.50 BMG

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
.50 BMG
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
DesignerWinchester Repeating Arms Co. and Frankford Arsenal
Specifications
Parent case.30-06 Springfield
Case typeRimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter.510 in (13.0 mm)
Land diameter.498 in (12.6 mm)
Neck diameter.560 in (14.2 mm)
Shoulder diameter.735 in (18.7 mm)
Base diameter.804 in (20.4 mm)
Rim diameter.804 in (20.4 mm)
Rim thickness.083 in (2.1 mm)
Case length3.91 in (99 mm)
Overall length5.45 in (138 mm)
Case capacity292.8 gr H2O (18.97 cm3)
Primer type#35 Arsenal Primer
Maximum pressure (TM43-0001-27)54,923 psi (378.68 MPa)
Maximum pressure (EPVAT)60,481 psi (417.00 MPa)
Maximum pressure (C.I.P.)53,664 psi (370.00 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
647 gr (42 g) Speer 3,044 ft/s (928 m/s) 13,310 ft⋅lbf (18,050 J)
655 gr (42 g) ADI 3,029 ft/s (923 m/s) 13,350 ft⋅lbf (18,100 J)
700 gr (45 g) Barnes 2,978 ft/s (908 m/s) 13,971 ft⋅lbf (18,942 J)
750 gr (49 g) Hornady 2,820 ft/s (860 m/s) 13,241 ft⋅lbf (17,952 J)[2]
800 gr (52 g) Barnes 2,895 ft/s (882 m/s) 14,895 ft⋅lbf (20,195 J)
Test barrel length: 45 in (1,100 mm)
Source(s): Ammoguide.com [1]

The .50 BMG (.50 Browning Machine Gun), also known as 12.7×99mm NATO, and designated as the 50 Browning by the

sub-caliber rounds. The rounds intended for machine guns are made into a continuous ammunition belt
using metallic links.

The .50 BMG cartridge is also used in anti-materiel 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.[3]

History

In response to the need for new anti-aircraft weaponry during World War I, John Browning developed the .50 BMG. He wanted the round to be used in a machine gun and wanted the machine gun to be based on a scaled-up version of the M1917 Browning.[4]

The development of the .50 BMG round is sometimes confused with the German

British tanks during World War I and against aircraft. According to American Rifleman: "Actually, the Browning .50 originated in the Great War. American interest in an armor-piercing cartridge was influenced by the marginal French 11 mm (0.43 in) design, prompting U.S. Army Ordnance officers to consult Browning. They wanted a heavy projectile at 2,700 ft/s (820 m/s), but the ammunition did not exist. Browning pondered the situation and, according to his son John, replied, 'Well, the cartridge sounds pretty good to start. You make up some cartridges and we'll do some shooting.'"[5]

The American Rifleman further explains that development was "[r]eputedly influenced by Germany's 13.2x92 mm SR (.525 in) anti-tank rifle" and that then "Ordnance contracted with Winchester to design a .50-cal. cartridge. Subsequently, Frankford Arsenal took over from Winchester, producing the historic .50 BMG (12.7x99 mm) cartridge. The Army then returned to John Browning for the actual gun. Teamed with Colt, he produced prototypes ready for testing and, ironically, completed them by Nov. 11, 1918—the Great War's end."[5]

The round was put into use in the

rolled homogeneous armor at the same range,[7] and 0.75 inches (19 mm) at 547 yards (500 m).[8]

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. An upgraded variant of the M2 Browning HB machine gun used during World War II is still in use today. Since the mid-1950s, some armored personnel carriers and utility vehicles have been made to withstand 12.7 mm machine gun fire, restricting the destructive capability of the M2. It still has more penetrating power than lighter weapons such as

NSVs
, which have similar dimensions to .50 BMGs).

Decades later, the .50 BMG was chambered in high-powered rifles as well.[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.[4]

Typical uses

The primary military use of this round is in the M2 Browning machine gun and anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett M82.[citation needed]

The

cinder blocks.[citation needed
]

The .50 BMG round was used as a sniper round as early as the Korean War.[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 (2,290 yd; 1.30 mi);[10] Hathcock used the .50 BMG in an M2 Machine Gun equipped with a telescopic sight. This weapon was used by other snipers, and eventually purpose-built sniper rifles were developed specifically for this round.[citation needed]

In June 2017, a

a British sniper in Afghanistan held the record at 2,475 meters (2,707 yd; 1.538 mi) using an Accuracy International AWM L115A3 long-range rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum (8.58×70 mm) rounds.[12][13]

In addition to long-range and anti-materiel, the U.S. military uses .50 BMG weapons to detonate unexploded ordnance from a safe distance. It can disable most unarmored and lightly armored vehicles.[14]

Some civilians use .50 caliber rifles for long-range target shooting: the US-based Fifty Caliber Shooters Association holds .50 BMG shooting matches.[15]

Power

12.7×99mm NATO cartridge dimensions in inches

A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is comparison of muzzle energies. The .30-06 Springfield, the standard caliber for American soldiers in both World Wars and a popular caliber amongst American hunters for medium to large game animals, can produce muzzle energies between 2,000 and 3,000 foot-pounds force (3,000 and 4,000 J). The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force (14,000 and 20,000 J), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the weapon it is fired from. Due to the high ballistic coefficient of the bullet, the .50 BMG's trajectory also suffers less "drift" from crosswinds than smaller and lighter calibers, making the .50 BMG a good choice for high-powered sniper rifles.[16]

Cartridge dimensions

12.7 x 99mm NATO dimensions converted to millimeters

The .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge has a capacity of 290 gr (19 g). 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.

The common

twist rate for this cartridge is 1 in 15 in (380 mm), with eight lands and grooves. The primer type specified for this ammunition is a boxer primer that has a single centralized ignition point (US and NATO countries).[17]
However, some other countries produce the ammunition with Berdan primers that have two flash holes.

The average chamber pressure in this round as listed in TM43-0001-27,[18] the U.S. Army Ammunition Data Sheets — Small Caliber Ammunition, not including plastic practice, short cased spotter, or proof/test loads, is 54,923 psi (378,680 kPa). The proof/test pressure is listed as 65,000 psi (450,000 kPa).

Military cartridge types

Left to right, rear:
  green/gray tip Raufoss Mk 211 HEIAP (high-explosive incendiary armor-piercing)
  yellow/red tip (M48 spotter)
  silver tip (M8 armor-piercing incendiary)
  light blue tip (M20 incendiary)
  black tip (M2 armor piercing)
  silver tip/red sabot (M962 SLAP-T)
  silver tip/amber sabot (M903 SLAP)
  red tip (M17 tracer)
  unpainted copper (M33 ball)
Front row are 5.56×45mm NATO and .500 S&W Magnum, for size comparison
.50 BMG rounds and projectiles. Left to right:
  • M2 ball
  • M1 tracer
  • M2 armor piercing
  • M17 tracer
  • M8 armor piercing incendiary
  • M20 armor piercing incendiary tracer
  • M1 incendiary
  • M903 SLAP
  • M962 SLAP-T
  • XM156 spotter tracer

The .50 BMG cartridge is also produced commercially in a wide range of specifications, including armor piercing, tracing, and incendiary:

Cartridge, caliber .50, tracer, M1
This tracer is used for observing fire, signaling, target designation, and incendiary purposes. This bullet has a red tip.
Cartridge, caliber .50, incendiary, M1
This cartridge is used against unarmored, flammable targets. The incendiary bullet has a light blue tip
Cartridge, caliber .50, ball, M2
This cartridge is used against personnel and unarmored targets. This bullet has an unpainted tip.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor piercing (AP), M2
This cartridge is used against lightly armored vehicles, protective shelters, and personnel, and can be identified by its black tip.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor-piercing incendiary (API), M8
This cartridge is used, in place of the armor-piercing round, against armored, flammable targets. The bullet has a silver tip.
Cartridge, caliber .50, tracer, M10
Tracer for observing fire, signaling, target designation, and incendiary purposes. Designed to be less intense than the M1 tracer, the M10 has an orange tip.
Cartridge, caliber .50, tracer, M17
Tracer for observing fire, signaling, target designation, and incendiary purposes. Can be fired from the
M82/M107
series of rifles.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor-piercing incendiary tracer (API-T), M20
This cartridge is used in place of the armor-piercing round against armored, flammable targets, with a tracer element for observation purposes. It is effectively a variant of the M8 armor-piercing incendiary with the added tracer element. Can be fired from the M82/M107 series of rifles. This bullet has a red tip with a ring of aluminum paint.
Cartridge, caliber .50, tracer, headlight, M21
Tracer for use in observing fire during air-to-air combat. Designed to be more visible, the M21 is three times more brilliant than the M1 tracer.
Cartridge, caliber .50, incendiary, M23
This cartridge is used against unarmored, flammable targets. The tip of the bullet is painted blue with a light blue ring.
Cartridge, caliber .50, ball, M33
This cartridge is used against personnel and unarmored targets. Can be fired from the M82/M107 series of rifles.
Cartridge, caliber .50, saboted light armor penetrator (SLAP), M903
This cartridge has a 355 – 360 gr (23.00 – 23.33 g) heavy metal (tungsten) penetrator that is sabot-launched at a muzzle velocity of 4,000 ft/s (1,219 m/s). The 0.50 in (12.7 mm) diameter sabot is designed to separate after leaving the muzzle, releasing the 0.30 in (7.62 mm) penetrator. The sabot is injection molded of special high strength plastic and is reinforced with an aluminum insert in the base section. The cartridge is identified by an amber sabot (Ultem 1000). Used only in the M2 series of machine guns. This round can penetrate 0.75 in (19 mm) of steel armor at 1,500 yards (1,400 m).[19]
Cartridge, caliber .50, saboted light armor penetrator tracer (SLAP-T), M962
Like the M903, this is a SLAP round, with the only difference being that the M962 also has a tracer element for observing fire, target designation, and incendiary purposes. It has a red plastic sabot for identification and is used only in the M2 series of machine guns.
Cartridge, caliber .50, ball, XM1022
A long-range match cartridge specifically designed for long-range work using the M107 rifle.
Cartridge, caliber .50, M1022 long-range sniper
The .50 caliber M1022 has an olive-green bullet coating with no tip ID coloration. The projectile is of standard ball design. It is designed for long-range sniper training and tactical use against targets that do not require armor-piercing or incendiary effects. It exhibits superior long-range accuracy and is trajectory matched to MK211 grade A. The M1022 is ideal for use in all .50 caliber bolt-action and semi-automatic sniper rifles.[20] The bullet remains supersonic from 1,500 m (1,640 yd) to 1,600 m (1,750 yd).[21]
Raufoss Mk 211 Mod 0 HEIAP projectile
Cartridge, caliber .50, high-explosive incendiary armor-piercing (HEIAP), Mk 211 Mod 0
A "combined effects" cartridge, the Raufoss Mk 211 Mod 0 HEIAP cartridge contains a .30 caliber tungsten penetrator, zirconium powder, and Composition A explosive. It can be used in any .50 caliber weapon in the US inventory with the exception of the M85 machine gun. The cartridge is identified by a green tip with a gray ring.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor-piercing incendiary dim tracer (API-DT), Mk 257
The .50 caliber Mk 257 API-DT has a purple bullet tip. The bullet has a hardened steel core and incendiary tip. It is used in the M2, M3, and M85. Dim tracer reduces the possibility of the weapon being located during night fire and is visible only with night-vision devices.[20]
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor-piercing (AP), Mk 263 Mod 2
The .50 caliber Mk 263 has a black tip. The bullet has a hardened steel core and features double valleys to reduce bearing surface thereby decreasing friction and increasing stability. It is used in the M2, M3, and M85.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor-piercing incendiary tracer (API-T), Mk 300 Mod 0
as with the Mk 211 Mod 0, but with a tracer component. This cartridge likely can be used in any .50 caliber weapon in the US inventory with the exception of the M85 machine gun, as with the Mk 211 Mod 0.
Cartridge, caliber .50, armor piercing explosive incendiary (APEI), Mk 169 Mod 2
This cartridge is used against hardened targets such as bunkers, for suppressive fire against lightly armored vehicles, and ground and aerial threat suppression. It is generally fired either from pilot-aimed aircraft-mounted guns or anti-aircraft platforms, both produced by FN Herstal.[22] It is identified by a gray over yellow tip.[23] A tracer variant of it also exists.
Cartridge, caliber .50, ball, Mk 323 Mod 0
Created by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, this cartridge uses M33 ball projectiles in polymer cases instead of brass. It has a clear polymer case, with a standard brass head fused at the bottom. The Mk 323 can be fired from M2HB/M2A1 machine guns and GAU-21/A aircraft guns with the same performance. It gives a 25 percent weight saving over brass-cased ammunition allowing 40 percent more ammunition to be carried for the same weight. The Mk 323's polymer casing is applied to tracer, AP, API, and SLAP projectiles.[24][25]

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) contracted with Teledyne Scientific Company to develop the EXACTO program, including a .50-caliber guided bullet. Videos published by DARPA show the guided bullet diverting to strike a moving target.[26][27][28][29]

Belt links

Three distinct and non-compatible metallic links have been used for .50 BMG cartridge belts. The M2 and M9 links, "pull-out" designs, are used in the Browning M2 and M3 machine guns.[30][31] The M15-series metal "push-through" links were used in the M85 machine gun. Pull-out cloth belts were also used at one time but have been obsolete since 1945.

  • M2 and M9 links
    M2 and M9 links
  • M15A2 link
    M15A2 link
  • M9 links in use
    M9 links in use

Legal issues

United Kingdom

Within the United Kingdom, it is legal to own a bolt action .50 BMG rifle with a section 1

Firearms Certificate.[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.[33]

United States

The specified maximum diameter of an unfired .50 BMG bullet is 0.510-inch (13.0 mm); while this appears to be over the .50 inch (12.7 mm) 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 (12.7 mm) across the rifling lands and slightly larger in the grooves. The oversized bullet is formed to the bore size upon firing, forming a tight seal and engaging the rifling. 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. While the .50 BMG round is able to deliver accurate shot placement (if match grade ammunition is used) at ranges over 1,000-yard (910 m), smaller caliber rifles produce better scores and tighter groups in 1,000-yard (910 m) competitions.[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. None of the cited cases has confirmed domestic violent criminal use of a .50 BMG firearm, and a majority of the domestic cases were possession charges.[35]

In the United States, Washington, D.C. disallows registration of .50 BMG rifles, thus rendering civilian possession unlawful.[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.[38] Connecticut specifically bans the Barrett 82A1 .50 BMG rifle.[39] However, .50 BMG rifles registered prior to the enacted bans remain lawful to possess in California[37][40] and Connecticut.[37][41] In Illinois, it is legal to possess a .50 caliber rifle only if it was acquired by January 10, 2023, and it was registered with the state police by January 1, 2024.[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]

Contrary to a persistent misconception within the

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.

Partial list of .50 BMG firearms

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "C.I.P. TDCC sheet 50 Browning" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  2. ^ "50 BMG 750 gr A-MAX Match". Hornady. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  3. .
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ a b Barrett Tillman, American Rifleman,February 23, 2017, https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/2/23/the-50-cal-browning-machine-gun-the-gun-that-won-the-war/ Archived June 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "MCWP 3-15.1 Machine Guns and Machine Gunnery". archive.org. US Marine Corps.
  7. ^ "Browning Machine Gun Caliber .50 HB, M2" (PDF). bits.de. Headquarters Department of the Army. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  8. , p. 432.
  9. .
  10. .
  11. ^ FIFE, ROBERT (June 21, 2017). "Canadian elite special forces sniper makes record-breaking kill shot in Iraq". Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  12. ^ Smith, Michael (May 2, 2010). "Hotshot sniper in one-and-a-half mile double kill". The Sunday Times. UK. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  13. ^ Sheridan, Michael (May 3, 2010). "British sniper Craig Harrison (The Silent Assassin) breaks record, kills target from 1.5 miles away". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  14. .
  15. ^ Fifty Caliber Shooters Association, Accessed: December 10, 2022
  16. .
  17. ^ NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization, Per G. Arvidsson, ChairmanWeapons & Sensors Working GroupLand Capability Group 1 - Dismounted Soldier NATO Army Armaments Group Archived December 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Small Caliber Ammunition" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. April 1994. p. 150. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  19. ^ "albums/oo255/FEDE_EL_SOMALI/1-15". i381.photobucket.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Small Caliber Ammunition" (PDF). ATK. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  21. ^ Cartridges for Long-Range Sniping Rifles by Anthony G Williams Archived March 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "12.7x99mm". FN HERSTAL. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  23. ^ Igman Ammunition Cal. 12.7 x 99 mm, APEI, M 02 Archived March 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Crane Using Lightweight .50 Cal Ammo Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine - Kitup. Military.com, September 11, 2011.
  25. ^ Jarod Stoll and Kathryn Hunt (May 21, 2012). "Advancements in Lightweight .50 Caliber Ammunition" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  26. ^ Cox, Matthew (December 15, 2014). "DoD Wants Bullet That Can Change Direction After Being Fired". Military.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  27. ^ "EXACTO Guided bullet demonstrates repeatable performance against moving targets 2904152 | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analyse focus army defence military industry army". Armyrecognition.com. April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  28. ^ "EXACTO Guided Bullet Demonstrates Repeatable Performance against Moving Targets". Darpa.mil. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  29. ^ "EXACTO Live-Fire Tests, February 2015". DARPAtv. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  30. ^ "Metal link M9 for cal. 12.7×99mm Technical data" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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  32. ^ "Home". Fifty Calibre Shooters Association UK. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  33. ^ Home Office (June 2014). "Guide on firearms licensing law" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2014.[page needed]
  34. ^ GunWeek.com. "SHOT Show 2006 New Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols Offer Enhanced Performance". Archived from the original on May 21, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
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  36. ^ "District of Columbia Code". ATF. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  37. ^ a b c d "Machine Guns & 50-Caliber". lawcenter.giffords.org. Giffords Law Center. 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  38. ^ "Assembly Bill No. 50". CA Legislature. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  39. ^ "Chapter 943 Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety". Connecticut General Assembly. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  40. ^ Shouse, Neil (July 17, 2017). "Are .50 BMG rifles legal in California?". shouselaw.com. Shouse California Law Group. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  41. ^ "Special Licensing and Firearms". ct.gov. Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. September 6, 2018. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018. ...any person who has a Certificate of Possession issued by the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit may possess the Assault Weapon listed on their certificate.... a Certificate of Possession must be obtained prior to January 1, 2014
  42. ^ Howard, Meredith (January 12, 2023). "How Will Illinois Law Banning Some Firearms Affect Gun Owners? Answers to Top Questions". Belleville News-Democrat. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
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