Subscribe to our newsletter and get gun deals, educational content, hand's on reviews and news on law changes! 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. Videos published by DARPA show the guided bullet diverting to strike a moving target.[26][27][28][29]. 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. A user can shoot easily from a distance of about two kilometers. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! It can shoot up to ranges of 330 yards and floats in the air for about seven seconds, before dropping to the ground. Federal Ammunition 50 BMG Ammo Details. The primary military use of this round is in the M2 Browning machine gun and anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett M82. 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. Caliber Multi: .50 BMG Application: Hunting . The surface is dirt and water-resistant. Putting it all Together [33], The specified maximum diameter of an unfired .50 BMG bullet is 0.510-inch (13.0mm); while this appears to be over the .50 inch (12.7mm) maximum allowed for non-sporting Title I firearms under the U.S. National Firearms Act, the barrel of a .50 BMG rifle is only .50 inch (12.7mm) across the rifling lands and slightly larger in the grooves. Love Ammo? KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? 50 BMG Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Ammo for Sale by Federal - 100 Rounds The .338 LM is no slouch when it comes to long range shooting. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. If we take a closer look at the averages of the round, we see that the 50BMG rounds carry from 200fps (Muzzle-700yds) to 300fps (800-1,000yds) more than the 338LM rounds, which is quite remarkable given how much heavier the 50BMG rounds. Description: Lake City 50 BMG ammunition consists of Lake City brass, boxer-primers and 660 Grain projectiles. 50 BMG Archive - Barrett Firearms 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. However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. Tactical Manufacturing, Inc. 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. What is the best scope for a .50 BMG and what is the strongest 50 BMG? We also know that this bullet can enter very tough materials easily. As the 50 BMG bullet has a high ballistic coefficient, it is used for powerful sniper rifles. A wide variety of ammunition is available, and the availability of match grade ammunition has increased the usefulness of .50 caliber rifles by allowing more accurate fire than lower quality rounds. The 50 BMG is the winner of this section..50 BMG vs .50 Beowulf: Stopping Power. Coming up on wounded animals, especially if they are predators, can be dangerous and being able to drop them cleanly takes this risk away. Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. [35], In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful. Different snipers have different ranges depending on their design. External Ballistics Summary | Close Focus Research - Ballistic Testing DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) contracted with Teledyne Scientific Company to develop the EXACTO program, including a .50-caliber guided bullet. Barnes Solid Bore Rider Bullets 50 BMG (510 Diameter) 750 Grain Spitzer Boat Tail Box of 20 Developed to reduce pressures and allow higher velocities, this bullet is constructed of a homogenous metal throughout with no lead core or jacket to separate on impact. On the other hand, talk to F-class competitive shooters, and the trend is the opposite. Still, by comparing the recoil energies, it will translate loosely into what you feel. Informative, interesting and well written. 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. The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. We are working on a massive list, but this list won't be ready for a few weeks or months. To begin, these selected rounds all have excellent BCs that most would be more than happy with. This is useful to get a legalized firearm with licenses. Barrel Lengths & Velocities for the 50 BMG. A.50 Caliber is a large bullet round with a 12.7mm diameter. I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! A ballistic coefficient is a value that is assigned to a bullet type to signify how well it can cut through the air. There are several variants of this 50 caliber round. Caliber means the diameter of the bullet, so a 50 caliber bullet is half an inch in diameter. Still, some might be unfamiliar, so we want to touch on what exactly a ballistic coefficient is before we move on to the comparison. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. PDF .50 BMG - Ammunition Store Ballistic Coefficient is essentially a measure of air drag. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. There is a very small circle of people out there who have turned to the 50BMG for hunting purposes. Besides military and police organizations, the .50 BMG has gained popularity in some civilian circles. The 50 caliber is a 5.5-inch length seated bullet. For testing your limits on the range, we dont think you can go wrong with the .338 LM Hornady ELD Match 285gr. 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. 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. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. The 408 CheyTac is a relatively new rifle caliber for sharpshooters. 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 hunting, a lot of hunters want expansion to cause a larger wound and more damage. So when game time comes make sure you are ready and enjoy the accuracy of Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition! 300 yds. 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. Barnes Bullets TSX .50 BMG 647 gr BTHP Rifle Bullet, 20/box - 30700 Ballistic coefficient - Wikipedia It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. A 50 cal bullet has the power to cut through a human body with ease. The .50 BMG is a bigger, heavier bullet that delivers a reliable killing shot up to an astounding range of about 3300 yards. All in all, 50 BMG is the best cartridge with great ballistic coefficient, diameter, and other features that expanded its use. What Does 50 BMG Stand For? A Brief Explanation - Optics Bible Ballistic Coefficient: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know For two cartridges that are touted as extreme distance shooters, the ballistic coefficient is going to be an important factor for potential users. These are factory loads that are available for purchase. All data created using our free ballistic calculator. What is Ballistic Coefficient? | AmmoForSale.com Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. The primer type specified for this ammunition is a boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). [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 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. Best Sniper Ammo To Make Every Shot Count (Long Range Shooting) In some cases, it is used to detonate mounted guns or cannons. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. [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. [1] It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration: a high number indicates a low negative accelerationthe drag on the body is small in proportion to its mass. 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. 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. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. . The cartridge itself has been made in many variants: multiple generations of regular ball, tracer, armor-piercing (AP), incendiary, and saboted sub-caliber rounds. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. Before we wrap up the article, we wanted to pick a round from each cartridge that we really like for certain applications. 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]. It was developed for the M2 Browning machine gun over 110 years ago, and was based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. For the 50BMG, we are not going to give a specific round. Specs. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. External Ballistics - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc only today ! A high number means the bullet is more efficient at resisting air friction (negative acceleration). 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. The proof/test pressure is listed as 65,000psi (450,000kPa). Price Per Round: $2.90. G1 Ballistic Coefficient Must be between 0.001 and 1.0. 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. It is still a good idea to check legality before making a purchase. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes daily! The rounds intended for machine guns are made into a continuous belt using metallic links. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. . [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. The Bullet Has a Superb Ballistic Coefficient compared To Other 50 Caliber Bullets That Have separately Formed driving bands . [3], In response to the need for new anti-aircraft weaponry during World War I, John Browning developed the .50 BMG. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. Ballistics Coefficient (abbreviated "BC") is a bullet's ability to resist air friction and stay airborne. .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) 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. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. For the .338 LM, we recommend the Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr round. A .50 BMG round can effectively disable a vehicle when fired into the engine block. Heck, the BC of a bullet can change based on temperature, altitude, and pressure. When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. [38] Connecticut specifically bans the Barrett 82A1 .50 BMG rifle. The cartridges have two separate links of the machine gun selected. Its really the only way either of these rounds can be fired accurately. Most people who are using a .50 BMG are not hunting and are looking at extreme distance shooting. .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 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. 2023 Ballistic Chart - Fillable, Printable PDF & Forms | Handypdf 500 yds. 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. The.50 BMG is quite legal for buying without the need for a special license or process. These are excellent speeds for long range shooting, especially when shot from a rifle with the proper twist rate to stabilize them in flight. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. An upgraded variant of the M2 Browning HB machine gun used during World War II is still in use today. Most hunters also want enough stopping power to be able to make a clean and humane kill of the animal with causing unneeded suffering and risk losing it in the field. . [4] A skilled sniper can effectively neutralize an infantry unit by eliminating several targets (soldiers or equipment) without revealing his precise location. 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. With that, you have a better chance at running into .338 LM rounds than a box of 50 BMG. Ammunition is sold in 80-round cases. Customer Reviews. A sniper consists of the bipod, handle, brake, and removable magazine. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. For further comparison, you'd be hard pressed to find a 5.56 load recipe that hits 1,400 ft-lbs. .30/06 165-gr./.490 ballistic coefficient 5.56x45 mm 55 gr./.246 Ballistic coefficient Usually the higher the ballistic coefficient the greater the effective range of the round. Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. We are measuring the bullet drop (inches) from 100 out to 1,000 yards. 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. This is the Ferret .50; a top-end attachment to an AR15 lower. And this is simplifying the topic since we are leaving out expansion, which is also going to play a role in penetration. It has a .30-06 Springfield design with a long taper case wall for various types of weapons. Ballistic Coefficient - CHUCKHAWKS.COM '"[5], The American Rifleman further explains that development was "[r]eputedly influenced by Germany's 13.2x92 mm SR (.53-cal.) Lake City 50 BMG Ballistic Data. How To Read Remington Nylon 66 Serial Number Year Codes? Cases are carefully selected based on strict criteria: wall thickness uniformity, internal capacity, case weight and consistent wall concentricity. We suppose it all depends on the type of hunting you do, but if you plan on doing any spot and stalk, you better be in shape. The .50 BMG (12.799mm NATO) cartridge has a capacity of 290gr (19g). Be aware you may consider some of them unusable. Ballistic Coefficient Calculator GunData.org Barrel Lengths & Velocities for the 50 BMG - Lilja : Lilja 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. Recoil is also a component to accuracy though most will deny it has any effect on them. Thank you. . It has a sectional density around 0.44, a ballistic coefficient around 1.13, and it's carrying less than 15,000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. 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. Instead, we want to take an unbiased look at the data in several ballistic and other performance category and compare them. Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. The higher the value, the better the bullet can travel through the air. According to the American Rifleman: "Actually, the Browning .50 originated in the Great War. [17] However, some other countries produce the ammunition with Berdan primers that have two flash holes. They have various models for different cartridges. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the more popular rounds for each cartridge. Availability: Out of Stock. 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. These rounds are listed below. Citadel 1911 Review: Best Budget-Friendly Pistol? Joined Feb 9, 2010 Messages 6. . document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Copyright Hornady, Privacy Policy | CCPA Request | Accessibility Policy | Terms of Use, Designed and developed by IdeaBank Marketing. You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. Today, there are various types of bullet rounds manufactured that are measured in 50 calibers. Dont let the comparison to the 50BMG throw off your judgment as to what this cartridge can do. At present, some US law enforcement use 50 BMG weapons, as well as snipers. Load Data - Barnes Bullets 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. Calculating Trajectories . Both of these cartridges are going to produce a tremendous amount of recoil. It comes in different types like tracer, armor-piercing, usual ball, incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds. So there is a fine line a lot of hunters try to walk when it comes to penetration. 50 BMG Ballistic Coefficient | Long Range Hunting Forum 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! Check TopScopesfor Barrett.50 Cal. I highly recommend him and his product. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. 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. Some notable companies that produce 50 BMG sniper rifles include Barrett Firearms, Accuracy International, Arms Tech Ltd, Armalite, Bushmaster, Desert Tech, Serbu Firearms, etc. Aaronthal Weapon Systems The biggest issue we have with the 50 BMG is the sheer weight of the rifle. The velocity of a bullet is key for both hunting and range shooting purposes. 50 BMG Ballistic Coefficient. In addition to the usual tables and graphs of drop, velocity, and windage, Modern Ballistics has these unique features: Sight Angle. If you have any feedback or question about my articles, please submit it here, it's always appreciated! 300 yds. If you do not have a Shooting Chronograph, I strongly suggest you purchase one. By doing this, perhaps we can tease apart in which situations one cartridge might be better suited over the other. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting. Ballistic coefficient and Related Topics - hyperleapsite This large amount of force is very destructive to surrounding tissue and organs. It is a scaled up version of the venerable .30-06 (standard issue in infantry rifles for the U.S. in both World Wars). 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. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. Firearm Setup. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. As time goes, they are becoming more popular among shooters and hunters. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. Now I am curious about the comparison between the LM 338 and the 30-378 weathering magnum. Although 50 cal is a very penetrating bullet, research has found something to stop it. Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: . The 50 BMG rounds range from 72 to 87ft.lb of recoil energy. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. 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. 50 caliber bullets can easily enter through a thick, concrete, or brick wall, a large tree, or even a person from a long distance. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. In some cases you might be surprised. The Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match bullet creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. Your Savings: $43.50 (9%) 50 BMG M33 Ball Military Grade ammunition with a 660 Grain FMJ Bullet & Brass Case. Modern Ballistics Ballistic coefficient is typically measured with a 3 digit expression. Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide], Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison. 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. They are of premium build to make precise targets with less recoil. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. This round is packaged in 150 CT Military Surplus ammo can. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. Reply. It is made a standard bullet for important army forces. Some big, heavy, and efficient bullets like the .50 BMG can have a ballistic coefficient greater than one, but that topic is for another day. The caliber depends on the barrel diameter bore of the bullets guns. Some of them can also be semi auto-loading guns. The ballistic coefficient or measure of drag for the .50 BMG is 1.05 which, is higher than any other commercially available around. Need ballistic coefficient (BC) of American Eagle XM33 ball 660 grain Velocity fps: 2940: 2806: 2677: 2551: 2428: 2309: Energy ft lbs: 12666: 11541: 10499: 9534: 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. MARK WATNEY MEMORIAL CRATER : This is the 14.9x102mm SOP, a wildcat 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. As we have done in previous sections, we are going to look at our ten selected rounds. 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. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. The longest recorded kill using a .50 BMG was over 2 miles away. Stringent quality control ensures proper bullet seating, consistent charges and pressures, optimal velocity, consistent overall length and repeatable accuracy. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. 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. No extra bullets are sent. Thank you. For a lot of cartridge comparisons we have done, recoil is usually not that huge of an issue. They all can kill any game animal in the world. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. [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. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. kilojoules). Unsubscribe at any time. While it travels in the air, it causes a shockwave which is equally dangerous to make a severe wound. It also has a strong recoil force as the cartridge is filled with powder. Browning pondered the situation and, according to his son John, replied, 'Well, the cartridge sounds pretty good to start. 50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator What is ballistic coefficient (BC)? Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start.