200 yds. In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. 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. Thank you. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting. A custom-made 12/70 slug shell with a shortened .50 BMG tracer bullet for 12 gauge shotguns. Zero Range (yd) In the case of the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG, we still feel the same. A high number also means that the bullet will retain MORE velocity as it moves down range. 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. 50 BMG ammo is a large, round sniper bullet. 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. The numbers with the 50BMG rounds are astounding, especially to some who might only be familiar with the more common hunting rounds. Done (0.63 seconds). At present, some US law enforcement use 50 BMG weapons, as well as snipers. 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. Looking at it another way, if one is off by 5%, they're probably all off the same amount, making our comparison valid. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. Ballistic Coefficient is essentially a measure of air drag. The first 50 BMG ammunition was the 13.2mm TuF to attack against armored targets. 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]. This will differ with various models. And like the 50BMG rounds, we will revisit this shortly. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. [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." 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. So, lets focus on the long range trajectory for these two cartridges. There are two to three inches difference between the highest performing 50 BMG round and the highest 338 LM round. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. The incredible energy of the 50BMG overshadows the .338 Lapua Magnum, which in its own right possesses a great deal of kinetic energy. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. A 290 grain 50 BMG is a relatively robust round. A user can shoot easily from a distance of about two kilometers. On the other hand, talk to F-class competitive shooters, and the trend is the opposite. Like all Federal American Eagle ammunition, the 50 BMG provides reliable feeding and great ballistics. 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. Most of the cluster around the same amount of energy, but there is some variation. 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. 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. Love Ammo? The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.799mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: 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 projectiles are high quality hand pulled 647 grain M8 API projectiles which have been cleaned, resized, and inspected before loading. These are excellent speeds for long range shooting, especially when shot from a rifle with the proper twist rate to stabilize them in flight. It can shoot up to ranges of 330 yards and floats in the air for about seven seconds, before dropping to the ground. 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. These are factory loads that are available for purchase. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. 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. 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. Still, by comparing the recoil energies, it will translate loosely into what you feel. 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. 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 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. However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. With its trajectory and energy and bullet design options there are no limits to the type of hunting you can do with it. We are working on a massive list, but this list won't be ready for a few weeks or months. Since a 50 cal bullet can slice through a body without protective armor, it can also kill someone. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. [17] However, some other countries produce the ammunition with Berdan primers that have two flash holes. . The Army then returned to John Browning for the actual gun. As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullets behavior such as expansion. 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. No one knows who and why is producing these strange slugs in Tarkov, but they just work. Hi! [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. The higher the number, the less drag the projectile will experience. They are of premium build to make precise targets with less recoil. From the bullet seating to the optimal charges and velocities, Hornady Match ammunition is designed to live up to company founder, J.W. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15in (380mm), with eight lands and grooves. 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 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 During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. 400 yds. However, it is restricted in California. But it differs from other types of 50 caliber bullet rounds. If you do not have a Shooting Chronograph, I strongly suggest you purchase one. 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. We have hunted a long time and talked to a lot of our fellow outdoorsman. [15], A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is comparison of muzzle energies. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. And even then, the options you have for 50BMG factory loads is extremely limited, even when compared to the .338 LM. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. By sticking with this 120-year-old non-aerodynamic standard, bullet companies ensure their BCs will be as large as . 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. Muzzle 100 yds. ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. There's a reason militaries worldwide still use a 50 BMG bolt-action rifle for sniping. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. [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]. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. 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 the Barrett 50 BMG bullet is 0.64. a 50 caliber bullet weapon is considered violent. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. We are using computer data that was compiled from the manufacturers websites as well as from trusted ballistic calculators. Since 50 BMG cartridges are unique, these have a limited number of sniper rifles built with adequate quality. cartridge. It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. For testing your limits on the range, we dont think you can go wrong with the .338 LM Hornady ELD Match 285gr. (We'll get to the meaning of "G1" in a moment.) 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). However, sectional density, the relationship between . FMBT bullets. The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. Still, with the categories we have examined so far, we can infer some information in a roundabout way when it comes to the potential accuracy between the 338 Lapua Mag versus 50 BMG. The .50 BMG (12.799mm NATO) cartridge has a capacity of 290gr (19g). 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. .510 diameter. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.62 Bullet Weight: 661 gr Initial Velocity: 2750 fps Sight Height : 3 in Shooting Angle: 0 Wind Speed: 0 mph Wind Angle: 0 Zero Range: 100 yd Chart Range: 2600 yd Maximum Range: 7169 yd Step Size: 50 yd International Standard Atmosphere Altitude: Sea Level (0 ft) Barometric Pressure: 29.92 Hg Temperature: 59 F Browning pondered the situation and, according to his son John, replied, 'Well, the cartridge sounds pretty good to start. Fillable and printable Ballistic Chart 2023. Hornady Match rifle ammunition is loaded with the most accurate, consistent match bullets in the world, featuring our AMP bullet jackets. A.50 Caliber is a large bullet round with a 12.7mm diameter. Lake City 50 BMG Ammo Details. Coming up on wounded animals, especially if they are predators, can be dangerous and being able to drop them cleanly takes this risk away. Out to 400 yards, there is little to no difference between the two cartridges. There are various types of weapons used for 50 caliber bullets. I agree with Michael. . [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. The primer type specified for this ammunition is a boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. Access features of the Reloading Handbook on your mobile device with the Reloading App. But, if you need the performance, its just something you have to deal with, especially if you dont reload. 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. Description. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. Similar to snipers, 50 BMG pistols are also made of hard materials to support the powerful cartridge. During operation or simply game shootings, it can make a significant wound in cases of accidents. A sniper consists of the bipod, handle, brake, and removable magazine. 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. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. Generally, the heavier the projectile the better the BC, so most .22 pellets will have a better BC than .177, and most .25 pellets better than .22 and so forth. 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. Spitzer. AP (ARMOR PIERCING) M2 Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. 200 yds. 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. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. What is ballistic coefficient (BC)? I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment. So , lets get down to business. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. So the damages can be huge, depending on the surface it will hit. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. [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. The SD comes from the diameter of the bullet and the weight of the bullet. Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. [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. You can find an email form and contact information here. The 338LM rounds under our specifications have recoil energies ranging between 29 and 33ft.lb. Bullet: 661 gr M33 Ball Bullet Weight: 661 gr Bullet Diameter: 0.510 Teamed with Colt, he produced prototypes ready for testing and, ironically, completed them by Nov. 11, 1918the Great War's end. The TSX was introduced in 2003 and has become Barnes' most popular hunting bullet. 50 Cal is generally known as the bore and the nominal bullet diameter. Machine guns use it as a continuous belt of rounds. To gain more knowledge and quick learning, a comparison table is always the best form. It boasts a BC of 0.874, and some indicators point to a 0.900 BC at 2,900 fps. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). While Glock is a master of simplicity and reliability, Walther has gone for a more elaborate design. Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well. With extremely tight tolerances and strict quality control, all Hornady Match ammunition features superior lot-to-lot consistency. According to the American Rifleman: "Actually, the Browning .50 originated in the Great War. 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 rounds intended for machine guns are made into a continuous belt using metallic links. Mostly the twist rate of the rifling of 50 BMG is 1 in 15, with eight lands. Other than armed forces, civilians use this bullet round for target shooting and sports. [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. Effect? R. remrifle333 Member. Get My Cartridge Comparison Handbook! Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. 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. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. This line of ammunition is 100% Lake City made. and the speed of the bullet. 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. The BC of a round also plays a large role in the trajectory of a round, which we will look at next. Heck, the BC of a bullet can change based on temperature, altitude, and pressure. 50 BMG has a 12.7mm diameter and is also used in snipers and machine guns. Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is basically a measure of how streamlined a bullet is; that is, how well it cuts through the air. 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. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. The .50 BMG cartridge is also used in anti-materiel rifles. This weapon was used by other snipers, and eventually purpose-built sniper rifles were developed specifically for this round. 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. 50 Cal 647 Grain Ball pulled bullets. Granted, if youre firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. Where there are variables, we try to keep them as uniform as possible, but for some cases, it only makes sense to change these variables based on the cartridges. Barrel Lengths & Velocities for the 50 BMG. Special Offer: Join our private community and get exclusive gun deals, handpicked gear recommendations and updates on law changes, every day! The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. Usually, these can leave a severe wound. You can find an email form and contact information here. After four seconds, the bullet will have dropped around 256 feet. Since 50 BMG cartridges are unique, these have a limited number of sniper rifles built with adequate quality. Heavier bullets with the same diameter are going to penetrate deeper than lighter rounds with the same diameter. The Bullet Has a Superb Ballistic Coefficient compared To Other 50 Caliber Bullets That Have separately Formed driving bands . These include heavy stopping power that can be carried over incredible ranges. .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) 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 . This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. [4] A skilled sniper can effectively neutralize an infantry unit by eliminating several targets (soldiers or equipment) without revealing his precise location. Thread starter remrifle333; Start date Apr 23, 2011; Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. It uses a boxer primer with a central ignition point. Typically, long range rifle bullets have a ballistic coefficient of 0.5 (G1) or above. The minimum SD for hunting large game is .250. 300 yds. Can a human survive a 50 Cal shot?How many bodies can a .50 cal penetrate? In regards to ballistics, the .50 BMG has a bigger, heavier bullet that delivers a reliable killing shot at ranges up to 3300 yards and take down medium-sized game at these incredible ranges.. 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.[16]. for the the South African 690gn. Looking at just the basic physics, a .50 bmg has a muzzle velocity of about 420 meters per second (1480 feet per second). 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. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. In this Article: RecoilBallisticsTrajectoryStopping PowerAccuracyPrice & AvailabilityPriceApplicationsBest Rounds In this cartridge comparison, we are going to take a look at the 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Winchester. 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. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. Introducing the latest products from the worldwide leader in ammunition. If you're looking at doing match ammo, you could be paying $5/round just for the bullet, nevermind the powder, primer, brass and other components. For hunting, a lot of hunters want expansion to cause a larger wound and more damage. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. The caliber depends on the barrel diameter bore of the bullets guns. Gain a deep knowledge of ballistic science and access our improved ballistic calculator. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Copyright Hornady, Privacy Policy | CCPA Request | Accessibility Policy | Terms of Use, Designed and developed by IdeaBank Marketing. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. 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. 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. A very interesting and well written article by an educated man with a surprising background. The Spitzer is a very popular and aerodynamic bullet shape. The round is a scaled-up version of the .30-06 Springfield but uses a case wall with a long taper to facilitate feeding and extraction in various weapons. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. The bullet length, shape, and weight all positively contribute to a much higher BC than the 50 Beowulf bullet. This graph should give you a good idea about the major differences we are looking at here. Subscribe to our newsletter and get gun deals, educational content, hand's on reviews and news on law changes! The fact is, both of these cartridges produce large amounts of recoil that can easily cause the shooter to flinch during a shot. Weapons such as machine guns, rifles, and regular hand pistols are easily compatible with this bullet. This is useful to get a legalized firearm with licenses. When this is the case, we will be sure to make it clear what we are doing. These ballistic coefficient values are said to be accurate to within about 5%. . The longest recorded kill using a .50 BMG was over 2 miles away. 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. The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different cartridges. As for powder charges, we used conservative numbers for each round based on the hand loading specifications from Nosler. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. Since 50 BMG bullets are powerful, they can enter through a body part with force. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. They do have some pull marks. Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. Military Applications: Note: We have selected two different 50 BMG loads to demonstrate here. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. A .50 BMG round will penetrate most commercial brick walls and concrete cinder blocks. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. Factory loads for civilian purchase are limited with most of the available rounds coming with bullet weights between 650 and 750gr. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. The increased interest in the .338 LM in civilian circuits has resulted in more round options though still limited compared to other competition and hunting rounds. In some cases you might be surprised. The 50 caliber is a 5.5-inch length seated bullet. 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. A high number means the bullet is more efficient at resisting air friction (negative acceleration). Different snipers have different ranges depending on their design. Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. 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 ). .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.