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. Powder is matched carefully to each specific load for optimal pressure, velocity and consistent accuracy. The max I have ever seen anyone run is around 3,000 and that is considered to be hot. Both of these cartridges are capable of accuracy at extreme distances, and both have enormous stopping power. and long-range bullets generally range from 0.5 all the way up to 1.0 with the .50 BMG! This shows most dramatically in the case capacity where the .50 BMG can hold nearly 200 more grains of powder than the 338LM. It should already be clear that the difference just from the bullet diameter is quite dramatic. Teamed with Colt, he produced prototypes ready for testing and, ironically, completed them by Nov. 11, 1918the Great War's end. 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. 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. Excellent quality, and great customer service from Dave Moore of Spider Firearms. They are easily portable to shoot at great ranges with destructive forces. 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. 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. Customer Reviews. This weapon was used by other snipers, and eventually purpose-built sniper rifles were developed specifically for this round. When it comes to hunting, there are great options for the .338 LM. The term BMG means Browning Machine Gun. Machine guns use it as a continuous belt of rounds. Sight Height (in) Must be a number greater than 0. The 338 LM was designed and produced in the late 1980s. 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. This can be useful in comparing cartridges or loads. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. Steel armors can also stop it from entering. However, it is restricted in California. Calculating Trajectories . The TSX was introduced in 2003 and has become Barnes' most popular hunting bullet. TMI50BMG ammunition is loaded to precise standards, using only the finest components, and processes. Zero Range (yd) 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. With extremely tight tolerances and strict quality control, all Hornady Match ammunition features superior lot-to-lot consistency. A custom-made 12/70 slug shell with a shortened .50 BMG tracer bullet for 12 gauge shotguns. 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. An upgraded variant of the M2 Browning HB machine gun used during World War II is still in use today. 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. The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force (14,000 and 20,000J), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the weapon it is fired from. If the bullet passes through cleanly, remaining relatively intact, not all of the energy is transferred to the target. 50 Cal 647 Grain Ball pulled bullets. The bottom line is this. We are not going to sit and mess around with the short range trajectory. [citation needed], The U.S. Coast Guard uses .50 BMG rifles onboard armed helicopters to disable the engines on boats during interdictions. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes, daily! Description. Both are considered powerful and unique bullet rounds. New reloading data must be opened as a PDF document in an up-to-date compatible PDF viewer. [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. To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. But, if you need the performance, its just something you have to deal with, especially if you dont reload. For hunters, stopping power is a critical factor in choosing a certain cartridge. The proof/test pressure is listed as 65,000psi (450,000kPa). 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. 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. Important: Since there are thousands of bullet shapes the Ballistic Coefficient calculations made below are not 100% accurate, if you are shooting out past 400-500+ yards your going to need to get the exact BC from the bullet's manufacturer. In some cases, it is used to detonate mounted guns or cannons. Think of it paired with the energy of the bullet. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. 200 yds. 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. Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. These rounds are listed below. It has the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory to make shots of even 1,500 yards. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. The rigidity and strength are used to penetrate tough surfaces easily. 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. 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 cartridge itself has been made in many variants: multiple generations of regular ball, tracer, armor-piercing (AP), incendiary, and saboted sub-caliber rounds. Huge bullets with enough powder to send them downrange at supersonic speeds are going to produce enough kick to knock you down. Informative, interesting and well written. So, it is evident that the bullet is dangerous and needs care while in use. 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. So there is a fine line a lot of hunters try to walk when it comes to penetration. Lake City 50 BMG Ammo Details. We will see more drastic differences between our selected rounds, and we cannot comment on the exact variables used for this result. [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. This line of ammunition is 100% Lake City made. 300 yds. We carefully select every component to ensure uniformity, then load to exacting specifications to provide pinpoint accuracy. 50 BMg bullets have a high ballistic coefficient of more than 1.0 to resist drifts from wind in flight. 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. .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. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. 400 yds. How important the ballistic coefficient is with shooters often depends on the distance of shots they are taking. Properties. A few of these include the bullet design (spitzer, boat tail, flat nose, etc.) Brands like Smith & Wesson, Magnum Desert Eagle, Magnum Research, Guncrafter Industries, Ruger Super, Safety Harbour, etc create the best pistols for 50 BMG. This includes the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory of the round. 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. The primer type specified for this ammunition is Boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries). cartridge. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.572 Diameter: 0.51" Material: Copper Length: 1.892" Features. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, youre going to have an accurate cartridge. Although 50 cal is a very penetrating bullet, research has found something to stop it. Receive exclusive gun deals once a week and all our great reviews right in your inbox. Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. Retail Price: $478.50. The caliber depends on the barrel diameter bore of the bullets guns. And this is case when comparing most cartridges. Still, by comparing the recoil energies, it will translate loosely into what you feel. KelTec Sub 2000 [Review]: Best PCC Firearm? PMC X-Tac Match is developed around several award winning loads replicating performance down to a tee. There are some options for bulk purchase which can save you some money in the long run. In some cases you might be surprised. Most .50 BMG rounds are not designed for much expansion. You would be surprised how many of them have never given their rounds BC a thought. Thank you. 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 The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. With that, you have a better chance at running into .338 LM rounds than a box of 50 BMG. In addition, these snipers will have less drift from the winds of the bullet. Special Offer: Join our private community and get exclusive gun deals, handpicked gear recommendations and updates on law changes, every day! Get My Cartridge Comparison Handbook! As you notice, the .50 BMG has nearly double the recoil energy than the .338 LM. 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. So when game time comes make sure you are ready and enjoy the accuracy of Federal American Eagle 50 BMG ammunition! The bullet length, shape, and weight all positively contribute to a much higher BC than the 50 Beowulf bullet. Muzzle 100 yds. It is a great investment if you want to get into long range shooting and will be especially useful if you handload. As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullets behavior such as expansion. You can find an email form and contact information here. To put this into perspective, the 750 gr A-MAX load has essentially the same kinetic energy at 1,500 yards as a 300 Winchester Magnum has at the muzzle. How To Read Remington Nylon 66 Serial Number Year Codes? Can a human survive a 50 Cal shot?How many bodies can a .50 cal penetrate? This comparison is interesting because of how similar the sectional densities are despite the major differences in bullets. While it is only two factors that go into stopping power, they are the best for comparing two cartridges besides comparison in the field. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. A.50 Caliber is a large bullet round with a 12.7mm diameter. Again, these numbers can vary based on the variables, but with our consistency, we think the comparisons are more than valid. [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). However, sectional density, the relationship between . It has a diameter of .50 inches, with a casing length of 99 mm and an overall length of 138 mm. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. For comparison, a similar monolithic bullet in .50 BMG usually maxes out around 800 grains at 2,900 fps. Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide], Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison. This calculator will produce a ballistic trajectory chart that shows the bullet drop, bullet energy, windage, and velocity. 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 There are two to three inches difference between the highest performing 50 BMG round and the highest 338 LM round. What is the best scope for a .50 BMG and what is the strongest 50 BMG? Barrel Length inches 36 Ballistics Coefficient (G1) 0.707 Ballistics Coefficient (G7) 0.350 Sectional Density 0.362. The fact is, both of these cartridges produce large amounts of recoil that can easily cause the shooter to flinch during a shot. The numbers with the 50BMG rounds are astounding, especially to some who might only be familiar with the more common hunting rounds. Gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and news on law changes, every day! Heavier bullets with the same diameter are going to penetrate deeper than lighter rounds with the same diameter. They have barrel shrouds and a compensator to keep the gun in level. Since 50 BMG bullets are powerful, they can enter through a body part with force. By adding trajectories to the panel on the right you may produce charts and graphs that show the different trajectories side by side. Its range and accuracy, however, are superior to light machine guns when fixed on tripods, and it has not been replaced as the standard caliber for Western vehicle-mounted machine guns (Soviet and CIS armored vehicles mount 12.7108mm NSVs, which have similar dimensions to .50 BMGs). Description: Lake City 50 BMG ammunition consists of Lake City brass, boxer-primers and 660 Grain projectiles. Your information will never be shared and you can unsubscribe with one click at anytime. Subscribe to our newsletter and get gun deals, educational content, hand's on reviews and news on law changes! 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 . With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. The .50 BMG was developed during World War I when looking for an effective anti-aircraft round. This is because the bullet is very large, so the wound it makes is also large and deep, but still curable. 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. The two most important variables are the Initial Velocity and the Ballistic Coefficient. The BC of a round also plays a large role in the trajectory of a round, which we will look at next. Thank you. We do know that the recoil energy is nearly double even with the 50BMG using a 30lb firearm compared to the 15lb for the 338. . 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. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. What you might be looking for is how these rounds behave in flight, which is what we will look at next. The gathered data regarding the projectile deceleration can be derived and expressed in several ways, such as ballistic coefficients (BC) or drag coefficients (C d). How much energy is required to take down an animal varies and the amount that actually gets transferred to the target varies. 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. The Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match bullet creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. Usually, a 50 cal round has a diameter of 12.7 mm diameter. But it differs from other types of 50 caliber bullet rounds. Other than armed forces, civilians use this bullet round for target shooting and sports. This will differ with various models. 500 yds. Typically, long range rifle bullets have a ballistic coefficient of 0.5 (G1) or above. 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. 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. This is the best ballistic coefficient of any bullet to date. 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. Copyright 2023 ShootersCalculator.comALL rights reserved. Like all Federal American Eagle ammunition, the 50 BMG provides reliable feeding and great ballistics. It is a scaled up version of the venerable .30-06 (standard issue in infantry rifles for the U.S. in both World Wars). 50 BMG is one of the types of 50 caliber cartridges used for 50 BMG machine guns. With ME of over 1,200ft.lb and and ME of over 5,000ft.lb at 1,000yds, there are no restrictions on the type of game you can hunt. I was also surprised with thebackground. Some of them operate by recoil principle, while others use gas. Granted, if youre firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. Users can easily use them for personal use. They are widely used by civilians as well as military forces. . It can shoot up to ranges of 330 yards and floats in the air for about seven seconds, before dropping to the ground. Thus, to begin zeroing on an optically centered scope, you have to come down 30 minutes at the start. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. 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. 50 caliber bullets can easily enter through a thick, concrete, or brick wall, a large tree, or even a person from a long distance. They can easily enter through light armors and hit targets. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. On the other hand, 50 BMG is one of the various types of 50 Cal. Ballistic coefficients were originally defined by Ingals as a number indicating velocity erosion due to air drag for a given bullet compared to a standard projectile of the same shape- 1 inch in diameter and weighing 1 pound. Muzzle Velocity - 2,952 is a screaming velocity, HSM AMAXs run around 2,680, and Barrett Ball is around 2,750. This is why they fit perfectly to any automatic or belt-fed snipers, machine guns, or pistols designed for this cartridge. Unsubscribe at any time. 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. The 50 caliber is a 5.5-inch length seated bullet. Since a .50 caliber bullet is manufactured with a solid metal surface and core, it is very powerful. Your email address will not be published. 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. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.799mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P. You will be sent the quantity of bullets that are ordered. This justifies the strength of the snipers and their sturdy build for heavy operation. For the 50BMG, we are not going to give a specific round. However, bullets shot from pistols are slower as the gunpowder takes longer to burn. 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? I love hunting, so I often have to deal with hunting equipment. SHTF 50: Safety Harbor's .50-Cal Upper Conversion for AR-15s 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. It comes in different types like tracer, armor-piercing, usual ball, incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds. Different 50 caliber bullets are used for various purposes that have individual compositions. Similarly, .50 BMG weapons have attracted attention from law enforcement agencies; they have been adopted by the New York City Police Department as well as the Pittsburgh Police. Even after the differences between 50 Cal vs 50 BMG, we see that they are quite similar in various features. It still has more penetrating power than lighter weapons such as general-purpose machine guns, though it is significantly heavier and more cumbersome to transport. It has an aluminum color tip with a heavy build. Join 212,000 avid gun enthusiasts and claim your print-at-home shooting drills. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. 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 one knows who and why is producing these strange slugs in Tarkov, but they just work. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesn't necessarily mean it is a better bullet. There are several variants of this 50 caliber round. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG or 12.7x99 mm cartridge. somehow. Its really the only way either of these rounds can be fired accurately. Each cartridge is loaded with either Hornady A-MAX bullets, our high-performance boattail hollow points, or the new, radically superior ELD Match bullets. 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. Ballistic Coefficient is essentially a measure of air drag. They have various models for different cartridges. 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. The higher the number, the less drag the projectile will experience. Almost all rounds have a ballistic coefficient of less than 1.0, but large rounds like the 50 BMG can exceed this normal BC. 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. 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. 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. .338 Lapua Mag vs .50 BMG Cartridge Comparison. [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. During operation or simply game shootings, it can make a significant wound in cases of accidents. The ballistic coefficient of the Barrett 50 BMG bullet is 0.64. Today, there are various types of bullet rounds manufactured that are measured in 50 calibers. Find load data for your cartridge. . If you do not have a Shooting Chronograph, I strongly suggest you purchase one. A high number means the bullet is more efficient at resisting air friction (negative acceleration). Hornady's original goal: "Ten bullets through one hole.". . When dealing with more obscure cartridges that dont have a huge market and takes quite a lot more material to make and you have the trifecta for expensive rounds. Usually with the sniper comes some accessories to clean and use effectively. 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. The majority of these people are using the cartridge for long range hunting on large game such as elk, moose, and even dangerous game. '"[5], The American Rifleman further explains that development was "[r]eputedly influenced by Germany's 13.2x92 mm SR (.53-cal.) 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 bullet type and powder make the recoil force different between bullets. 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.