Why, and for what reason would you like to compare penetrating capabilities in these two totally different calibers? We never intended too, nor are we going to draw any conclusion. The result however led us to take a look back on a similar test done a while ago, in the 30-06 Springfield.
To get a background for this article, take a look at the article “Cal .30 bullet review”

The setup was the same as last time. Phonebooks soaked in water being shot from 10 yards. Every shot fired was measured over a chronograph for correct velocity. After the shot was fired, the phonebooks was gently dissected, “wound channel” measured and the number phonebooks the bullet penetrated was written down.

LoadID 456. 180 grs Hornady XTP, Vo=1068 fps
LoadID 455. 135 grs Sierra JHP, Vo=1323 fps
LoadID 457. 180 grs Speer TMJ, Vo=1013 fps

So where is all the comparison to the 30-06? Well, I won’t draw any conclusion here, but consider that the XTP bullet, achieved the same remaining weight (and better), same frontal diameter and penetrated almost the same amount of wet paper as some of the well proven big game bullets for the 30-06. The “wound channel” was of course a bit smaller from the XTP bullet. Does this mean you can shoot a deer with a proper loaded 40 S&W?