As far as availability goes for the 50 BMG vs 338 Lapua Magnum, both are going to be harder to come by then smaller, more traditional hunting and target cartridges. The Barrett Mk. However, Los Angeles banned this bullet round. Modern Ballistics The .50 BMG is a bigger, heavier bullet that delivers a reliable killing shot up to an astounding range of about 3300 yards. My first deer at the age of 45 I joined the deer hunting fraternity a little late, but the desire to hunt has always been there. A bullet's BC is typically less than 1 and recorded to the thousandth decimal place (with notable exceptions; the 50 BMG's BC exceeds 1.000). Ballistic coefficient - formulasearchengine In our minds, there is no one cartridge that is above and beyond better than another. This includes the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory of the round. It has a diameter of .50 inches, with a casing length of 99 mm and an overall length of 138 mm. On the other hand, a 50 BMG is a type of 50 Caliber round. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. 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. At present, some US law enforcement use 50 BMG weapons, as well as snipers. 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. Try these all-copper . Lake City 50 BMG Ballistic Data. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. 300 yds. Where to Buy Ammo Online [Complete 2021 Guide], Best Gun Cleaning Kits [AR-15, Pistol & Universal], Best Shooting Gloves [Hands-On Tested, 2021 Update], Best Universal Red Dot Sights [Hands-on Review]. Federal Ammunition 50 BMG Ammo Details. 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. 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. Both 50 BMG rounds leave the muzzle with over 13,000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy compared to about 4,700 ft-lbs for the 338. Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. Load Data - Barnes Bullets As the 50 BMG bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, it is used for powerful sniper rifles. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. During World War II the .50 BMG was primarily used in the M2 Browning machine gun, in both its "light barrel" aircraft mount version and the "heavy barrel" (HB) version on ground vehicles, for anti-aircraft purposes. And seeing the stopping power in action, we leave that to you. 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. This weapon was used by other snipers, and eventually purpose-built sniper rifles were developed specifically for this round. Well discuss this topic more in the applications section. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. The energy is only part of the equation to stopping power, but it is an important one to examine nonetheless. Different 50 caliber bullets are used for various purposes that have individual compositions. 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. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG | The Hunting Gear Guy Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. All of them but one .338 LM round break the .55 mark. 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. [35], In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful. Ballistic Coefficient - CHUCKHAWKS.COM Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. 50 Caliber has different types of rounds, while 50 BMG is a particular one. They all can kill any game animal in the world. The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. External Ballistics - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc This is near impossible to handle accurately unless accessory gear is used to help absorb and stabilize the rifle. 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. It has a large cartridge used in anti-material for longer ranges. However, sectional density, the relationship between . The numbers with the 50BMG rounds are astounding, especially to some who might only be familiar with the more common hunting rounds. Cartridge dimensions The 50 BMG 12.7 99 NATO cartridge has a capacity of 290 grains H2O (19 ml). 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. I was also surprised with thebackground. 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. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. For the .338 LM, we recommend the Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr round. The .338 LM is no slouch when it comes to long range shooting. 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. 50 BMG Archive - Barrett Firearms In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. A 290 grain 50 BMG is a relatively robust round. Ballistic coefficient - Wikipedia Both are considered powerful and unique bullet rounds. The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. The Spitzer is a very popular and aerodynamic bullet shape. '"[5], The American Rifleman further explains that development was "[r]eputedly influenced by Germany's 13.2x92 mm SR (.53-cal.) [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. In certain aspects and certain situations, sure, there are cartridges better suited to the task than others. Fillable and printable Ballistic Chart 2023. 50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc Please let me know how it can be improved upon. Lake City 50 BMG Ammo Details. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. Maybe even more so when looking at these two rounds. Users can easily use them for personal use. . Federal Ammunition 50 BMG Ballistic Data. SHTF 50: Safety Harbor's .50-Cal Upper Conversion for AR-15s 50 BMG ammo is a large, round sniper bullet. This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. . Pull-out cloth belts were also used at one time, but have been obsolete since 1945. Bullet Battle: .338 LAPUA VS .50 BMG (Which Is Deadlier?) On the other hand, 50 BMG is one of the various types of 50 Cal. The minimum SD for hunting large game is .250. Again, these numbers can vary based on the variables, but with our consistency, we think the comparisons are more than valid. The 50 BMG rounds range from 72 to 87ft.lb of recoil energy. 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. On 14 April 2001, 19-year old Senior Airman Jennifer Donaldson, from the Illinois Air National Guard, made history. Caliber Multi: .50 BMG Application: Hunting . From over 4,000ft.lb of energy out of the muzzle to between 1,000 and 2,000ft.lb at 1,000 yards, it too has incredible range when it comes to having the energy needed for most game animals in the world. MARK WATNEY MEMORIAL CRATER : This is the 14.9x102mm SOP, a wildcat In some cases you might be surprised. 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. 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 It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition .338 Lapua vs .50 BMG: Are They Really Comparable? - Rangerexpert For testing your limits on the range, we dont think you can go wrong with the .338 LM Hornady ELD Match 285gr. 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. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. 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. What is the best scope for a .50 BMG and what is the strongest 50 BMG? 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! Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. 50 BMG Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Ammo for Sale by Federal - 100 Rounds The 50 BMG is the winner of this section..50 BMG vs .50 Beowulf: Stopping Power. Tactical Manufacturing, Inc. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. 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. 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. Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. 50 BMG (12.799) 647 Grain API Match Grade Ammunition This ammunition is manufactured in the USA by FedArm. 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. 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 ). 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. The majority of these people are using the cartridge for long range hunting on large game such as elk, moose, and even dangerous game. Gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and news on law changes, every day! Since a 50 cal bullet can slice through a body without protective armor, it can also kill someone. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. Some notable companies that produce 50 BMG sniper rifles include Barrett Firearms, Accuracy International, Arms Tech Ltd, Armalite, Bushmaster, Desert Tech, Serbu Firearms, etc. The TSX has gained worldwide recognition as one of the deadliest, most dependable bullets you can buy. a 50 caliber bullet weapon is considered violent. Brands like Smith & Wesson, Magnum Desert Eagle, Magnum Research, Guncrafter Industries, Ruger Super, Safety Harbour, etc create the best pistols for 50 BMG. Thread starter remrifle333; Start date Apr 23, 2011; Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. Effect? There are various types of weapons used for 50 caliber bullets. You might be strictly a hunter or strictly a competition shooter, but the majority of us are a mixture of both. Barrel Lengths & Velocities for the 50 BMG. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. . American Marksman: 50 BMG M33 BALL 660 GR FMJ - 150 AC More importantly, we are interested in how flat a bullet flies over a given distance. They have various models for different cartridges. [39] However, .50 BMG rifles registered prior to the enacted bans remain lawful to possess in California[37][40] and Connecticut. [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. . We carefully select every component to ensure uniformity, then load to exacting specifications to provide pinpoint accuracy. Military use 50 caliber in machine guns and snipers, as well as regular shooters. 50 BMG was designed for anti-aircraft weapons during World War I. The 338LM rounds under our specifications have recoil energies ranging between 29 and 33ft.lb. For further comparison, you'd be hard pressed to find a 5.56 load recipe that hits 1,400 ft-lbs. A.50 Caliber is a large bullet round with a 12.7mm diameter. The higher the value, the better the bullet can travel through the air. Put me on the Waiting List. The first 50 BMG ammunition was the 13.2mm TuF to attack against armored targets. A 50 cal bullet has the power to cut through a human body with ease. This is especially true if that bullet also has a high ballistic coefficient. If you do not have a Shooting Chronograph, I strongly suggest you purchase one. The bottom line is this. 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! 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. No spam. Teamed with Colt, he produced prototypes ready for testing and, ironically, completed them by Nov. 11, 1918the Great War's end. Availability: Out of Stock. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). Both of these cartridges have found a place in the long range shooting. To begin, these selected rounds all have excellent BCs that most would be more than happy with. Coming up on wounded animals, especially if they are predators, can be dangerous and being able to drop them cleanly takes this risk away. They are both quality handguns, but their makers have taken two very different approaches to the designs. It couldnt be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. I enjoyed reading it. The guns that use these bullets were used to target troops to save from enemy guns. Velocity is key for proper penetration and expansion, which is critical for hunting. Customer Reviews. Similar to snipers, 50 BMG pistols are also made of hard materials to support the powerful cartridge. On the other hand, talk to F-class competitive shooters, and the trend is the opposite. 50 BMG has a 12.7mm diameter and is also used in snipers and machine guns. trajectory of .50 bmg - AR15.COM While Glock is a master of simplicity and reliability, Walther has gone for a more elaborate design. . 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. Aaronthal Weapon Systems 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. So, it is evident that the bullet is dangerous and needs care while in use. 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. 50 Caliber - PMC Ammunition Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: Price Per Round: $2.90. 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 . While it is only two factors that go into stopping power, they are the best for comparing two cartridges besides comparison in the field. 50 Cal 647 Grain Ball pulled bullets. 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. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes, daily! 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. By doing this, perhaps we can tease apart in which situations one cartridge might be better suited over the other. It comes in different types like tracer, armor-piercing, usual ball, incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds. How To Calculate A Bullet's RPM - Banana Ballstics 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. 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. These ballistic coefficient values are said to be accurate to within about 5%. New reloading data must be opened as a PDF document in an up-to-date compatible PDF viewer. 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. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.572 Diameter: 0.51" Material: Copper Length: 1.892" Features. The surface is dirt and water-resistant. 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. And like the 50BMG rounds, we will revisit this shortly. 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG - Long Range Cartridge Comparison PMC X-Tac Match .50 BMG Ammunition 10 Rounds 740 Grain Solid Brass Projectile 2830fps 50XM. No spam. These include heavy stopping power that can be carried over incredible ranges. Like most cases, there are better performing rounds for each cartridge type, but on average, the 50 BMG rounds excel in this category, and that distinction becomes clearer the greater the distance. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. 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 The .30-06 Springfield, the standard caliber for American soldiers in both World Wars and a popular caliber amongst American hunters, can produce muzzle energies between 2,000 and 3,000 foot-pounds force (3,000 and 4,000J). So when game time comes make sure you are ready and enjoy the accuracy of Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition! Introducing the latest products from the worldwide leader in ammunition. So, here is a table below: During the war, 50 calibers were used against light armor vehicles and aircraft due to their penetration power. They can easily enter through light armors and hit targets. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. Within the United Kingdom, it is legal to own a bolt action .50 BMG rifle with a section 1 Firearms Certificate. With a degree in Microbiology and several years of doctoral work manipulating bacterial genes, he attempts to merge the rational and unbiased thinking of scientific research with the passions of hunting and fishing. PMC X-Tac Match combines all the performance of world class ballistics with a price point that is friendly for your wallet. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. As we have done in previous sections, we are going to look at our ten selected rounds. The SD comes from the diameter of the bullet and the weight of the bullet. A .50 in caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. If you check the Internet, it is very common to find 50 BMG Ball Ammo BC values in the 0.65 to 0.67 ranges. 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. [1]) is a .50in (12.7mm) caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Barnes Bullets TSX .50 BMG 647 gr BTHP Rifle Bullet, 20/box - 30700 Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. [14], Some civilians use .50 caliber rifles for long-range target shooting: the US-based Fifty Caliber Shooters Association holds .50 BMG shooting matches. A common way of comparing ammo power is checking their muzzle energies. Ballistics Calculator - Federal Premium Ammunition 50 caliber bullets can easily enter through a thick, concrete, or brick wall, a large tree, or even a person from a long distance. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. They have barrel shrouds and a compensator to keep the gun in level. for the the South African 690gn. 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. That all said, there are deals out there. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. FMBT bullets. Lake City: 50 Bmg M33 Ball 660 Gr Fmj - 150 Ac With its trajectory and energy and bullet design options there are no limits to the type of hunting you can do with it. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. ", "How Will Illinois Law Banning Some Firearms Affect Gun Owners? Typically, long range rifle bullets have a ballistic coefficient of 0.5 (G1) or above. According to the American Rifleman: "Actually, the Browning .50 originated in the Great War. 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. .50 BMG Archives - Ballistic Magazine Tag: .50 BMG GM6 Lynx: Testing the Semi-Auto, .50 BMG Anti-Material Bullpup Rifle The saying goes that 5.56 is the "screw you" round.