate-survive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=888","title":{"rendered":"How Many .308 Hits Can a Level IV Plate Survive?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"player-inline-wrapper no-margin-top\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"player-inline\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/805303992?h=fde826d107&amp;api=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"byline\">By <a class=\"byline-author ajax-home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/author\/gunspot\/\">GunSpot<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dropcap\">I<\/span>n situations where you\u2019re facing life or death, sometimes there\u2019s more to the question than simply what gun you\u2019re carrying. When faced with an attacker with a .308 rifle, you may find yourself outclassed. But what if you have a Level IV plate on? What would happen if you took one shot? How about several?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-40721\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/308-vs-hard-plate-armor-1.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/308-vs-hard-plate-armor-1-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/308-vs-hard-plate-armor-1-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/308-vs-hard-plate-armor-1-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/308-vs-hard-plate-armor-1-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ceramic hard plate body armor can often stop more than a single round. But how many is a question that is largely unanswered. The author attempts to solve the\u00a0mystery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That\u2019s what we\u2019re here to find out today. We have a level IV ceramic armor plate here and a standard M1A rifle chambered in .308, so let\u2019s see if we can find out.<\/p>\n<h2>The First Round<\/h2>\n<p>As a quick aside, these tests and reviews are my favorites to film and write about. It\u2019s fun to test gear to its breaking point, to see what it is truly capable of. I\u2019m also curious if manufacturers over-engineer their products possibly to the point that they are capable of more than their official rating.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-40720\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-800x442.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-400x221.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-768x424.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-600x331.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor.jpg\" alt=\"using the m1a to test hard plate armor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-800x442.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-400x221.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-768x424.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/using-the-m1a-to-test-hard-plate-armor-600x331.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author used the Springfield Armory M1A rifle to launch .308 rounds downrange to test the ceramic\u00a0armor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A Level IV plate (the highest level rated under the National Institute of Justice) is designed to take an armor-piercing round from a .30-06 M2AP with a mass of 166 grains and velocity of 2,880 ft\/sec. This plate is rated at that level.<\/p>\n<p>For the test, we have our plate set inside a generic plate carrier and put it on a rubber dummy for a realistically sized target. Our dummy was placed 50 yards from Grant, <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/traditional-firepower-in-the-modern-age-the-m1a-lineup\/\">firing the M1A rifle<\/a>. We were using Wolf steel case 145-gr. FMJ ammo.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter inline\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"logo-tal-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/themes\/thearmorylife\/img\/logo-tal-tm-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our <a class=\"ajax-giveaways\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/giveaways\/\"><strong>monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>After firing the first round, we found a large impact area in the front of the plate. The back of the plate had a mean dent as well (it\u2019d hurt to get hit with this while wearing the plate), but you\u2019d still be kicking. We noticed a good amount of crumbling in the ceramic as well. It left us excited to see what comes in later rounds of damage. Surely it couldn\u2019t last much longer?<\/p>\n<h2>Shots Two Through Eight<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s important to mention that we fired into the plate relatively randomly; we didn\u2019t aim for empty spots and we also didn\u2019t aim for spots that had already been hit. This would hopefully give an accurate idea if someone were to actually hit you multiple times while wearing this.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full flush\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-40719\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots.jpg.webp 933w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-612x800.jpg.webp 612w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-306x400.jpg.webp 306w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-768x1004.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-600x785.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"933\" height=\"1220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots.jpg\" alt=\"after 2 shots\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots.jpg 933w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-612x800.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-306x400.jpg 306w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-768x1004.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/after-2-shots-600x785.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After two shots, the armor looks well-abused, but continued to stop high-power .308\u00a0rounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite our efforts, our second shot pretty much landed the same spot that our first round hit. We saw similar results to our first shot, just amplified. The entry hole was wider, and the back dent was deeper. Impressively, there was a decent amount of armor left in the impact area. This was shocking for us because we initially thought that if we hit the same area twice it\u2019d be \u201cgame over\u201d. However, I can now say that I suspect the wearer of this armor would still be able to escape the gunfire after being hit twice like this \u2014 albeit pretty banged up.<\/p>\n<p>The third shot was right on the edge of our plate and was by far the biggest dent we had gotten at that point. There was no penetration in the back, and a decent amount of fiber was left in the remaining area.<\/p>\n<p>On our fourth shot, we still saw no penetration in the plate \u00ad\u2014 but talk about one heck of a bruise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full flush\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-40718\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor.jpg.webp 933w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-533x800.jpg.webp 533w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-267x400.jpg.webp 267w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-768x1152.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-600x900.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"933\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor.jpg\" alt=\"multiple 308 shots on hard armor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor.jpg 933w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/multiple-308-shots-on-hard-armor-600x900.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With eight rounds fired, the armor plate is obviously damaged. Yet every single round was\u00a0stopped.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The fifth shot was a tough one. We managed to hit our first impact again, which was a pretty intense test for our plate. Yet even after three shots in a close area, we still had no penetration. Our expectations were far surpassed by this point. We were unable to believe this little plate could take this beating.<\/p>\n<p>Shots six through eight were more of the same. With the same impact types on different areas of the ballistic plate, we were ready for the armor to give at any point; but it kept lasting, right until the ninth shot.<\/p>\n<h2>The Final Shot<\/h2>\n<p>If there was one way to describe the last shot, it was definitely destructive. Everything in the plate collapsed in on itself; it seemed to be the straw that broke the camel\u2019s back. The vest and plate both went right into the dummy\u2019s chest and out the other side.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-40717\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-800x476.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-400x238.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-768x457.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-600x357.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"833\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor.jpg\" alt=\"lots of shots on ceramic armor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-800x476.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-400x238.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lots-of-shots-on-ceramic-armor-600x357.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ninth round broke through the armor plate. The likelihood of being hit in the chest by more than eight rounds of .308 is truly remote, suggesting exceptional protection by this\u00a0plate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Frankly, the performance we saw that day from this plate was incredibly impressive \u2014 especially for a plate that only costs $119. No doubt you could feel much safer with this in your kit when it comes to situations where roaming the streets could be considered dangerous.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>This test should further open the eyes of many to the benefits of armor like this. I think you and your family could be safer with access to it. Considering this plate is only $119, it would be relatively easy to outfit the entire family.<\/p>\n<p>Is it essential to the point you need it no matter what? Maybe not. There are other more immediate self-defense kit needs. However, if it comes down to the question of whether you should pick up some plate armor, I think the answer is \u201cyes\u201d. Even if it requires you to save and budget for it, I think it\u2019s a great piece of gear to add to your self-defense system. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out\u00a0<\/em>The Armory Life<em>\u00a0Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-forum-thread hide-share\"><span>Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"forum-thread-button-wrapper hide-share\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/forum\/threads\/14470\/\">Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-featured hide-share\"><span>Featured in this video<\/span><\/h5>\n<section class=\"featured hide-share grid-two\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/lapolicegear.com\/la-police-gear-level-iv-ballistic-armor-plate.html?sku=L4PLATE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 45%;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/product-la-police-gear-level-iv-ballistics-armor-rifle-plate.jpg.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/product-la-police-gear-level-iv-ballistics-armor-rifle-plate.jpg\" alt=\"LA Police Gear Level 4 (IV) Ballistic Armor Rifle Plate\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>LA Police Gear <span>Level 4 (IV) Ballistic Armor Rifle Plate<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-m1a \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/m1a-series-rifles\/m1a-standard-issue-rifles\/m1a-standard-issue-308-rifle-desert-fde\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-308winchester\">308<sup>WIN<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture loading=\"lazy\" style=\"\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MA9120.png.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MA9120.png\" alt=\"M1A\u2122 Standard Issue\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>M1A\u2122 <span>Standard Issue<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/how-many-308-hits-can-a-level-iv-plate-survive\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By GunSpot In situations where you\u2019re facing life or death, sometimes there\u2019s more to the question than simply what gun you\u2019re carrying. When faced with an attacker with a .308 rifle, you may find yourself outclassed. But what if you have a Level IV plate on? What would happen if you took one shot? How [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/888\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}