SWISS P, a RUAG Ammotec subsidiary company, has introduced a new sniper rifle cartridge called .375 SWISS P (9.5x70mm). This is a .375 caliber rebated rim bottleneck cartridge. It shares the same rim diameter and overall length with the .338 Lapua Magnum, however, it has a larger (15.73mm (.619″)) base diameter and is advertised as a cartridge that “fills the gap in ballistic performance between the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70 mm) and the .50 Browning Machine Gun (12.7×99 mm)“.

The .375 SWISS P is a CIP-certified cartridge (click HERE to download the CIP drawing). Apparently, this cartridge has been in development at least for about three years as the date seen on the cartridge dimensions document and CIP tables is May 16, 2018.

Having identical rim dimensions, overall length and operating at the same pressures (CIP maximum average pressure of 4,200 bar (61,000 psi)) as the .338 Lapua Magnum, the new .375 SWISS P cartridge is compatible with .338 LM bolts and magazines (despite the slightly thicker case body). To convert most .338 LM rifles into .375 SWISS P, only a barrel change should be required making it a cost-effective conversion into a more capable rig with a minimum weight increase.

Currently, there is one load listed on the SWISS P website – a ball load with a 350 grain (22.7 g) lead-core tombac-jacketed FMJ bullet. In a 30″ barrel, this cartridge is capable of pushing the 350-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of 2838 fps (865 m/s) which results in a muzzle energy of 6269 ft-lb (8500 joules). This bullet remains supersonic to up to 1,600 meters.

As you have probably noticed in the picture above, the FMJ bullet has an interesting internal design with a brass ball inside the nose cavity. Here is how SWISS P describes the advantages of this bullet design:

When optimizing a projectile for long range precision, the position of the centre of gravity is key. It is also critically important to design the tip of the projectile for maximum aerodynamic performance, and keep manufacturing tolerances to an absolute minimum. In order to shift the centre of gravity of the projectile as far towards the rear as possible, the newly-developed .375 Swiss P full metal jacket projectile features a metal sphere in the tip, which creates an empty volume and also has a lower density than the lead core. As a result, the new Swiss P full metal jacket projectile has a higher ballistic coefficient than traditional long-range hollow point boat tail projectiles.

Later in 2021, SWISS P will also release an armor-piercing load featuring an open tip bullet with a tungsten carbide penetrator. According to the company, this AP bullet allows reliably penetrating an “SK4 class protective vest under standard conditions up to approximately 600 meters“.

Comparing to their own .338 Lapua Magnum 250-grain ball load, the company notes that the new .375 SWISS P cartridge has 40% more muzzle energy and 25% longer supersonic operational range. To learn more about the .375 SWISS P cartridge’s ballistic performance and for a more detailed comparison to .338 Lapua Magnum, click HERE.

Pictures by SWISS P, www.swiss-p.com