Most people who are using a .50 BMG are not hunting and are looking at extreme distance shooting. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. A .50 BMG round will penetrate most commercial brick walls and concrete cinder blocks. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. FMBT bullets. While it is one of the more expensive rounds on our list, you are paying for incredible performance that comes close to matching hand loaded rounds from the experts. It can disable most unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. 2023 Optics Bible - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, 50 Cal Vs. 50 BMG : Which One To Choose [ Know Differences], 223 vs 3006: What to Choose After In-Depth Comparison. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. 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. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. Join 212,000 avid gun enthusiasts and claim your print-at-home shooting drills. KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. 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. It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. However, it is restricted in California. As we have done in previous sections, we are going to look at our ten selected rounds. Description. Us has made 50 BMG the standard as the largest bullet round in terms of shell size. Regardless, a round with a higher BC is going to maintain a higher BC than a second bullet since both would be effected in the same way. Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. With ME of over 1,200ft.lb and and ME of over 5,000ft.lb at 1,000yds, there are no restrictions on the type of game you can hunt. By doing this, perhaps we can tease apart in which situations one cartridge might be better suited over the other. Users can easily use them for personal use. On 14 April 2001, 19-year old Senior Airman Jennifer Donaldson, from the Illinois Air National Guard, made history. Calculating Trajectories . 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. The .50 BMG (12.799mm NATO) cartridge has a capacity of 290gr (19g). No spam. The 7.62 is the "screw you way over there" round. So, lets focus on the long range trajectory for these two cartridges. And if you need the performance of the 50BMG, you are probably already aware of what you are in for and with todays modern gear, you are perfectly capable of using this cartridge efficiently. My problem is that the upper came with a 30 minute rail. They are of premium build to make precise targets with less recoil. [32] Applications requesting firearms in this caliber are assessed by the same criteria as smaller calibers; with the applicant having to prove they have a valid reason for owning such a weapon. We have done our best to remove any that have major damage, but individual opinions may vary on what . 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. It is a bit much for medium size game at short ranges, but it would give you a huge advantage at long range if you believe that hunting ethical. It is used mainly in machine guns for various shooting and personal uses. Fill, sign and download Ballistic Chart online on Handypdf.com For the 50BMG, we are not going to give a specific round. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. 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. 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. 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 In our minds, there is no one cartridge that is above and beyond better than another. The .50 BMG is an impressive long-range cartridge, especially when paired with a high-quality bolt-action or semiautomatic rifle and a good optic. To test the power, we see that a .50 BMG cartridge can cross the .9 mark, with a flat projectile motion. Mostly the twist rate of the rifling of 50 BMG is 1 in 15, with eight lands. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. Get My Cartridge Comparison Handbook! 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. 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. Different snipers have different ranges depending on their design. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. The .50 BMG cartridge is also used in anti-materiel rifles. Its really the only way either of these rounds can be fired accurately. 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. And seeing the stopping power in action, we leave that to you. This Ballistic is so strong that it can literally obliterate the point it touches within its effective shooting range. Although 50 cal is a very penetrating bullet, research has found something to stop it. Ballistic coefficient is typically measured with a 3 digit expression. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. 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). 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. A .50 in caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Stringent quality control ensures proper bullet seating, consistent charges and pressures, optimal velocity, consistent overall length and repeatable accuracy. And like the 50BMG rounds, we will revisit this shortly. 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 of the cluster around the same amount of energy, but there is some variation. We have compiled the ballistic coefficients for all ten rounds and graphed them here. Our .50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. On the other hand, talk to F-class competitive shooters, and the trend is the opposite. How To Read Remington Nylon 66 Serial Number Year Codes? 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. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. In this section, we will take a look at bullet energy and penetration for comparing the 50 BMG vs 338 Lapua Magnum. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Copyright Hornady, Privacy Policy | CCPA Request | Accessibility Policy | Terms of Use, Designed and developed by IdeaBank Marketing. 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. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. It has a thick casting of under 4 inches long with a primer end of 0.75-inch diameter. . 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. Access features of the Reloading Handbook on your mobile device with the Reloading App. ", "How Will Illinois Law Banning Some Firearms Affect Gun Owners? This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. The max I have ever seen anyone run is around 3,000 and that is considered to be hot. The Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match bullet creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. 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. 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. However, bullets shot from pistols are slower as the gunpowder takes longer to burn. [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. This graph should give you a good idea about the major differences we are looking at here. Caliber Multi: .50 BMG Application: Hunting . Both of these cartridges are going to produce a tremendous amount of recoil. I was also surprised with thebackground. They should show closer accuracy between each other however, because the form factor is constant. 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). 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. Military use 50 caliber in machine guns and snipers, as well as regular shooters. We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. It has the power to disable the engines of vehicles and penetrate concrete walls. It answered a lot of my questions. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. To put this into perspective, the 750 gr A-MAX load has essentially the same kinetic energy at 1,500 yards as a 300 Winchester Magnum has at the muzzle. Though they also carry quite a significant amount more powder and as we saw previously, you pay for it with the recoil. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. The bigger the ballistic . Special Offer: Join our private community and get exclusive gun deals, handpicked gear recommendations and updates on law changes, every day! The caliber depends on the barrel diameter bore of the bullets guns. [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. . This is useful to get a legalized firearm with licenses. . Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. .50 BMG 100yd Drag Function: G1 Ballistic Coefficient: 1.050 Bullet Weight: 750 gr Initial Velocity: 2820 fps Sight Height : 1.5 in Shooting Angle: 0 Wind Speed: 0 mph Wind Angle: 90 Zero Range: 100 yd Chart Range: 200 yd Maximum Range: 10201 yd Step Size: 20 yd International Standard Atmosphere Altitude: Sea Level (0 ft) 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. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15in (380mm), with eight lands and grooves. 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. They are intended mainly for long-range shooting. 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. Again, these numbers can vary based on the variables, but with our consistency, we think the comparisons are more than valid. [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." This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the more popular rounds for each cartridge. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. Reply. And this is case when comparing most cartridges. [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. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. By understanding these different parameters, we can not only better adjust to specific shooting conditions and be aware of our limitations, but we can also begin to tease apart certain situations each of these cartridges might be better suited. 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. By sticking with this 120-year-old non-aerodynamic standard, bullet companies ensure their BCs will be as large as . The velocity of a bullet is key for both hunting and range shooting purposes. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. In addition, these snipers will have less drift from the winds of the bullet. 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. I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! Since the mid-1950s, some armored personnel carriers and utility vehicles have been made to withstand 12.7mm machine gun fire, restricting the destructive capability of the M2. That all said, there are deals out there. Thank you. We are not going to sit and mess around with the short range trajectory. The 338LM rounds under our specifications have recoil energies ranging between 29 and 33ft.lb. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. Basically, BC is a measure of how . The 50 BMG rounds are quite impressive with BCs all above the .7 mark and one round coming in with a 1.05BC. However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. 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 .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. The primary military use of this round is in the M2 Browning machine gun and anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett M82. Ballistics Coefficient (abbreviated "BC") is a bullet's ability to resist air friction and stay airborne. The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different cartridges. The bullet type and powder make the recoil force different between bullets. The TSX has gained worldwide recognition as one of the deadliest, most dependable bullets you can buy. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. PMC X-Tac Match combines all the performance of world class ballistics with a price point that is friendly for your wallet. It is when we move out from this marker that we begin to see a general trend between the 338 LM vs 50 BMG. Looking at it another way, if one is off by 5%, they're probably all off the same amount, making our comparison valid. Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting. Apart from machine guns, snipers and anti-materiel rifles use this cartridge. 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. With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. New reloading data must be opened as a PDF document in an up-to-date compatible PDF viewer. Effect? Some notable companies that produce 50 BMG sniper rifles include Barrett Firearms, Accuracy International, Arms Tech Ltd, Armalite, Bushmaster, Desert Tech, Serbu Firearms, etc. It has a sectional density around 0.44, a ballistic coefficient around 1.13, and it's carrying less than 15,000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. It boasts a BC of 0.874, and some indicators point to a 0.900 BC at 2,900 fps. This cartridge can easily take shots at 1,000+ yards just as the 50BMG, but there might be more dramatic adjustments needed to be made for these shots when compared to the 50 BMG. He wanted the round to be used in a machine gun, and wanted the machine gun to be based on a scaled-up version of the M1917 Browning. PMC X-Tac Match .50 BMG Ammunition 10 Rounds 740 Grain Solid Brass Projectile 2830fps 50XM. Full Metal Jacket, with boat tail and cannelure. 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. So there is a fine line a lot of hunters try to walk when it comes to penetration. The Bullet Has a Superb Ballistic Coefficient compared To Other 50 Caliber Bullets That Have separately Formed driving bands . This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. If you do not have a Shooting Chronograph, I strongly suggest you purchase one. Unsubscribe at any time. If we take a closer look at the averages of the round, we see that the 50BMG rounds carry from 200fps (Muzzle-700yds) to 300fps (800-1,000yds) more than the 338LM rounds, which is quite remarkable given how much heavier the 50BMG rounds. To gain more knowledge and quick learning, a comparison table is always the best form. 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. [4] A skilled sniper can effectively neutralize an infantry unit by eliminating several targets (soldiers or equipment) without revealing his precise location. This bullet weighs much less even with the large size. Informative, interesting and well written. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. Before we get into our comparisons, there is one more note that we would like to make. The .50 BMG cartridge is also produced commercially in a wide range of specifications, including armor piercing, tracing, and incendiary. They are easily portable to shoot at great ranges with destructive forces. Put me on the Waiting List. Military Applications: Note: We have selected two different 50 BMG loads to demonstrate here. 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! It has an aluminum color tip with a heavy build. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. The primer type specified for this ammunition is a boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). 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. Some of them can also be semi auto-loading guns. If you have any feedback or question about my articles, please submit it here, it's always appreciated! Heavier bullets with the same diameter are going to penetrate deeper than lighter rounds with the same diameter. Your email address will not be published. The bottom line is this. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. 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. 50 BMg bullets have a high ballistic coefficient of more than 1.0 to resist drifts from wind in flight. The BC of a round also plays a large role in the trajectory of a round, which we will look at next. Check TopScopesfor Barrett.50 Cal. This is because the bullet is very large, so the wound it makes is also large and deep, but still curable. Unsubscribe at any time. Were not going to go too specific with the comparisons here. A 50 caliber bullet is measured to be an inch. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. .510 diameter. It might not compete with some hand loaded cartridges, but you cant get much better when it comes to a factory load. There is a very small circle of people out there who have turned to the 50BMG for hunting purposes. Brands like Smith & Wesson, Magnum Desert Eagle, Magnum Research, Guncrafter Industries, Ruger Super, Safety Harbour, etc create the best pistols for 50 BMG. Customer Reviews. 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. Re: 50 BMG goes subsonic at 1500 Yards? Military Requirement: due to the rounds being from Lake City Ammunition . 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) The term BMG means Browning Machine Gun. 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. Typically, long range rifle bullets have a ballistic coefficient of 0.5 (G1) or above. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. 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. 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. While it travels in the air, it causes a shockwave which is equally dangerous to make a severe wound. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. No spam. The TSX was introduced in 2003 and has become Barnes' most popular hunting bullet. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. [citation needed], The .50 BMG round was used as a sniper round as early as the Korean War. This includes the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory of the round. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. 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 A very interesting and well written article by an educated man with a surprising background.

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