55gr gameking vs tsx vs steel plate

Was zeroing my model 7 223 today. Already had a steel plate set up at 100 yds. After I got the rifle dialed in I shot the steel plate with a gameking. Walked down and took a look and it marked the steel plate pretty good. About a 1/2in deep and 3/8in wide. Then I shot it with a Barnes tsx. It made a totally different sound when it hit. Walked down to take a look and the solid copper tsx just splatered on the plate. Hardly even made a dent. I realize that the steel is harder than any varmit or small deer I might ever shoot but I was very suprised at the results from that high priced bullet.

Armor steel, or mild steel?

Ridgid mounted, or able to swing?

Mild steel,Lag bolted to a tree.

Careful shooting .22lr at that. That's the only bullet I've seen ricochet.

Even on AR 500 a .223 and .22-250 can punch right through, even if the steel is allowed to swing. Speed damages armor steel, not energy. My steel has been shot with 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, and .338 Lapua Mag. Even at 400 yards all those still deliver lots of energy, and the steel is no worse for the ware. But shoot a .223 and .22-250, 300 yards and in, and it will scallop out the armor steel. I have no doubt with a tack driving rifle that they could punch through with enough shots placed in the same spot.

All I can come up with is the weight of the steel doesn't have the "time" to swing backward and prevent steel damage.

Im a .223 fan here too, about your bullets there, copper seems to have little effect to carbon plate,
now try that same shot with some SS109 mil spec 62 grn bullets, that little bullet at 3100 about? at
100 will make just 1 hole, like a metal punch made it! little to no expansion. Works pretty wicked on
a hogs head though, it must hit bone material to make any impression!

Not sure if you load or not, but try someday, some Nosler BT's in 55grn, great little deer round!
using it last 6 or so years, little meat damage.

hunt safe... (dry)