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. 400 yds. Thank you. The ballistic coefficient gives you an idea of how streamlined a bullet is. Can a 50 cal rip your arm off? Lets first take a look at the recoil energy (ft.lb) of these two rounds in general. As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullets behavior such as expansion. 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. This includes the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory of the round. G1 projectiles are flat based bullets such as spritzer bullets, where G7 projectiles are going to cover boattail spitzers. 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. Cartridge dimensions The 50 BMG 12.7 99 NATO cartridge has a capacity of 290 grains H2O (19 ml). 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. For assistance, contact customerservice@barnesbullets.com or by phone at 800-574-9200. Caliber means the diameter of the bullet, so a 50 caliber bullet is half an inch in diameter. When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. A sniper consists of the bipod, handle, brake, and removable magazine. [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. Both cartridges have the velocity needed for long range shooting though the 50BMG seems to show slightly higher velocities and this gap between the cartridges widens as the rounds move downrange. KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? .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) We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. Since 50 BMG bullets are powerful, they can enter through a body part with force. The higher the value, the better the bullet can travel through the air. Before we get into our comparisons, there is one more note that we would like to make. And this is case when comparing most cartridges. 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. The higher the velocity, the flatter the bullet will shoot, with less wind drift, more energy when it reaches the target, and an extended . I VLD was designed from the start to be as efficient as possible, remaining supersonic past 2,150 yards. Users can easily use them for personal use. You can find an email form and contact information here. Get My Cartridge Comparison Handbook! The ballistic coefficient or measure of drag for the .50 BMG is 1.05 which, is higher than any other commercially available around. In context of the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG where both are popular long distance rounds and to a smaller extent hunting rounds, velocity is a key component to our comparison. 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. . Sign up to receive new product announcements, special offers, and the annual product catalog. 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 primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). 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. For simply comparing two different cartridges, we are going to omit it for the sake of clarity. 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. The Hornady 750gr AMAX bullet has become popular with its very high ballistic coefficient and is typically the choice for extreme ranges beyond 1500 meters. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. ?Ballistic Coefficient: 1.070?Sectional Density: 0.412?Special attention should . Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. Besides military and police organizations, the .50 BMG has gained popularity in some civilian circles. For the .338 LM, we recommend the Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr round. The price for both is about equal per 20 rounds, though the 50BMG factory loads often come in boxes of ten rounds. How To Read Remington Nylon 66 Serial Number Year Codes? This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. 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. The email address you entered is not valid. The projectiles are high quality hand pulled 647 grain M8 API projectiles which have been cleaned, resized, and inspected before loading. 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. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. 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. Both of these cartridges are capable of accuracy at extreme distances, and both have enormous stopping power. With its trajectory and energy and bullet design options there are no limits to the type of hunting you can do with it. In certain aspects and certain situations, sure, there are cartridges better suited to the task than others. 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. 50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match Item #8270 | 10/Box We carefully select every component to ensure uniformity, then load to exacting specifications to provide pinpoint accuracy. A lot of competitions wouldnt allow a .50 caliber round, but if you just enjoy taking shots upwards and beyond 1,000 yards, the 50 BMG is hard to beat. 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. Apart from machine guns, snipers and anti-materiel rifles use this cartridge. Lake City 50 BMG Ammo Details. From a hunting perspective, the advertised ballistic data confirms that all three cartridges have both the necessary sectional density (SD) and initial muzzle energy for both medium and large game hunting applications. The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. 50 BMG ammo is a large, round sniper bullet. Think of it paired with the energy of the bullet. The SD comes from the diameter of the bullet and the weight of the bullet. 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. The cartridges have two separate links of the machine gun selected. Calculating Trajectories . [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. [4] A skilled sniper can effectively neutralize an infantry unit by eliminating several targets (soldiers or equipment) without revealing his precise location. [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. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. 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 . The max I have ever seen anyone run is around 3,000 and that is considered to be hot. Powder is matched carefully to each specific load for optimal pressure, velocity and consistent accuracy. [14], Some civilians use .50 caliber rifles for long-range target shooting: the US-based Fifty Caliber Shooters Association holds .50 BMG shooting matches. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG) was developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s as countries began producing armored vehicles leading up to WWI. 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. A .50 BMG round will penetrate most commercial brick walls and concrete cinder blocks. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. Even so, its difficult to compare the accuracy of two cartridges by the means that we have. Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. [42] Maryland imposes additional regulations on the sale and transfer of .50 BMG rifles and other "regulated firearms", and limits purchases of any firearm within this class to one per month, but does not impose registration requirements or any form of categorical ban.[37]. [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). . Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. However, sectional density, the relationship between . ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. The .50 BMG Flechette rifle project was contacted out by DARPA in 1960's. The projectile consisted of a saboted depleted uranium dart weighing 11.9 gram ( 183.6 grains ). 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. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. The .338 LM is no slouch when it comes to long range shooting. For testing your limits on the range, we dont think you can go wrong with the .338 LM Hornady ELD Match 285gr. With that, you have a better chance at running into .338 LM rounds than a box of 50 BMG. R. remrifle333 Member. 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. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. The Federal Ballistics Calculator lets you quickly determine the trajectory for any rifle or handgun load, and save data for an unlimited number of loads. G1 Ballistic Coefficient Must be between 0.001 and 1.0. .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 This justifies the strength of the snipers and their sturdy build for heavy operation. Some notable companies that produce 50 BMG sniper rifles include Barrett Firearms, Accuracy International, Arms Tech Ltd, Armalite, Bushmaster, Desert Tech, Serbu Firearms, etc. 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. So, it is evident that the bullet is dangerous and needs care while in use. A high number also means that the bullet will retain MORE velocity as it moves down range. Since a 50 cal bullet can slice through a body without protective armor, it can also kill someone. 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. . The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different cartridges. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. Hornady's original goal: "Ten bullets through one hole.". Find load data for your cartridge. You might be strictly a hunter or strictly a competition shooter, but the majority of us are a mixture of both. 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. Introducing the latest products from the worldwide leader in ammunition. It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. For two cartridges that are touted as extreme distance shooters, the ballistic coefficient is going to be an important factor for potential users. 300 yds. 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. In some cases you might be surprised. It is made a standard bullet for important army forces. As far as the BCs go for these two cartridges, both show phenomenal numbers. There are various types of weapons used for 50 caliber bullets. All data created using our free ballistic calculator. cartridge. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. On the other hand, 50 BMG is one of the various types of 50 Cal. This bullet weighs much less even with the large size. The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. Both are considered powerful and unique bullet rounds. This is useful to get a legalized firearm with licenses. They have barrel shrouds and a compensator to keep the gun in level. 338 LM Federal MatchKing BTHP Gold Medal 250gr, 338 LM Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. 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. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. DPMS LR-308 [Review]: The AR, Back to Basics. 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. Though they also carry quite a significant amount more powder and as we saw previously, you pay for it with the recoil. 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. .510 diameter. I'm Mike, one of the oldest writer of Sniper Country! The bullet type and powder make the recoil force different between bullets. 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 Re: 50 BMG goes subsonic at 1500 Yards? 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. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. 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. Under STANAG 4383, it is a standard service cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It comes in different types like tracer, armor-piercing, usual ball, incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds. 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. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. Muzzle Velocity - 2,952 is a screaming velocity, HSM AMAXs run around 2,680, and Barrett Ball is around 2,750. The firearm has been zeroed in at 200 yards. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. Various ammunition is also available to allow firing with lower quality bullets. While there are parties who will place one cartridge over the other, we are not looking to do that in our comparisons. But, one can also survive the wound from a 50 BMG shot if it isnt fatal. It is when we move out from this marker that we begin to see a general trend between the 338 LM vs 50 BMG. The energy is only part of the equation to stopping power, but it is an important one to examine nonetheless. The guns that use these bullets were used to target troops to save from enemy guns. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. 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. 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. 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. This gun was later developed into the M2HB Browning which with its .50 caliber armor-piercing cartridges went on to function as an anti-aircraft and anti-vehicular machine gun, capable of penetrating 0.9 inches (23mm) of face-hardened armor steel plate at 200 meters (220yd),[6] 1 inch (25mm) of rolled homogeneous armor at the same range,[7] and 0.75 inches (19mm) at 547 yards (500m).[8]. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. 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. For example, the G1 BC of a standard 5.5645 55gr FMJ roundusually falls at around 0.243. But those that dont assault weapons are accepted by all applicable federal laws and made legal everywhere. 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 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. Thank you. Gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and news on law changes, every day! This large amount of force is very destructive to surrounding tissue and organs. Full Metal Jacket, with boat tail and cannelure. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. 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. A .50 BMG round can effectively disable a vehicle when fired into the engine block. The velocity of a bullet is key for both hunting and range shooting purposes. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. . A 290 grain 50 BMG is a relatively robust round. It boasts a BC of 0.874, and some indicators point to a 0.900 BC at 2,900 fps. The time for a .50 calibre bullet to travel one mile at a constant speed of 1400feet per second is around four seconds. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! A bull moose needs a bullet that can hold together and penetrate deeper than a bullet that is going to be used for whitetail. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.572 Diameter: 0.51" Material: Copper Length: 1.892" Features. Effect? 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. No extra bullets are sent. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting. Usually, these can leave a severe wound. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15in (380mm), with eight lands and grooves. 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. 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. . Its a culmination of several factors including bullet energy, penetration, bullet expansion, and shot placement. 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. 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. For hunters, stopping power is a critical factor in choosing a certain cartridge. Putting it all Together Try these all-copper . 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. Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15 in (381 mm), with 8 lands and grooves. Military Requirement: due to the rounds being from Lake City Ammunition . The 7.62 is the "screw you way over there" round. 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. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. 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.