The proof/test pressure is listed as 65,000psi (450,000kPa). and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! During operation or simply game shootings, it can make a significant wound in cases of accidents. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). A 50 caliber bullet is measured to be an inch. Required fields are marked *. [1]) is a .50in (12.7mm) caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. We dont have a single set of data we can look at to determine stopping power. I enjoyed reading it. Machine guns use it as a continuous belt of rounds. Still, some might be unfamiliar, so we want to touch on what exactly a ballistic coefficient is before we move on to the comparison. Some of them can also be semi auto-loading guns. 12.7 x 99mm, APEI, M 02, "Advancements in Lightweight .50 Caliber Ammunition", "DoD Wants Bullet That Can Change Direction After Being Fired", "EXACTO Guided bullet demonstrates repeatable performance against moving targets 2904152 | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analyse focus army defence military industry army", "EXACTO Guided Bullet Demonstrates Repeatable Performance against Moving Targets", "Metal link M9 for cal. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. Heavier bullets with the same diameter are going to penetrate deeper than lighter rounds with the same diameter. To gain more knowledge and quick learning, a comparison table is always the best form. KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? The.50 BMG is quite legal for buying without the need for a special license or process. . Its a culmination of several factors including bullet energy, penetration, bullet expansion, and shot placement. We arrived at these numbers by using a 15lb firearm for the 338 LM rounds and a 30lb firearm for the 50 BMG rounds, which are common weights for rifles chambered for each cartridge. You can find an email form and contact information here. A high number means the bullet is more efficient at resisting air friction (negative acceleration). If we look at the sectional densities of the ten rounds we see that there is not a huge advantage to one cartridge over the other in this regard though the 50BMG cartridge does have two rounds above the .4 mark. Hornady Manufacturing makes the best cartridges for 50 BMG Ammunition 10 Rounds. They should show closer accuracy between each other however, because the form factor is constant. Different snipers have different ranges depending on their design. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. When dealing with more obscure cartridges that dont have a huge market and takes quite a lot more material to make and you have the trifecta for expensive rounds. These bullets are magnetic. The .50 BMG cartridge is also used in anti-materiel rifles. These are extremely large rounds that require heavy weapons as well as other equipment to shoot accurately. Still, we think that we can get some valuable information by examining the kinetic energy associated with our various rounds as the move from the muzzle down range to 1,000 yards. This is because the bullet is very large, so the wound it makes is also large and deep, but still curable. Still, with the categories we have examined so far, we can infer some information in a roundabout way when it comes to the potential accuracy between the 338 Lapua Mag versus 50 BMG. Other than armed forces, civilians use this bullet round for target shooting and sports. The eight-year-old National Guard Sniper School is the only U.S. military sniper school open to women and Jennifer was the first female graduate to complete the first counter-sniper course for the Air Guard security personnel. The cartridges have two separate links of the machine gun selected. The higher the number, the less drag the projectile will experience. Muzzle 100 yds. Inside the cartridge consists of a core made of manganese molybdenum steel, a point filler, and a seal of the lead-antimony base. The Ballistic Coefficient of tangential ogive jacketed bullets traveling at velocities above the speed of sound can be calculated to a reasonable degree of accuracy if careful measurements are made to determine the actual radius curve of the nose portion and the boat tail (if any) dimensions. Federal Ammunition 50 BMG Ballistic Data. Not match ammo. The SD comes from the diameter of the bullet and the weight of the bullet. Both are going to penetrate just about any hide or armor that is out there, its what they were designed to do, and we have seen from the velocities that they are going to speed and power behind them to get the job done. If youre looking to choose between heavy, hard hitting, and far flying cartridges such as the .338 LM and 50 BMG we are pretty confident that you are well aware of the ballistic coefficient. Any round from this bullet produces between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force muzzle energies. Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well. 50 Cal is generally known as the bore and the nominal bullet diameter. This limitation was entirely tactical in nature and was intended to hide the vulnerable M40 and its crew from the enemy until the main anti-tank gun was ready for firing; however, Parks concludes that some U.S. troops assumed the existence of a legal limitation on the use of .50-caliber projectiles more generally. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15 in (381 mm), with 8 lands and grooves. This is roughly the same as saying that the projectile in question possesses low drag, although some meaning is lost in the generalization. ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. Citadel 1911 Review: Best Budget-Friendly Pistol? Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. Where there are variables, we try to keep them as uniform as possible, but for some cases, it only makes sense to change these variables based on the cartridges. Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. 400 yds. It was developed for the M2 Browning machine gun over 110 years ago, and was based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. Any armor with composite metal foam is strong to stop a 50 cal bullet. The 7.62 is the "screw you way over there" round. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. The .50 BMG Flechette rifle project was contacted out by DARPA in 1960's. The projectile consisted of a saboted depleted uranium dart weighing 11.9 gram ( 183.6 grains ). For two cartridges that are touted as extreme distance shooters, the ballistic coefficient is going to be an important factor for potential users. Granted, if youre firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. But, if you need the performance, its just something you have to deal with, especially if you dont reload. These rounds are listed below. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG) was developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910sas countries began producing armored vehicles leading up to WWI. All of them but one .338 LM round break the .55 mark. Regardless of what youre using your rifle for and regardless of the cartridge its chambered for we are all going to be interested in its ballistic performance. Similarly, .50 BMG weapons have attracted attention from law enforcement agencies; they have been adopted by the New York City Police Department as well as the Pittsburgh Police. Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. Zero Range (yd) Customer Reviews. A .50 BMG round can effectively disable a vehicle when fired into the engine block. Contrary to a persistent misconception within the United States Armed Forces, using .50 BMG directly against enemy personnel is not prohibited by the laws of war. Description: Lake City 50 BMG ammunition consists of Lake City brass, boxer-primers and 660 Grain projectiles. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.62 Bullet Weight: 661 gr Initial Velocity: 2750 fps Sight Height : 3 in Shooting Angle: 0 Wind Speed: 0 mph Wind Angle: 0 Zero Range: 100 yd Chart Range: 2600 yd Maximum Range: 7169 yd Step Size: 50 yd International Standard Atmosphere Altitude: Sea Level (0 ft) Barometric Pressure: 29.92 Hg Temperature: 59 F [39] However, .50 BMG rifles registered prior to the enacted bans remain lawful to possess in California[37][40] and Connecticut. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. In addition, these snipers will have less drift from the winds of the bullet. New reloading data must be opened as a PDF document in an up-to-date compatible PDF viewer. It has the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory to make shots of even 1,500 yards. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. We are working on a massive list, but this list won't be ready for a few weeks or months. As time goes, they are becoming more popular among shooters and hunters. Still, by looking at the sectional density (SD) of the rounds, we can get an idea of how well these different bullets can penetrate and gives us a basis for comparison. In this Article: RecoilBallisticsTrajectoryStopping PowerAccuracyPrice & AvailabilityPriceApplicationsBest Rounds In this cartridge comparison, we are going to take a look at the 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Winchester. The energy is only part of the equation to stopping power, but it is an important one to examine nonetheless. It is a scaled up version of the venerable .30-06 (standard issue in infantry rifles for the U.S. in both World Wars). You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. They have various models for different cartridges. [35], In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful. Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. SHTF 50: Safety Harbor's .50-Cal Upper Conversion for AR-15s Today, there are various types of bullet rounds manufactured that are measured in 50 calibers. Check TopScopesfor Barrett.50 Cal. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. It has the power to disable the engines of vehicles and penetrate concrete walls. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. Military use 50 caliber in machine guns and snipers, as well as regular shooters. I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! [34], A 1999 Justice Department Office of Special Investigations briefing on .50 caliber rifle crime identified several instances of the .50 BMG being involved in criminal activities. But, one can also survive the wound from a 50 BMG shot if it isnt fatal. AP (ARMOR PIERCING) M2 DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) contracted with Teledyne Scientific Company to develop the EXACTO program, including a .50-caliber guided bullet. Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot pounds (between 14 and 18 kilojoules), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the rifle it was fired from. The long range (over one mile) between firing position and target allows time for the sniper to avoid enemy retaliation by either changing positions repeatedly, or by safely retreating. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes daily! No extra bullets are sent. The range and terminal ballistics of the .338 LM were such that its use could fill several niches in civilian use including long range precision shooting and big game hunting. If the bullet passes through cleanly, remaining relatively intact, not all of the energy is transferred to the target. The 50 BMG rounds are quite impressive with BCs all above the .7 mark and one round coming in with a 1.05BC. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. If you check the Internet, it is very common to find 50 BMG Ball Ammo BC values in the 0.65 to 0.67 ranges. Due to the high ballistic coefficient of the bullet, the .50 BMG's trajectory also suffers less "drift" from cross-winds than smaller and lighter calibers, making the .50 BMG a good choice for high-powered sniper rifles. Stringent quality control ensures proper bullet seating, consistent charges and pressures, optimal velocity, consistent overall length and repeatable accuracy. Availability: Out of Stock. With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. Lake City 50 BMG Ballistic Data. Powder is matched carefully to each specific load for optimal pressure, velocity and consistent accuracy. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. Properties. I'm Mike, one of the oldest writer of Sniper Country! In some cases, it is used to detonate mounted guns or cannons. . As for powder charges, we used conservative numbers for each round based on the hand loading specifications from Nosler. In regards to their BC a spitzer bullet has a high coefficient and is suitable for long-range shots, and the boattail spitzer is even superior making it one of the best bullets for long-range targets exceeding 1,000 yards. On the other hand, 50 BMG is designed for machine gun operations, which belongs to 50 Cal. An upgraded variant of the M2 Browning HB machine gun used during World War II is still in use today. I VLD was designed from the start to be as efficient as possible, remaining supersonic past 2,150 yards. The .50 BMG was developed during World War I when looking for an effective anti-aircraft round. .50 BMG Ballistics Variables Bullet Weight: 661 grain Ballistic Coefficient: 0.62 (G1) Pull-out cloth belts were also used at one time, but have been obsolete since 1945. Most hunters also want enough stopping power to be able to make a clean and humane kill of the animal with causing unneeded suffering and risk losing it in the field. For the .50BMG, we would recommend the Hornady A-MAX Match 750gr round. However, bullets shot from pistols are slower as the gunpowder takes longer to burn. Caliber means the diameter of the bullet, so a 50 caliber bullet is half an inch in diameter. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. somehow. Both 50 BMG rounds leave the muzzle with over 13,000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy compared to about 4,700 ft-lbs for the 338. The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different cartridges. However, it is restricted in California. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting. .30/06 165-gr./.490 ballistic coefficient 5.56x45 mm 55 gr./.246 Ballistic coefficient Usually the higher the ballistic coefficient the greater the effective range of the round. The majority of these people are using the cartridge for long range hunting on large game such as elk, moose, and even dangerous game. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: We do know that the recoil energy is nearly double even with the 50BMG using a 30lb firearm compared to the 15lb for the 338. Of course, looking at averages might not be fair as there are .338 LM rounds that carry similar or even higher velocities than some 50BMG rounds. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. They are intended mainly for long-range shooting. Ballistic Coefficient - BC of 0.364 seems to be way low, standard BC for Ball Ammo should be in the 0.650-0.670 range. Hornady's original goal: "Ten bullets through one hole.". We went conservative with the powder weight because these are factory loads and are not normally loaded near max capacities. From a hunting perspective, the advertised ballistic data confirms that all three cartridges have both the necessary sectional density (SD) and initial muzzle energy for both medium and large game hunting applications. To be able to push such large bullets to speeds that make them useful is going to take a good deal of powder and both have the casings to hold it. We have hunted a long time and talked to a lot of our fellow outdoorsman. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient ( BC, Cb) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. Both of these cartridges are going to produce a tremendous amount of recoil. kilojoules). To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. Important: Since there are thousands of bullet shapes the Ballistic Coefficient calculations made below are not 100% accurate, if you are shooting out past 400-500+ yards your going to need to get the exact BC from the bullet's manufacturer. These ballistic coefficient values are said to be accurate to within about 5%. As the 50 BMG bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, it is used for powerful sniper rifles. [33], The specified maximum diameter of an unfired .50 BMG bullet is 0.510-inch (13.0mm); while this appears to be over the .50 inch (12.7mm) maximum allowed for non-sporting Title I firearms under the U.S. National Firearms Act, the barrel of a .50 BMG rifle is only .50 inch (12.7mm) across the rifling lands and slightly larger in the grooves. However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. In this cartridge comparison, we are going to take a look at two cartridges, the .338 Lapua and the .50 BMG, two rounds that separate the men from the boys. With extremely tight tolerances and strict quality control, all Hornady Match ammunition features superior lot-to-lot consistency. PMC X-Tac Match is developed around several award winning loads replicating performance down to a tee. Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. A very interesting and well written article by an educated man with a surprising background. 300 yds. Since the .50 BMG (23.00 23.33 g tungsten with muzzle velocity of 4,000 ft/s (1,219 m/s)) is very large it needs heavy weapons to support it. For hunting, a lot of hunters want expansion to cause a larger wound and more damage. It is when we move out from this marker that we begin to see a general trend between the 338 LM vs 50 BMG. As far as availability goes for the 50 BMG vs 338 Lapua Magnum, both are going to be harder to come by then smaller, more traditional hunting and target cartridges. To make it as accurate as possible, it is important that you input the most accurate information that represents shooting conditions, your firearm, and cartridge. Subscribe to our newsletter and get gun deals, educational content, hand's on reviews and news on law changes! 50 BMg bullets have a high ballistic coefficient of more than 1.0 to resist drifts from wind in flight. It has a thick casting of under 4 inches long with a primer end of 0.75-inch diameter. This is why their weapons are hard to find and limited in number. Those values would be correct if you were shooting the ammo out of a "military weapon system" at the upper end of the velocity spectrum in the 3,000 fps range. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. 50 BMG has a 12.7mm diameter and is also used in snipers and machine guns. The ballistic coefficient or measure of drag for the .50 BMG is 1.05 which, is higher than any other commercially available around. [15], A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is comparison of muzzle energies. All in all, 50 BMG is the best cartridge with great ballistic coefficient, diameter, and other features that expanded its use. 500 yds. So , lets get down to business. Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. [14], Some civilians use .50 caliber rifles for long-range target shooting: the US-based Fifty Caliber Shooters Association holds .50 BMG shooting matches. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient is used to measure the ability of something to withstand air resistance. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. Seriously, these are heavy duty rounds that fill a very specific niche in the shooting world. And like we said, if you need a large cartridge like both of these are, you probably already knew you were going to be dealing with recoil. The Federal Ballistics Calculator lets you quickly determine the trajectory for any rifle or handgun load, and save data for an unlimited number of loads. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. This is near impossible to handle accurately unless accessory gear is used to help absorb and stabilize the rifle. Put me on the Waiting List. 300 yds. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. (We'll get to the meaning of "G1" in a moment.) The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. If you're looking at doing match ammo, you could be paying $5/round just for the bullet, nevermind the powder, primer, brass and other components. The Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match bullet creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. Unsubscribe at any time. The 50 BMG rounds range from 72 to 87ft.lb of recoil energy. Its range and accuracy, however, are superior to light machine guns when fixed on tripods, and it has not been replaced as the standard caliber for Western vehicle-mounted machine guns (Soviet and CIS armored vehicles mount 12.7108mm NSVs, which have similar dimensions to .50 BMGs). We are not going to sit and mess around with the short range trajectory. If we have two bullets with the same weight, but different diameters, the smaller diameter localizes the force to a smaller area and gives you deeper penetration. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. With two rounds that are extremely popular in long distance shooting, accuracy is, of course, going to be a category that generated a lot of interest. The physics and theories behind the ballistic coefficient can get quite cluttered and complicated, though we highly recommend diving into the subject when you have the time. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. They can easily enter through light armors and hit targets. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. Putting it all Together A 290 grain 50 BMG is a relatively robust round. 50 caliber bullets can easily enter through a thick, concrete, or brick wall, a large tree, or even a person from a long distance. We are not huge advocates of its use in hunting, but if you have the desire to take it to the field, your biggest concern is how it flies, in which case check out the next section. I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment. No spam. It is strong enough to hold a large volume of pressure. It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. The bigger the ballistic . And even then, the options you have for 50BMG factory loads is extremely limited, even when compared to the .338 LM. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the more popular rounds for each cartridge. This will differ with various models. Re: 50 BMG goes subsonic at 1500 Yards? With that being said, we wouldnt recommend hunting the majority of game on planet Earth with a 50BMG; it seems pointless with the amount of damage it would cause to perfectly good meat. These are factory loads that are available for purchase. While these two cartridges might overlap in some shooting applications, we think there are niches where they stand apart as well. On the other hand, a 50 BMG is a type of 50 Caliber round. Were not going to go too specific with the comparisons here. Informative, interesting and well written. Again, these numbers can vary based on the variables, but with our consistency, we think the comparisons are more than valid. '"[5], The American Rifleman further explains that development was "[r]eputedly influenced by Germany's 13.2x92 mm SR (.53-cal.) Shots traveling 1,000 yards are much more prone to these environmental factors, and we would bet that 99% of them are very aware of the BC. The following improvements will be made: Please sign up for our newsletter so that you can be alerted the moment these new features are launched! We also hope that we have made clear that the BC is not a point for comparing which bullet is better or worse than others. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. 50 Cal 647 Grain Ball pulled bullets. Even so, computer generated data is a proven and safe means for comparing two cartridges as we will do here. The Army then returned to John Browning for the actual gun. Generally, the heavier the projectile the better the BC, so most .22 pellets will have a better BC than .177, and most .25 pellets better than .22 and so forth. A.50 Caliber is a large bullet round with a 12.7mm diameter. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. The fact is, both of these cartridges produce large amounts of recoil that can easily cause the shooter to flinch during a shot. Loaded specifically for precision big bore rifles, a wide variety of ammunition is available, including ball, tracer, armor-piercing, incendiary, and A-MAX rounds, with accuracy being priority number one. While it is only two factors that go into stopping power, they are the best for comparing two cartridges besides comparison in the field. However, Los Angeles banned this bullet round. Barnes Solid Bore Rider Bullets 50 BMG (510 Diameter) 750 Grain Spitzer Boat Tail Box of 20 Developed to reduce pressures and allow higher velocities, this bullet is constructed of a homogenous metal throughout with no lead core or jacket to separate on impact. I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. Different 50 caliber bullets are used for various purposes that have individual compositions. So, lets focus on the long range trajectory for these two cartridges. We will shortly look at the averages of these cartridges, but want to point out again that while some of the numbers might seem like drastic differences, and technically they are, its critical to observe the individual rounds, specifically the .338 LM. There are some options for bulk purchase which can save you some money in the long run. In the case of the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG, we still feel the same. In certain aspects and certain situations, sure, there are cartridges better suited to the task than others. There's a reason militaries worldwide still use a 50 BMG bolt-action rifle for sniping. The first 50 BMG ammunition was the 13.2mm TuF to attack against armored targets. This round is packaged in 150 CT Military Surplus ammo can. The round you choose for hunting should be based on the type of game, and this is perfect for the largest animals with the thickest hides. As far as the BCs go for these two cartridges, both show phenomenal numbers. The higher the number, the less drag the projectile will experience.
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