Military Arms Channel did an informal test using steel jacketed lead core bullets shot into a tree; .308, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, and 5.56. Only the 5.45x39 penetrated the larger tree trunk in his first test out of the four calibers. It wasn't even steel core, all the rounds used for the test were Russian steel cased civilian ball ammo. Velocity of 5.45 53gr 7n6 is 2900FPS from a 16" barrel which is close to the 5.56 55gr UMC 2943FPS out of a 16" barrel. Where 5.45 shines though is at distance, since it's designed to tumble no matter the velocity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=547BKysByqM
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