When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. Zero Range (yd) 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. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. In this section, we will take a look at bullet energy and penetration for comparing the 50 BMG vs 338 Lapua Magnum. 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. 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. 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. The M2 and M9 links, "pull-out" designs, are used in the Browning M2 and M3 machine guns. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. Today, there are various types of bullet rounds manufactured that are measured in 50 calibers. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. So, here is a table below: During the war, 50 calibers were used against light armor vehicles and aircraft due to their penetration power. 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. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. Cases are carefully selected based on strict criteria: wall thickness uniformity, internal capacity, case weight and consistent wall concentricity. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. 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 the .50BMG, we would recommend the Hornady A-MAX Match 750gr round. I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. [4] The Barrett M82 rifle was developed during the 1980s and, along with later variants, has upgraded the anti-materiel power of the military sniper. This large amount of force is very destructive to surrounding tissue and organs. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. 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. Beretta 3032 Tomcat [Review]: A Worthy Self-Defense Pistol? The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. 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. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. Were not going to go too specific with the comparisons here. . [17] However, some other countries produce the ammunition with Berdan primers that have two flash holes. 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. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. 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. Heavier bullets with the same diameter are going to penetrate deeper than lighter rounds with the same diameter. We think a flat trajectory also gives you a little more room for mistakes when it comes to judging distance quickly, as is sometimes the case when hunting. Stringent quality control ensures proper bullet seating, consistent charges and pressures, optimal velocity, consistent overall length and repeatable accuracy. 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. 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. . Firearm Setup. 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. No spam. Reply. It boasts a BC of 0.874, and some indicators point to a 0.900 BC at 2,900 fps. only today ! This bullet is 0.50 in diameter and typically 2.25-inch long. 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. For hunters, stopping power is a critical factor in choosing a certain cartridge. Can a human survive a 50 Cal shot?How many bodies can a .50 cal penetrate? New reloading data must be opened as a PDF document in an up-to-date compatible PDF viewer. 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) We have hunted a long time and talked to a lot of our fellow outdoorsman. Well, for 50 BMG, you're looking at $11-$16/round for military surplus ammo. And we know we have harped on this several times throughout the article, but we are going to talk regarding cartridge versus cartridge rather than round to round. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. heres what ive seen on a ballistic calculator Trajectory Input Data Manufacturer: Hornady Description: A-Max Caliber: 0.510 in Weight: 750.0 gr Ballistic Coefficient: 1.050 G1 Muzzle Velocity: 2700.0 ft/s Distance to Chronograph: 10.0 ft Sight Height: 1.50 in Sight Offset: 0.00 in They have barrel shrouds and a compensator to keep the gun in level. 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. Your email address will not be published. Any armor with composite metal foam is strong to stop a 50 cal bullet. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. 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 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. As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullets behavior such as expansion. We went conservative with the powder weight because these are factory loads and are not normally loaded near max capacities. It is made a standard bullet for important army forces. What is the best scope for a .50 BMG and what is the strongest 50 BMG? In addition, these snipers will have less drift from the winds of the bullet. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting.This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. Factory loads for civilian purchase are limited with most of the available rounds coming with bullet weights between 650 and 750gr. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. G1 projectiles are flat based bullets such as spritzer bullets, where G7 projectiles are going to cover boattail spitzers. However, sectional density, the relationship between . As you can imagine, the bigger the game, the more energy you are going to need to cause enough damage for a clean kill. KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? 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. Done (0.63 seconds). 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. 50 BMG Ballistic Coefficient. 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. Thread starter remrifle333; Start date Apr 23, 2011; Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. The .338 LM is no slouch when it comes to long range shooting. How important the ballistic coefficient is with shooters often depends on the distance of shots they are taking. Videos published by DARPA show the guided bullet diverting to strike a moving target.[26][27][28][29]. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. It can shoot up to ranges of 330 yards and floats in the air for about seven seconds, before dropping to the ground. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. As you notice, the .50 BMG has nearly double the recoil energy than the .338 LM. To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. Lets take it a step further and take a look at the rounds we have selected for comparison. The incredible energy of the 50BMG overshadows the .338 Lapua Magnum, which in its own right possesses a great deal of kinetic energy. G1 Ballistic Coefficient Must be between 0.001 and 1.0. And like the 50BMG rounds, we will revisit this shortly. 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. 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. Though they also carry quite a significant amount more powder and as we saw previously, you pay for it with the recoil. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. The majority of its use in these circles is through extreme distance shooting though there are small circles that utilize it for hunting purposes, mostly for large or dangerous game at extreme distances. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different 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. Granted, if youre firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. 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. 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. Muzzle Velocity - 2,952 is a screaming velocity, HSM AMAXs run around 2,680, and Barrett Ball is around 2,750. [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. Bullet velocity is a very important ingredient of successful long-range shooting. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes, daily! It has a thick casting of under 4 inches long with a primer end of 0.75-inch diameter. [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. 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. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. 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. somehow. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.799mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P. SHTF 50: Safety Harbor's .50-Cal Upper Conversion for AR-15s Sign up to receive new product announcements, special offers, and the annual product catalog. [4] A skilled sniper can effectively neutralize an infantry unit by eliminating several targets (soldiers or equipment) without revealing his precise location. As far as the BCs go for these two cartridges, both show phenomenal numbers. Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. Obviously, this would be an advantage for shooting round out at 1,000 yards or more. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. The caliber depends on the barrel diameter bore of the bullets guns. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. This ammunition usually contains Swedish brass and perfect military specifications. 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. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. The SD comes from the diameter of the bullet and the weight of the bullet. ", "How Will Illinois Law Banning Some Firearms Affect Gun Owners? Love Ammo? 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. 338 LM Federal MatchKing BTHP Gold Medal 250gr, 338 LM Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr. We are using computer data that was compiled from the manufacturers websites as well as from trusted ballistic calculators. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. It saw service with the military in both Afghanistan and Iraq and is still in use with military personnel today, but it has also found a loyal following among civilians. If you have any feedback or question about my articles, please submit it here, it's always appreciated! [11] Before that, a British sniper in Afghanistan held the record at 2,475 meters (2,707yd; 1.538mi) using a .338 Lapua Magnum (8.5870mm) rifle. Re: 50 BMG goes subsonic at 1500 Yards? More importantly, we are interested in how flat a bullet flies over a given distance. Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. Be aware you may consider some of them unusable. Similar to snipers, 50 BMG pistols are also made of hard materials to support the powerful cartridge. There are various types of weapons used for 50 caliber bullets. This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. 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. 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. You would be surprised how many of them have never given their rounds BC a thought. It has an aluminum color tip with a heavy build. 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. Heck, the BC of a bullet can change based on temperature, altitude, and pressure. Mathematically, it is the ratio of a bullet's sectional density to its coefficient of form. 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. [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. This is roughly the same as saying that the projectile in question possesses low drag, although some meaning is lost in the generalization. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. All in all, 50 BMG is the best cartridge with great ballistic coefficient, diameter, and other features that expanded its use. Looking at just the basic physics, a .50 bmg has a muzzle velocity of about 420 meters per second (1480 feet per second). We are not going to sit and mess around with the short range trajectory. [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. Fill, sign and download Ballistic Chart online on Handypdf.com [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." All of them but one .338 LM round break the .55 mark. The 7.62 is the "screw you way over there" round. This is the web home of Modern Ballistics: the world's most sophisticated small arms exterior ballistics program for the personal computer. Although 50 cal is a very penetrating bullet, research has found something to stop it. Check TopScopesfor Barrett.50 Cal. 300 yds. 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. These are excellent speeds for long range shooting, especially when shot from a rifle with the proper twist rate to stabilize them in flight. Some of them can also be semi auto-loading guns. Cartridge dimensions The 50 BMG 12.7 99 NATO cartridge has a capacity of 290 grains H2O (19 ml). Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the more popular rounds for each cartridge. 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. . Unsubscribe at any time. Again, these numbers can vary based on the variables, but with our consistency, we think the comparisons are more than valid. The 50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) is a large 50 caliber cartridge packing some serious long-range firepower in a 12.7 x 99mm NATO round. The TSX has gained worldwide recognition as one of the deadliest, most dependable bullets you can buy. It was developed for the M2 Browning machine gun over 110 years ago, and was based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. These are extremely large rounds that require heavy weapons as well as other equipment to shoot accurately. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! 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. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. Both of these cartridges are capable of accuracy at extreme distances, and both have enormous stopping power. Sight Height (in) Must be a number greater than 0. Aaronthal Weapon Systems We have done our best to remove any that have major damage, but individual opinions may vary on what . In the case of the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG, we still feel the same. It might not compete with some hand loaded cartridges, but you cant get much better when it comes to a factory load. While this is important to understand, its equally important to remember that the SD, while a good means for comparing two cartridges, only tells part of the story when it comes to penetration. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. Availability: Out of Stock. Another factor that goes into a cartridges stopping power is the penetration of the bullet. Velocity is key for proper penetration and expansion, which is critical for hunting. Get my premium 550+ pages handbook that compares all cartridges, for free (worth $199!) In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient is used to measure the ability of something to withstand air resistance. After four seconds, the bullet will have dropped around 256 feet. But, if you need the performance, its just something you have to deal with, especially if you dont reload. Its ballistic coefficient is 1.050. Mostly the twist rate of the rifling of 50 BMG is 1 in 15, with eight lands. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. These are used by both civilians and military forces for various purposes. Military Applications: Note: We have selected two different 50 BMG loads to demonstrate here. 200 yds. 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. 50 Caliber has different types of rounds, while 50 BMG is a particular one. and the speed of the bullet. Since 50 BMG bullets are powerful, they can enter through a body part with force. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. Bullet: 661 gr M33 Ball Bullet Weight: 661 gr Bullet Diameter: 0.510 Even so, its difficult to compare the accuracy of two cartridges by the means that we have. PMC X-Tac Match .50 BMG Ammunition 10 Rounds 740 Grain Solid Brass Projectile 2830fps 50XM. While it travels in the air, it causes a shockwave which is equally dangerous to make a severe wound. Get My Cartridge Comparison Handbook! They all can kill any game animal in the world. Informative, interesting and well written. 50 BMG was designed for anti-aircraft weapons during World War I. The gathered data regarding the projectile deceleration can be derived and expressed in several ways, such as ballistic coefficients (BC) or drag coefficients (C d). The cartridges have two separate links of the machine gun selected. 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. My problem is that the upper came with a 30 minute rail. You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. 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. . 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. 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? The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force (14,000 and 20,000J), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the weapon it is fired from. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. 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. 400 yds. Thank you. [citation needed], In June 2017, a McMillan Tac-50 was used by a sniper with Canada's Joint Task Force 2 to kill an Islamic State insurgent in Iraq, setting the new world record for the longest confirmed kill shot in military history at 3,540 meters (3,870yd; 2.20mi). It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. 50 Cal 647 Grain Ball pulled bullets. As we mentioned above, firing these rounds often requires heavy firearms and other pieces of gear that help negate this recoil. 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. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. Any round from this bullet produces between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force muzzle energies. We dont have a single set of data we can look at to determine stopping power. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. This justifies the strength of the snipers and their sturdy build for heavy operation. Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide], Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison. . Gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and news on law changes, every day! You might be strictly a hunter or strictly a competition shooter, but the majority of us are a mixture of both. The bottom line is this. 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. The bullet type and powder make the recoil force different between bullets. The higher the value, the better the bullet can travel through the air. It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. 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. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) contracted with Teledyne Scientific Company to develop the EXACTO program, including a .50-caliber guided bullet. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362.

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