The .50 BMG is a bigger, heavier bullet that delivers a reliable killing shot up to an astounding range of about 3300 yards. 50 BMG Ammo Identification Chart | Survival Monkey Forums 50 Caliber has different types of rounds, while 50 BMG is a particular one. This is near impossible to handle accurately unless accessory gear is used to help absorb and stabilize the rifle. Need ballistic coefficient (BC) of American Eagle XM33 ball 660 grain 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. The time for a .50 calibre bullet to travel one mile at a constant speed of 1400feet per second is around four seconds. We suppose it all depends on the type of hunting you do, but if you plan on doing any spot and stalk, you better be in shape. 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. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG) - Sniper Central A wide variety of ammunition is available, and the availability of match grade ammunition has increased the usefulness of .50 caliber rifles by allowing more accurate fire than lower quality rounds. To begin, these selected rounds all have excellent BCs that most would be more than happy with. Thread starter remrifle333; Start date Apr 23, 2011; Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. Description: Lake City 50 BMG ammunition consists of Lake City brass, boxer-primers and 660 Grain projectiles. 50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match Item #8270 | 10/Box We carefully select every component to ensure uniformity, then load to exacting specifications to provide pinpoint accuracy. Military use 50 caliber in machine guns and snipers, as well as regular shooters. Think of it paired with the energy of the bullet. Heck, the BC of a bullet can change based on temperature, altitude, and pressure. Price Per Round: $2.90. [4], The development of the .50 BMG round is sometimes confused with the German 13.2mm TuF, which was developed by Germany for an anti-tank rifle to combat British tanks during WWI and against aircraft. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Copyright Hornady, Privacy Policy | CCPA Request | Accessibility Policy | Terms of Use, Designed and developed by IdeaBank Marketing. Ballistic coefficient and Related Topics - hyperleapsite Were not going to go too specific with the comparisons here. Encased in Barrett head-stamped brass, every cartridge is loaded with noncorrosive powder and primers as well as a 661 gr projectile using state-of-the-art machinery. They are easily portable to shoot at great ranges with destructive forces. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. Both of these cartridges have found a place in the long range shooting. This bullet is 0.50 in diameter and typically 2.25-inch long. The purpose of this cartridge was to was to provide snipers with a long range round that had incredible terminal ballistics and could penetrate several layers of body armor at extreme distances. ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. For two cartridges that are touted as extreme distance shooters, the ballistic coefficient is going to be an important factor for potential users. 400 yds. This is roughly the same as saying that the projectile in question possesses low drag, although some meaning is lost in the generalization. 50 BMG basic cartridge dimensions-All sizes in inches (in). [35], In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful. Usually, these can leave a severe wound. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. More importantly, we are interested in how flat a bullet flies over a given distance. The TSX was introduced in 2003 and has become Barnes' most popular hunting bullet. 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. There is a very small circle of people out there who have turned to the 50BMG for hunting purposes. Its a culmination of several factors including bullet energy, penetration, bullet expansion, and shot placement. 50 BMG has a 12.7mm diameter and is also used in snipers and machine guns. But, one can also survive the wound from a 50 BMG shot if it isnt fatal. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. Put me on the Waiting List. ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. Cartridge dimensions The 50 BMG 12.7 99 NATO cartridge has a capacity of 290 grains H2O (19 ml). Ballistic coefficient is typically measured with a 3 digit expression. Thank you. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. Rifles chambered for the .338 LM are a bit heavy to haul around the backcountry for most people, but it is much more manageable than a rifle chambered for a .50 BMG. The Spitzer is a very popular and aerodynamic bullet shape. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. Dont let the comparison to the 50BMG throw off your judgment as to what this cartridge can do. These bullets are magnetic. Unsubscribe at any time. Muzzle 100 yds. FMBT bullets. It possesses the ballistic performance to reach out to game at a distance and still carries the energy needed to aid in bringing down big game cleanly. 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 two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. 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 ). Gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and news on law changes, every day! ), but the ammunition did not exist. Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. The 50 BMG is another caliber with . 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. The Bullet Has a Superb Ballistic Coefficient compared To Other 50 Caliber Bullets That Have separately Formed driving bands . Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: Stringent quality control ensures proper bullet seating, consistent charges and pressures, optimal velocity, consistent overall length and repeatable accuracy. But those that dont assault weapons are accepted by all applicable federal laws and made legal everywhere. 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. G1 projectiles are flat based bullets such as spritzer bullets, where G7 projectiles are going to cover boattail spitzers. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15in (380mm), with eight lands and grooves. They do have some pull marks. Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. We have no desire to act as a moral compass, you do what you want, but the arguments are out there, and we wanted to address it. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) contracted with Teledyne Scientific Company to develop the EXACTO program, including a .50-caliber guided bullet. 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. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. 500 yds. This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. 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. Besides military and police organizations, the .50 BMG has gained popularity in some civilian circles. Machine guns use it as a continuous belt of rounds. Looking at just the basic physics, a .50 bmg has a muzzle velocity of about 420 meters per second (1480 feet per second). 50 BMG is one of the types of 50 caliber cartridges used for 50 BMG machine guns. kilojoules). G1 Ballistic Coefficient Must be between 0.001 and 1.0. This justifies the strength of the snipers and their sturdy build for heavy operation. We have done our best to remove any that have major damage, but individual opinions may vary on what . While the .50 BMG round is able to deliver accurate shot placement (if match grade ammunition is used) at ranges over 1,000-yard (910m), smaller caliber rifles produce better scores and tighter groups in 1,000-yard (910m) competitions. 750 Grain 50 BMG Barnes BT Bullets - Reloading Supplies at GunBroker They are of premium build to make precise targets with less recoil. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. 50 BMg bullets have a high ballistic coefficient of more than 1.0 to resist drifts from wind in flight. Love Ammo? I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! The higher the velocity, the flatter the bullet will shoot, with less wind drift, more energy when it reaches the target, and an extended . With extremely tight tolerances and strict quality control, all Hornady Match ammunition features superior lot-to-lot consistency. These rounds are listed below. The .50 BMG, the 30-06 and the 5.5645mm appear (to me) to be - Quora So, lets focus on the long range trajectory for these two cartridges. And seeing the stopping power in action, we leave that to you. With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. .50 BMG Flechette rifle - The Firearm Blog It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. Different 50 caliber bullets are used for various purposes that have individual compositions. A custom-made 12/70 slug shell with a shortened .50 BMG tracer bullet for 12 gauge shotguns. While it travels in the air, it causes a shockwave which is equally dangerous to make a severe wound. Ballistic Coefficient: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know As you notice, the .50 BMG has nearly double the recoil energy than the .338 LM. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting. ?Ballistic Coefficient: 1.070?Sectional Density: 0.412?Special attention should . . Well, for 50 BMG, you're looking at $11-$16/round for military surplus ammo. The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. 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! 50 Caliber - PMC Ammunition In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. Recoil is also a component to accuracy though most will deny it has any effect on them. No one knows who and why is producing these strange slugs in Tarkov, but they just work. .338 Lapua Mag vs .50 BMG - Cartridge Comparison - Sniper Country Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. A ballistic coefficient is a value that is assigned to a bullet type to signify how well it can cut through the air. With its trajectory and energy and bullet design options there are no limits to the type of hunting you can do with it. 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. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. An In-Depth Look at 50 BMG Ammo - BulkMunitions .50 BMG | Vietnam War | Fandom I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. I highly recommend him and his product. An upgraded variant of the M2 Browning HB machine gun used during World War II is still in use today. The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. 200 yds. In all aspects of the case proportions, the .50 BMG is much larger than the .338, which is a big round when compared to other popular hunting /shooting rounds. anti-tank rifle" and that then "Ordnance contracted with Winchester to design a .50-cal. This weapon was used by other snipers, and eventually purpose-built sniper rifles were developed specifically for this round. Calculating Trajectories . Doppler radar measurement results for a lathe turned monolithic solid .50 BMG very-low-drag bullet (Lost River J40 .510-773 grain monolithic solid bullet / twist rate 1:15 in) look . Sometimes, the wound may be fragile, but it may also get fatal. Thank you. Ballistic coefficients were originally defined by Ingals as a number indicating velocity erosion due to air drag for a given bullet compared to a standard projectile of the same shape- 1 inch in diameter and weighing 1 pound. Properties. Your email address will not be published. As we mentioned above, firing these rounds often requires heavy firearms and other pieces of gear that help negate this recoil. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. PMC X-Tac Match combines all the performance of world class ballistics with a price point that is friendly for your wallet. Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy; 647 gr (42 g) Speer: 3,044 ft/s (928 m/s) 13,310 ftlbf (18,050 J) 655 gr (42 g) ADI: 3,029 ft/s (923 m/s) Muzzle 100 yds. It is when we move out from this marker that we begin to see a general trend between the 338 LM vs 50 BMG. American interest in an armor-piercing cartridge was influenced by the marginal French 11 mm design, prompting U.S. Army Ordnance officers to consult Browning. This is useful to get a legalized firearm with licenses. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. We also want to note that while we are taking each category and looking at them independently, all of these categories are interwoven with each other, including recoil and stopping power that we will look at shortly. Parks theorizes that the misconception originated in historical doctrine discouraging the use of the M8C spotting riflean integral .50-caliber aiming aid for the M40 recoilless riflein the antipersonnel role. But it differs from other types of 50 caliber bullet rounds. It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. 12.799mm Technical data", "Technical Manual Small-Arms Ammunition, TM9-1990, U.S. War Department", "SHOT Show 2006 New Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols Offer Enhanced Performance", "Weaponry: .50 Caliber Rifle Crime," GAO Office of Special Investigations letter", "CHAPTER 943 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY", "Are .50 BMG rifles legal in California? A .50 BMG round will penetrate most commercial brick walls and concrete cinder blocks. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. Keep in mind this is an approximation and although it is quite accurate it should never replace first-hand experience of shooting your specific firearm and ammunition to determine the bullet drop and windage at different ranges and conditions. The mass is one of the bullets. Obviously, this would be an advantage for shooting round out at 1,000 yards or more. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment. (We'll get to the meaning of "G1" in a moment.) 50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc Coming up on wounded animals, especially if they are predators, can be dangerous and being able to drop them cleanly takes this risk away. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. Factory loads for civilian purchase are limited with most of the available rounds coming with bullet weights between 650 and 750gr. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. [15], A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is comparison of muzzle energies. As time goes, they are becoming more popular among shooters and hunters. So, here is a table below: During the war, 50 calibers were used against light armor vehicles and aircraft due to their penetration power. For example, the G1 BC of a standard 5.5645 55gr FMJ roundusually falls at around 0.243. Some notable companies that produce 50 BMG sniper rifles include Barrett Firearms, Accuracy International, Arms Tech Ltd, Armalite, Bushmaster, Desert Tech, Serbu Firearms, etc. The ballistic coefficient or measure of drag for the .50 BMG is 1.05 which, is higher than any other commercially available around. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. There is no doubt that the cartridge has the power and the trajectory to take on this challenge, but there is always the ethical question of taking shots at animals from these ranges. Both are considered powerful and unique bullet rounds. . Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. To do this, we have selected several rounds for each cartridge we are comparing. AP (ARMOR PIERCING) M2 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. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. These have the strength to destroy materials with a collection of ammunition. The proof/test pressure is listed as 65,000psi (450,000kPa). Joined Feb 9, 2010 Messages 6. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. It should already be clear that the difference just from the bullet diameter is quite dramatic. The email address you entered is not valid. And even then, the options you have for 50BMG factory loads is extremely limited, even when compared to the .338 LM. Designed for long range training and target practice. 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 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. Looking at it another way, if one is off by 5%, they're probably all off the same amount, making our comparison valid. We are working on a massive list, but this list won't be ready for a few weeks or months. This is why their weapons are hard to find and limited in number. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. It has a thick casting of under 4 inches long with a primer end of 0.75-inch diameter. What you might be looking for is how these rounds behave in flight, which is what we will look at next. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. [37][41] In Illinois, it is legal to possess a .50 caliber rifle only if it was acquired by January 10, 2023, and it is registered with the state police by January 1, 2024.