While the .338 rounds have a much smaller diameter than the huge .50 cal rounds, the exponentially heavier bullet weights of the 50BMG rounds make up for the large size. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! ShootersCalculator.com is in the process of being massively overhauled. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. 500 yds. So, lets focus on the long range trajectory for these two cartridges. With two decades of chasing all manner of upland game, hooved mammals, strutting gobblers, and any small game that can fit in his Dutch oven, he hopes to offer new ideas and viewpoints on hunting and firearm concepts and traditions. 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 This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. . While it is only two factors that go into stopping power, they are the best for comparing two cartridges besides comparison in the field. 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. As for powder charges, we used conservative numbers for each round based on the hand loading specifications from Nosler. At present, some US law enforcement use 50 BMG weapons, as well as snipers. We have hunted a long time and talked to a lot of our fellow outdoorsman. 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]. The 7.62 is the "screw you way over there" round. Typically, long range rifle bullets have a ballistic coefficient of 0.5 (G1) or above. . The surface is dirt and water-resistant. Before we get into our comparisons, there is one more note that we would like to make. But it differs from other types of 50 caliber bullet rounds. Price Per Round: $2.90. To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. I doubt too many microbiologists discuss the BCs of ammunition! Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. Most importantly, they are designed to reduce the bullets recoil. The minimum SD for hunting medium game is .210. Ballistics Coefficient (abbreviated "BC") is a bullet's ability to resist air friction and stay airborne. 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. Now, in this section, we are not looking technically at the actual felt recoil but instead at the recoil energy(ft.lb) that is generated when firing these rounds. Find load data for your cartridge. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. In this way, the user can know how much recoil the 50 BMG round has due to impact. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Copyright Hornady, Privacy Policy | CCPA Request | Accessibility Policy | Terms of Use, Designed and developed by IdeaBank Marketing. And like we said, if you need a large cartridge like both of these are, you probably already knew you were going to be dealing with recoil. There are two to three inches difference between the highest performing 50 BMG round and the highest 338 LM round. [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. Now I am curious about the comparison between the LM 338 and the 30-378 weathering magnum. 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. These include heavy stopping power that can be carried over incredible ranges. For hunters, stopping power is a critical factor in choosing a certain cartridge. The long range (over one mile) between firing position and target allows time for the sniper to avoid enemy retaliation by either changing positions repeatedly, or by safely retreating. Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide], Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison. No one knows who and why is producing these strange slugs in Tarkov, but they just work. 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. Be aware you may consider some of them unusable. This is why it is used in heavy-duty shootings. We have done our best to remove any that have major damage, but individual opinions may vary on what . Weapons such as machine guns, rifles, and regular hand pistols are easily compatible with this bullet. 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. As far as the BCs go for these two cartridges, both show phenomenal numbers. The cartridge itself has been made in many variants from armor piercing to tracer rounds, though most factory loads that can be accessed by civilians are the typical bullets. It has a ballistic coefficient of .730. We will bring this up several times throughout our discussion but keep in the back of your mind that your ultimate choice should consider all of these results together rather than focusing on one independent category. A .50 BMG round will penetrate most commercial brick walls and concrete cinder blocks. 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.. Powder is matched carefully to each specific load for optimal pressure, velocity and consistent accuracy. 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. 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]. for the the South African 690gn. 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. Both of these cartridges are capable of accuracy at extreme distances, and both have enormous stopping power. The max I have ever seen anyone run is around 3,000 and that is considered to be hot. It has the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory to make shots of even 1,500 yards. The fact is, both of these cartridges produce large amounts of recoil that can easily cause the shooter to flinch during a shot. A 50 cal bullet has the power to cut through a human body with ease. Maybe even more so when looking at these two rounds. 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. The Spitzer is a very popular and aerodynamic bullet shape. Joined Feb 9, 2010 Messages 6. The bullet length, shape, and weight all positively contribute to a much higher BC than the 50 Beowulf bullet. I want this to be the best ballistic trajectory calculator out there. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. 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 cartridge itself has been made in many variants from armor piercing to tracer rounds, though most factory loads that can be accessed by civilians are the typical bullets. 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 .50 BMG was developed during World War I when looking for an effective anti-aircraft round. By sticking with this 120-year-old non-aerodynamic standard, bullet companies ensure their BCs will be as large as . Like all Federal American Eagle ammunition, the 50 BMG provides reliable feeding and great ballistics. 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. In certain aspects and certain situations, sure, there are cartridges better suited to the task than others. There is no doubt that both are designed exclusively for successful performances in the field. When this is the case, we will be sure to make it clear what we are doing. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. 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. How To Read Remington Nylon 66 Serial Number Year Codes? 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. It runs on all modern Windows (Win98 and greater) computers. 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. Coming up on wounded animals, especially if they are predators, can be dangerous and being able to drop them cleanly takes this risk away. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. The bottom line is this. Check TopScopesfor Barrett.50 Cal. What is ballistic coefficient (BC)? The numbers with the 50BMG rounds are astounding, especially to some who might only be familiar with the more common hunting rounds. G1 projectiles are flat based bullets such as spritzer bullets, where G7 projectiles are going to cover boattail spitzers. Re: 50 BMG goes subsonic at 1500 Yards? Besides military and police organizations, the .50 BMG has gained popularity in some civilian circles. 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. [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. It is strong enough to hold a large volume of pressure. Use this ballistic calculator in order to calculate the flight path of a bullet given the shooting parameters that meet your conditions. 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! But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. The Barrett Mk. It comes in different types like tracer, armor-piercing, usual ball, incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds. 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. Muzzle 100 yds. 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. It has an aluminum color tip with a heavy build. 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. We have compiled the ballistic coefficients for all ten rounds and graphed them here. . cartridge. [15], A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is comparison of muzzle energies. Aaronthal Weapon Systems 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. [37][41] In Illinois, it is legal to possess a .50 caliber rifle only if it was acquired by January 10, 2023, and it is registered with the state police by January 1, 2024. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. PMC X-Tac Match .50 BMG Ammunition 10 Rounds 740 Grain Solid Brass Projectile 2830fps 50XM. It will a produce a line graph showing the bullet drop and flight path of the bullet. 12.799mm Technical data", "Technical Manual Small-Arms Ammunition, TM9-1990, U.S. War Department", "SHOT Show 2006 New Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols Offer Enhanced Performance", "Weaponry: .50 Caliber Rifle Crime," GAO Office of Special Investigations letter", "CHAPTER 943 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY", "Are .50 BMG rifles legal in California? Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. And if you need the performance of the 50BMG, you are probably already aware of what you are in for and with todays modern gear, you are perfectly capable of using this cartridge efficiently. The average chamber pressure in this round as listed in TM43-0001-27,[18] the U.S. Army Ammunition Data SheetsSmall Caliber Ammunition, not including plastic practice, short cased spotter, or proof/test loads, is 54,923psi (378,680kPa). Well discuss this topic more in the applications section. How much energy is required to take down an animal varies and the amount that actually gets transferred to the target varies. G1 Ballistic Coefficient Must be between 0.001 and 1.0. Sight Height (in) Must be a number greater than 0. The.50 BMG is quite legal for buying without the need for a special license or process. [30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. 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 email address you entered is not valid. 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. Granted, if youre firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). 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. More importantly, we are interested in how flat a bullet flies over a given distance. When comparing the 9mm handguns available, two models that always top the discussion are the Walther PPQ and the Glock 19. 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 like the 50BMG rounds, we will revisit this shortly. 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. However, the strength depends on the sturdiness and power of the rifles used for this bullet. Looking at just the basic physics, a .50 bmg has a muzzle velocity of about 420 meters per second (1480 feet per second). Lake City 50 BMG Ammo Details. Lets first take a look at the recoil energy (ft.lb) of these two rounds in general. However, bullets shot from pistols are slower as the gunpowder takes longer to burn. Beretta 3032 Tomcat [Review]: A Worthy Self-Defense Pistol? . 200 yds. They are widely used by civilians as well as military forces. Sometimes, the wound may be fragile, but it may also get fatal. A 50 caliber bullet is measured to be an inch. The ability to hit distant targets is . With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. 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. The trajectory is what just about every hunter or competitive shooter of every skill level will be interested in when comparing two different cartridges. .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) DPMS LR-308 [Review]: The AR, Back to Basics. Its also not the most expensive .338 LM factory load that is available. Brands like Smith & Wesson, Magnum Desert Eagle, Magnum Research, Guncrafter Industries, Ruger Super, Safety Harbour, etc create the best pistols for 50 BMG. It boasts a BC of 0.874, and some indicators point to a 0.900 BC at 2,900 fps. [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]. . Not match ammo. Our 50 BMG ammunition is ready for action. anti-tank rifle" and that then "Ordnance contracted with Winchester to design a .50-cal. I highly recommend him and his product. PMC X-Tac Match combines all the performance of world class ballistics with a price point that is friendly for your wallet. Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. From the bullet seating to the optimal charges and velocities, Hornady Match ammunition is designed to live up to company founder, J.W. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. This Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition is perfect for target shooting, competition shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting.This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. When a bullet is fired from the barrel, it carries kinetic energy that upon impact is transferred to the target. Thank you. For a lot of cartridge comparisons we have done, recoil is usually not that huge of an issue. So, here is a table below: During the war, 50 calibers were used against light armor vehicles and aircraft due to their penetration power. Both of these cartridges have found a place in the long range shooting. There are various types of weapons used for 50 caliber bullets. These bullets are magnetic. During wartime, especially WW2, the US coast guard, and military used 50 BMG rifles towards helicopters. While there are parties who will place one cartridge over the other, we are not looking to do that in our comparisons. But those that dont assault weapons are accepted by all applicable federal laws and made legal everywhere. Introducing the latest products from the worldwide leader in ammunition. Availability: Out of Stock. Since a 50 cal bullet can slice through a body without protective armor, it can also kill someone. 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. This bullet weighs much less even with the large size. This is the best ballistic coefficient of any bullet to date. It is used mainly in machine guns for various shooting and personal uses. It has velocities that compete with the 50 BMG rounds, one of the flattest trajectories when compared to other .338 LM factory loads, and a ballistic coefficient of nearly .8. The ballistic coefficient gives you an idea of how streamlined a bullet is. All of them but one .338 LM round break the .55 mark. . Done (0.63 seconds). Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. A 290 grain 50 BMG is a relatively robust round. [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). 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. "[5], The round was put into use in the M1921 Browning machine gun. Its because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. This is especially true if that bullet also has a high ballistic coefficient. Under STANAG 4383, it is a standard service cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. Bullet velocity is a very important ingredient of successful long-range shooting. [9] The former record for a confirmed long-distance kill was set by U.S. Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock in 1967 during the Vietnam War, at a distance of 2,090 meters (2,290yd; 1.30mi);[10] Hathcock used the .50 BMG in an M2 Machine Gun equipped with a telescopic sight. As you notice, the .50 BMG has nearly double the recoil energy than the .338 LM. For assistance, contact customerservice@barnesbullets.com or by phone at 800-574-9200. As you can imagine, the bigger the game, the more energy you are going to need to cause enough damage for a clean kill. They wanted a heavy projectile at 2700 feet per second (f.p.s. During operation or simply game shootings, it can make a significant wound in cases of accidents. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. Effect? The biggest issue we have with the 50 BMG is the sheer weight of the rifle. Browning pondered the situation and, according to his son John, replied, 'Well, the cartridge sounds pretty good to start. In this section, we will take a look at bullet energy and penetration for comparing the 50 BMG vs 338 Lapua Magnum. Citadel 1911 Review: Best Budget-Friendly Pistol? Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. Different 50 caliber bullets are used for various purposes that have individual compositions. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. No extra bullets are sent. Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well. I agree with Michael. [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. 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. It should already be clear that the difference just from the bullet diameter is quite dramatic. This American Eagle ammunition was produced by Lake City Arsenal to NATO specifications. No spam. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes daily! The 50 caliber is a 5.5-inch length seated bullet. The projectiles are high quality hand pulled 647 grain M8 API projectiles which have been cleaned, resized, and inspected before loading.