Here’s some spectacular slow motion footage of various rifle calibers hitting a steel plate at 250,000 frames per second. Rounds tested include .223, 5.56 NATO, 300 Blackout, 7.62×39 (the AK-47 round, but out of an AR pattern rifle), 7.62×54 (Mosin–Nagant), .308, and our old friend, .50 BMG.
A few notes:
5.56 NATO seems to pack more punch than 300 Blackout, which is strangely unimpressive.
You can actually see the shadow of the shock cone from the 7.62×39, which is pretty cool.
The fireball from the Mosin–Nagant is huge!
The .50 BMG is shot from a Noreen 50, which I don’t think I’ve seen before (on video or in person).
The .50 BMG punches through the ballistic steel plate and destroys the wooden backstop. You can see the shockwave distortion pass in from of the camera.
The fireball from the .50 BMG muzzle break is a lot more noticeable at 250,000 fps compared to 33,000 fps.