A Patron supporter donated these pair of plates plus the IIIA backer. Overall the results were pretty much identical in of the first ESRT plate, except we stepped the M80 up to a 22". The IIIA backer aided in keeping the BFD under control, but is close to the limit.
Interesting enough the Subsonic 338 LM SWISS P AP was unable to penetrate the plate, but the 308 caliber variant (196gr) in 300 BLK was. Our other AP 300 BLK shined here as well, and it's one of those areas where that if you needed hard barrier penetration superior to 5.56 but not at 308 + velocities, these bullets in 300 BLK simply work very well.
Now begs the question, ESRT vs XRT. I feel that if they took the backer of the ESRT for the XRT, it would be a very clear cut winner in the space. The ESRT is better designed IMO for multiple (3+) shots of a threat because of it's laminated strike face and PE backer. It is however $150 more per plate and without a IIIA backer, not rated for M80 ball, let alone M80A1.
A big thank you to the Patron who used his funds to do this. This doesn't come cheap. As always if you're looking for rare ammo War Pig still runs my code "buffman" on his site, or even Dozer Munitions has cool stuff. If you're playing with the 30 cal Swiss P AP, 8.3gr Lil'Gun at 2.24" in a 10.5" is subsonic at my elevation ;)
RMA ESRT: https://alnk.to/74wJUdc