50 bmg ballistic coefficient

200 yds. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. They have various models for different cartridges. These bullets are magnetic. .50 BMG Archives - Ballistic Magazine Tag: .50 BMG GM6 Lynx: Testing the Semi-Auto, .50 BMG Anti-Material Bullpup Rifle The saying goes that 5.56 is the "screw you" round. Just from first glance, we see that the various rounds of each cartridge are pretty varied and a general trend for one cartridge over the other doesnt jump out right away. Like all Federal American Eagle ammunition, the 50 BMG provides reliable feeding and great ballistics. I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. 50 BMG basic cartridge dimensions-All sizes in inches (in). 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. It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. Its tough for us in this situation because the 50 BMG is such as unique round and it makes it seem as if the .338 LM falls short in most categories and this is not the case. Even so, its difficult to compare the accuracy of two cartridges by the means that we have. [43] Writing for the Marine Corps Gazette, Maj Hays Parks states that "No treaty language exists (either generally or specifically) to support a limitation on [the use of .50 BMG] against personnel, and its widespread, longstanding use in this role suggests that such antipersonnel employment is the customary practice of nations." 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. R. remrifle333 Member. On 14 April 2001, 19-year old Senior Airman Jennifer Donaldson, from the Illinois Air National Guard, made history. Bullet: 661 gr M33 Ball Bullet Weight: 661 gr Bullet Diameter: 0.510 Hornady's original goal: "Ten bullets through one hole.". 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. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. Try these all-copper . All in all, 50 BMG is the best cartridge with great ballistic coefficient, diameter, and other features that expanded its use. They have barrel shrouds and a compensator to keep the gun in level. A few of these include the bullet design (spitzer, boat tail, flat nose, etc.) The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. [citation needed], The .50 BMG round was used as a sniper round as early as the Korean War. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. The longest recorded kill using a .50 BMG was over 2 miles away. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. It might not compete with some hand loaded cartridges, but you cant get much better when it comes to a factory load. 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. 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. 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. After four seconds, the bullet will have dropped around 256 feet. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.799mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P. We hope that this article has highlighted these differences and provided you with a reliable source for making your own decision of which cartridge better fits your needs. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. (We'll get to the meaning of "G1" in a moment.) It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. 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. The average chamber pressure in this round as listed in TM43-0001-27,[18] the U.S. Army Ammunition Data SheetsSmall Caliber Ammunition, not including plastic practice, short cased spotter, or proof/test loads, is 54,923psi (378,680kPa). To do this, we have selected several rounds for each cartridge we are comparing. To measure the ballistic coefficient, we need the BC projectile that is equivalent to the ballistic coefficient in a point mass trajectory of below 20 degrees. Both are considered powerful and unique bullet rounds. Ballistic coefficient is typically measured with a 3 digit expression. The .30-06 Springfield, the standard caliber for American soldiers in both World Wars and a popular caliber amongst American hunters, can produce muzzle energies between 2,000 and 3,000 foot-pounds force (3,000 and 4,000J). Just for comparison of how intense the recoil energy is for these two cartridges, some common hunting rounds such as the .30-06 and .308 are generating recoil in the 20-26ft.lb range when using a 7lb rifle with the same conservative powder loads. The ability to hit distant targets is . Answers to Top Questions", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=.50_BMG&oldid=1139367557, Winchester Repeating Arms Co. and Frankford Arsenal, Serbu Firearms BFG-50a (magazine fed semi-automatic), Serbu Firearms RN-50 (single-shot modified break-action), This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 19:38. The cartridge itself has been made in many variants from armor piercing to tracer rounds, though most factory loads that can be accessed by civilians are the typical bullets. Looking at just the basic physics, a .50 bmg has a muzzle velocity of about 420 meters per second (1480 feet per second). We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. When this is the case, we will be sure to make it clear what we are doing. The surface is dirt and water-resistant. The bullet type and powder make the recoil force different between bullets. They all can kill any game animal in the world. It has the power to disable the engines of vehicles and penetrate concrete walls. The increased interest in the .338 LM in civilian circuits has resulted in more round options though still limited compared to other competition and hunting rounds. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. Subject to political controversy due to the great power of the cartridge (it is the most powerful commonly available cartridge not considered a destructive device under the National Firearms Act), it remains popular among long-range shooters for its accuracy and external ballistics. It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well. The Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match bullet creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. A .50 in caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Designed for long range training and target practice. The primary military use of this round is in the M2 Browning machine gun and anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett M82. When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. They are both quality handguns, but their makers have taken two very different approaches to the designs. For hunting, a lot of hunters want expansion to cause a larger wound and more damage. The rounds intended for machine guns are made into a continuous belt using metallic links. Weapons such as machine guns, rifles, and regular hand pistols are easily compatible with this bullet. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. The M2 and M9 links, "pull-out" designs, are used in the Browning M2 and M3 machine guns. Love Ammo? Caliber Multi: .50 BMG Application: Hunting . This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. 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. However, it is restricted in California. Thank you. Can a 50 cal rip your arm off? 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. The majority of these people are using the cartridge for long range hunting on large game such as elk, moose, and even dangerous game. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. In some cases you might be surprised. 50 Caliber ITEM NO: 50A BULLET TYPE: FMJ-BT WEIGHT: 660 grain BALLISTICS (barrel length: 36 inches) VELOCITY (feet per second) Muzzle: 3080 100 Yds: 2854 200 Yds: 2639 300 Yds: 2444 400 Yds: 2248 500 Yds: 2061 ENERGY (foot-pounds) Muzzle: 13688 BULLET PATH (inches) Muzzle: +1.50 100 Yds: +3.10 200 Yds: +3.90 300 Yds: +4.70 400 Yds: +2.80 500 Yds: 0 Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: But, one can also survive the wound from a 50 BMG shot if it isnt fatal. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. To begin, these selected rounds all have excellent BCs that most would be more than happy with. We are measuring the bullet drop (inches) from 100 out to 1,000 yards. The numbers with the 50BMG rounds are astounding, especially to some who might only be familiar with the more common hunting rounds. As you can imagine, the bigger the game, the more energy you are going to need to cause enough damage for a clean kill. .50 BMG Ballistics Variables Bullet Weight: 661 grain Ballistic Coefficient: 0.62 (G1) Scope Height: 3 inches Ambient Conditions Temperature: 59 Pressure (absolute): 29.92 inHg Cross Wind (90 or Full Value): 1 mph MODEL 82A1 .50 BMG (29 BARREL) MODEL 82A1CQ .50 BMG (20 BARREL) DOWNLOADS 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. The difference between the two rounds is as followed with the 50BMG showing a flatter trajectory. 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. The ballistic coefficient or measure of drag for the .50 BMG is 1.05 which, is higher than any other commercially available around. . That all said, there are deals out there. Lake City 50 BMG Ballistic Data. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. The higher the velocity, the flatter the bullet will shoot, with less wind drift, more energy when it reaches the target, and an extended . Now, in this section, we are not looking technically at the actual felt recoil but instead at the recoil energy(ft.lb) that is generated when firing these rounds. This e-mail address is already subscribed. A bullet's BC is typically less than 1 and recorded to the thousandth decimal place (with notable exceptions; the 50 BMG's BC exceeds 1.000). AP (ARMOR PIERCING) M2 We also see that all rounds for both cartridges leave the muzzle at more than 2,500fps and maintain supersonic speeds out to the 1,000-yard mark. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. Cartridge dimensions The 50 BMG 12.7 99 NATO cartridge has a capacity of 290 grains H2O (19 ml). The TSX has gained worldwide recognition as one of the deadliest, most dependable bullets you can buy. With that, you have a better chance at running into .338 LM rounds than a box of 50 BMG. Customer Reviews. 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. There's a reason militaries worldwide still use a 50 BMG bolt-action rifle for sniping. The time for a .50 calibre bullet to travel one mile at a constant speed of 1400feet per second is around four seconds. 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. No one knows who and why is producing these strange slugs in Tarkov, but they just work. Now I am curious about the comparison between the LM 338 and the 30-378 weathering magnum. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. 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. Well, for 50 BMG, you're looking at $11-$16/round for military surplus ammo. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. With the .338 Lapua Magnum vs .50 BMG, recoil takes on a bit more of an important role. On the other hand, 50 BMG is one of the various types of 50 Cal. The ballistic coefficient gives you an idea of how streamlined a bullet is. Mathematically, it is the ratio of a bullet's sectional density to its coefficient of form. 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. I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! The cartridge itself has been made in many variants: multiple generations of regular ball, tracer, armor-piercing (AP), incendiary, and saboted sub-caliber rounds. [12][13], In addition to long-range and anti-materiel, the U.S. military uses .50 BMG weapons to detonate unexploded ordnance from a safe distance. A sniper consists of the bipod, handle, brake, and removable magazine. As the 50 BMG bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, it is used for powerful sniper rifles. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. 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. Get my premium 550+ pages handbook that compares all cartridges, for free (worth $199!) The 50 BMG does have several rounds that break the .9 and even 1.0 mark, but the 338LM is nothing to scoff at either. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. While there are parties who will place one cartridge over the other, we are not looking to do that in our comparisons. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. For the 50BMG, we are not going to give a specific round. The Spitzer is a very popular and aerodynamic bullet shape. And this is simplifying the topic since we are leaving out expansion, which is also going to play a role in penetration. 400 yds. 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. They are intended mainly for long-range shooting. Any thoughts on where I can find an unbiased comparison? 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. Calculating Trajectories . However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. Access features of the Reloading Handbook on your mobile device with the Reloading App. [38] Connecticut specifically bans the Barrett 82A1 .50 BMG rifle. 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. Even so, computer generated data is a proven and safe means for comparing two cartridges as we will do here. Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. No spam. Thank you. Since a 50 cal bullet can slice through a body without protective armor, it can also kill someone. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. While Glock is a master of simplicity and reliability, Walther has gone for a more elaborate design. But it differs from other types of 50 caliber bullet rounds. While the muzzle energy of popular bullets such as 30-06 Springfield is less than 300-foot pound-force, the muzzle velocity of 50 BMG ranges between 10000 to 15000-foot pound-force. Both of these rounds are going to shoot flat at 300 yards, but the real reason is that if you are using these cartridges to take shots at that range, there is no helping you anyway. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! But thats the case with just about every round and is one of the many reasons that a lot of us have fallen in love with the sport. [14], Some civilians use .50 caliber rifles for long-range target shooting: the US-based Fifty Caliber Shooters Association holds .50 BMG shooting matches. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. We will bring this up several times throughout our discussion but keep in the back of your mind that your ultimate choice should consider all of these results together rather than focusing on one independent category. Ballistic Coefficient is essentially a measure of air drag. For further comparison, you'd be hard pressed to find a 5.56 load recipe that hits 1,400 ft-lbs. PMC X-Tac Match is developed around several award winning loads replicating performance down to a tee. 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. 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. What is ballistic coefficient (BC)? Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. It has an aluminum color tip with a heavy build. During operation or simply game shootings, it can make a significant wound in cases of accidents. We have done our best to remove any that have major damage, but individual opinions may vary on what . The standard projectile on which all Hornady Bullets were compared was the G1 Model, based on work begun in France and refined at the U. S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide], Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison. 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. [35], In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful. 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. Both of these cartridges are going to produce a tremendous amount of recoil. Smith and Wesson Serial Number Lookup: 7 Pre-Model Number Versions, Marlin Serial Number Lookup: Learn All About Factory Records, How to Install Zastava M70 Scope Mount: 4 Things You Should Know, 0.50-inch diameter and 5.5-inch long casing. The higher the value, the better the bullet can travel through the air. For assistance, contact customerservice@barnesbullets.com or by phone at 800-574-9200. 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. In our minds, there is no one cartridge that is above and beyond better than another. G1 projectiles are flat based bullets such as spritzer bullets, where G7 projectiles are going to cover boattail spitzers. I enjoyed reading it. Think of it paired with the energy of the bullet. [39] However, .50 BMG rifles registered prior to the enacted bans remain lawful to possess in California[37][40] and Connecticut. Inside the cartridge consists of a core made of manganese molybdenum steel, a point filler, and a seal of the lead-antimony base. It is when we move out from this marker that we begin to see a general trend between the 338 LM vs 50 BMG. They should show closer accuracy between each other however, because the form factor is constant. Your email address will not be published. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes daily! 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. A high number also means that the bullet will retain MORE velocity as it moves down range. 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. 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. The bottom line is this. 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. 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. Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. For testing your limits on the range, we dont think you can go wrong with the .338 LM Hornady ELD Match 285gr. [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. 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! [36][37] California prohibits the private purchase of a rifle capable of firing the .50 BMG through the .50 Caliber BMG Regulation Act of 2004. It has velocities that compete with the 50 BMG rounds, one of the flattest trajectories when compared to other .338 LM factory loads, and a ballistic coefficient of nearly .8. According to the American Rifleman: "Actually, the Browning .50 originated in the Great War. 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. Can a human survive a 50 Cal shot?How many bodies can a .50 cal penetrate? This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the more popular rounds for each cartridge. As you notice, the .50 BMG has nearly double the recoil energy than the .338 LM. This ammunition usually contains Swedish brass and perfect military specifications. It uses a boxer primer with a central ignition point. You can find an email form and contact information here. Apart from machine guns, snipers and anti-materiel rifles use this cartridge. Thread starter remrifle333; Start date Apr 23, 2011; Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. Putting it all Together The following ins a 500 yd 270 Win ballistic trajectory and drop chart that follows a 130gr Winchester Silvertip with a ballistic coeddicient of .337 from the time it exits the muzzle until it hits the 500 yard mark. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. Effect? 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. Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is basically a measure of how streamlined a bullet is; that is, how well it cuts through the air. 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. The Barrett Mk. The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 features a lightweight design and unique features that make it the perfect choice for anyone looking to take their shooting game to the next level. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. 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.[16]. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. The cartridge itself has been made in many variants from armor piercing to tracer rounds, though most factory loads that can be accessed by civilians are the typical bullets. There are two to three inches difference between the highest performing 50 BMG round and the highest 338 LM round.

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