And seeing the stopping power in action, we leave that to you. Us has made 50 BMG the standard as the largest bullet round in terms of shell size. Bullet velocity is a very important ingredient of successful long-range shooting. (We'll get to the meaning of "G1" in a moment.) Full Metal Jacket, with boat tail and cannelure. Because this is computer generated data and because each rifle has its own personality, the actual numbers that are going to come from firing one of these rounds from your rifle, the numbers shouldnt be too far off but we wanted to make it clear that these numbers are not set in stone. We will see more drastic differences between our selected rounds, and we cannot comment on the exact variables used for this result. The M2 and M9 links, "pull-out" designs, are used in the Browning M2 and M3 machine guns. 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. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. 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 . Dont let the comparison to the 50BMG throw off your judgment as to what this cartridge can do. I was also surprised with thebackground. 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. As the 50 BMG bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, it is used for powerful sniper rifles. for the the South African 690gn. ?Ballistic Coefficient: 1.070?Sectional Density: 0.412?Special attention should . 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 This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. 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. . 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. We will take a brief look at the origins and histories of these two cartridges and then jump into categories such as stopping power, trajectory, and even price among others. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: 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. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.799mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P. We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. But, one can also survive the wound from a 50 BMG shot if it isnt fatal. Even so, its difficult to compare the accuracy of two cartridges by the means that we have. Even so, computer generated data is a proven and safe means for comparing two cartridges as we will do here. Properties. Muzzle Velocity - 2,952 is a screaming velocity, HSM AMAXs run around 2,680, and Barrett Ball is around 2,750. For this article, we are going to explain the BC in the simplest of terms. This is why their weapons are hard to find and limited in number. 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. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. These bullets are magnetic. .510 diameter. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. And this is simplifying the topic since we are leaving out expansion, which is also going to play a role in penetration. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. . Since 50 BMG bullets are powerful, they can enter through a body part with force. So , lets get down to business. Lake City 50 BMG Ballistic Data. They wanted a heavy projectile at 2700 feet per second (f.p.s. 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. Muzzle 100 yds. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. And this is case when comparing most cartridges. 50 BMG was designed for anti-aircraft weapons during World War I. This is the best ballistic coefficient of any bullet to date. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. . In addition, these snipers will have less drift from the winds of the bullet. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. . About the previous point, a clean kill means you are not going to have to track a wounded animal sometimes a couple hundred yards and possibly in the dark and cold. Although 50 cal is a very penetrating bullet, research has found something to stop it. Looking at it another way, if one is off by 5%, they're probably all off the same amount, making our comparison valid. Retail Price: $478.50. The 50 BMG rounds are quite impressive with BCs all above the .7 mark and one round coming in with a 1.05BC. Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. Today, there are various types of bullet rounds manufactured that are measured in 50 calibers. The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. Before we get into our comparisons, there is one more note that we would like to make. Excellent quality, and great customer service from Dave Moore of Spider Firearms. Thank you. With two decades of chasing all manner of upland game, hooved mammals, strutting gobblers, and any small game that can fit in his Dutch oven, he hopes to offer new ideas and viewpoints on hunting and firearm concepts and traditions. Heck, the BC of a bullet can change based on temperature, altitude, and pressure. Both of these cartridges have found a place in the long range shooting. Videos published by DARPA show the guided bullet diverting to strike a moving target.[26][27][28][29]. The higher the velocity, the flatter the bullet will shoot, with less wind drift, more energy when it reaches the target, and an extended . As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullets behavior such as expansion. Unsubscribe at any time. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter and get gun deals, educational content, hand's on reviews and news on law changes! Velocity is key for proper penetration and expansion, which is critical for hunting. By doing this, perhaps we can tease apart in which situations one cartridge might be better suited over the other. It still has more penetrating power than lighter weapons such as general-purpose machine guns, though it is significantly heavier and more cumbersome to transport. 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. [citation needed], The .50 BMG round was used as a sniper round as early as the Korean War. 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. These ballistic coefficient values are said to be accurate to within about 5%. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. I'm Mike, one of the oldest writer of Sniper Country! AP (ARMOR PIERCING) M2 Still, by comparing the recoil energies, it will translate loosely into what you feel. I enjoyed reading it. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. This is the web home of Modern Ballistics: the world's most sophisticated small arms exterior ballistics program for the personal computer. 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. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. All in all, 50 BMG is the best cartridge with great ballistic coefficient, diameter, and other features that expanded its use. [38] Connecticut specifically bans the Barrett 82A1 .50 BMG rifle. 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. It runs on all modern Windows (Win98 and greater) computers. This bullet weighs much less even with the large size. And besides, were talking a .5 diameter wound size; you dont need a whole lot of expansion anyway if you want any meat left over. The .50 BMG is a bigger, heavier bullet that delivers a reliable killing shot up to an astounding range of about 3300 yards. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. Hornady's original goal: "Ten bullets through one hole.". Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. Seriously, these are heavy duty rounds that fill a very specific niche in the shooting world. 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. To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. What is the best scope for a .50 BMG and what is the strongest 50 BMG? 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. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. 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. Calculating Trajectories . The incredible energy of the 50BMG overshadows the .338 Lapua Magnum, which in its own right possesses a great deal of kinetic energy. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. A .50 in caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Even if we had all of the rounds and a couple days to generate some MOA measurements it still might differ on another day in someone elses hands. . On 14 April 2001, 19-year old Senior Airman Jennifer Donaldson, from the Illinois Air National Guard, made history. The email address you entered is not valid. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. The mass is one of the bullets. The biggest issue we have with the 50 BMG is the sheer weight of the rifle. This graph should give you a good idea about the major differences we are looking at here. While these two cartridges might overlap in some shooting applications, we think there are niches where they stand apart as well. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets.