Previously, we discussed trying to lighten the soldier’s load by making the cartridge case out of different materials, including aluminum and compositing the case out of polymer and metal. Yet, wouldn’t the lightest possible case configuration be… [Read More…]
In the last episode, we discussed how the most ballistically efficient projectiles are the longest, most slender ones, with the highest sectional density. This naturally leads to the idea of using a super long, rod-like projectile which would in theory have excellent [Read More…]
One of the problems of small arms ammunition is that of swept volume. That is, the most ballistically efficient projectiles are the longest and thinnest ones, which cut through the air more easily than squatter, fatter projectiles. Yet, the best projectiles from a [Read More…]
In the last installment, we talked about the growing need throughout the 20th Century to reduce the weight of the cartridge case, to lighten the burden of the soldier. Experiments in aluminum have thus far proven unsuccessful, but another material is even more [Read More…]
The United States government has won a major firearms-related victory in Federal appeals court today, regarding claims of patent infringement by Liberty Ammunition, LLC. Liberty had claimed that the US Army’s M855A1 EPR and M80A1 EPR projectiles infringed on its [Read More…]
While ballistic calculators have largely removed much of the math skills that were required to shoot long range, they have become quite the handy tool making long-range shooting accessible (and enjoyable) for those not steeped in ballistic mysticisms. Stepping up to [Read More…]
The metallic cartridge case was invented in the 1840s, and – starting in the 1860s – its military application brought with it a host of of advantages for the soldier: Now, ammunition was self-contained, weatherproof, and durable. Yet, despite it being a [Read More…]
PolyCase caught the attention of more than a few gun owners when they first began manufacturing their copper-polymer blend bullets, and now they’re expanding their line. While their ARX bullets – which have become increasing popular as other manufacturers [Read More…]
I have successfully avoided the 300BLK evolution that has occurred over the last few years. Mind you, not for any particular reason (other than the cost of stock piling yet another round). For me, suppressing a .38/.357 bolt action Ruger scratches the grin-inducing itch [Read More…]
It’s not just the Yanks that are getting improved ammunition: Our friends across the pond have developed their own firepower upgrade for 5.56mm and 7.62mm weapons alike. Jane’s has a modest article on the subject, while The Register provides a quite good [Read More…]
In a futile attempt to curb the rampant violence in Venezuela, the National Guard and local police destroy 2,000 firearms that were seized or traded in for electronic goods. Reuters’ Article mentions that most firearms that criminals get are acquired from corrupt [Read More…]
After World War II, the nations of the world retired to lick their wounds and rebuild, but their arms engineers also began thinking about the next war. The war have brought forth a storm of new technologies and inventions, and one of the most significant in the field of [Read More…]
What happens when you take the two concepts of a traditional, full-power rifle and machine gun round, and a small-caliber, high-velocity round, and smash them together? You get one of the most extreme military small arms calibers ever developed, and one of the last [Read More…]
Modern? Sure, but let’s take a step back… Way back. It’s 1890 and smokeless powder has just been invented. There’s this guy named Rubin going around and spreading the gospel of the small caliber, high velocity .30″ bore round. You’re [Read More…]
While soldiers are typically lauding the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, it has come at a cost of long-term durability and reliability of the M4A1. The M855A1 exposed steep tip loading is substantially different from its predecessor, the venerable M855 steel-core, [Read More…]
Gunstruction, originally known for their AR-15 builder, has been on a tear of rapid expansion into various other calibers and platforms. Their most recent introduction has been the addition of the Remington 700 bolt-action rifle platform, which has included many notable [Read More…]
Alliant Powder announced the company is now shipping its newest rifle powder: Reloader 16. According to the company, one of the chief characteristics of interest about this powder is its ability to deliver consistent accuracy on long range targets across a wide range of [Read More…]
Jeff over at BigShooterist built a suppressed SBR and chambered it in .375 Socom. .375 Socom is the brainchild of Tony at Tromix. You may know Tony’s work on the Siamese AR-15. Well the .375 Socom is a large caliber akin to the .450 and .50 caliber big bores where [Read More…]
Many would consider this next round to be the first intermediate cartridge ever, and while that isn’t really true, it is one of the most influential rounds of all time, and perhaps the most influential intermediate round ever developed. I am talking of course [Read More…]
I love these cutaway pictures, one of my favorites is that picture we posted back in 2014 from the UK of that Webley Mark IV .38/200 revolver with the barrel obstruction that was cut in half. Well when I stumbled upon this awesome new post from Fog Ammunition with high [Read More…]
With restrictions in specific states or hunting areas, more hunters are in pursuit of ammunition that is lead-free. Federal is looking to dive into that market with their brand new offering of Lead-Free Power-Shok Copper ammunition. The initial caliber offerings are as [Read More…]
In the mid-1950s, the People’s Republic of China followed the Soviet Union’s example and adopted the intermediate 7.62x39mm round. This decision substantially helped to promote that cartridge’s ubiquity throughout the world, as millions of cheap [Read More…]
Shouldn’t “Modern Full Power Calibers” be its own series? No, because then there would only be two episodes! So instead, we’re rolling today’s two most popular full power .30 cal rounds into the series on intermediates, primarily as [Read More…]
At first glance I was a bit confused by this photo. The Lancer mags show us the rounds and they are huge. Since it appears to be single stack with ballistic tips I thought this was some bizzare pistol caliber round. Nope it is .458 SOCOM. Below is a photo comparing 5.56 [Read More…]
H&N Sport announced a new pellet design that promises unmatched expansion for increased lethality on small game. Called the Terminator, these expanding lead pellets combine a tapered tip with a partitioned hollow tip to provide significant expansion and penetration [Read More…]
On Saturday we looked at one British “contender” which could have in some alternate reality become the NATO standard round, and today we’re going to look at another: The 4.85x49mm. After the United States adopted the .223 Remington round as the [Read More…]
Up to this point we’ve looked at calibers ranging from 5.56mm to 7.62mm, but today we’re going to look at something smaller… A lot smaller. The smallest caliber size that is feasible for a given current barrelmaking and projectile manufacture [Read More…]
Today on an extra special episode of Historical Intermediate Calibers, we’ll be taking a look at one of the most controversial experimental military rounds, one that many believe should have become the standard for the Western World at the beginning of the Cold [Read More…]
Among the interesting concepts that were tested in the mid-late 20th Century is that of an extremely light for caliber, very long bullet made in part of a lightweight material like aluminum and plastic. The 7.92×40 CETME, which if I can find a specimen I will cover [Read More…]
Close your eyes and allow me to take you back to a time when ammunition was cheap and plentiful. Crates of Comm Bloc surplus ammo could be had for the price of a night at the movies. Where ammo shelves were stocked to the brim, and retailers were handing out ‘buy [Read More…]
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