12.7x108mm

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name=12.7x108 mm


caption=Russian 12.7x108mm cartridges
origin=flagcountry|Soviet Union
type=Anti-tank rifle, Heavy machine gun
service= Late 1930s to present
used_by= Soviet Union and successor states
wars= WWII
designer=
is_SI_specs=yes
parent=
case type=Rimless, bottleneck
bullet=13.00
neck=13.95
shoulder=18.90
base=21.75
rim_dia=21.70
rim_thick=1.90
case_length=108
length=147.50
case_capacity=22.72
rifling=
primer=
max_pressure=360
is_SI_ballistics=yes
bwunit=gram
bw1=48.2
btype1=API B32
vel1=817
en1=16086
bw2=
btype2=
vel2=
en2=
bw3=
btype3=
vel3=
en3=
bw4=
btype4=
vel4=
en4=
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/1852/145mm.html#2 Russian Ammunition Page]

The 12.7x108mm cartridge is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries.

It is the approximate Russian equivalent of the NATO .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) cartridge. The differences between the two are the bullet shape, the types of powder used, and that the casing of the 12.7x108mm is 9 mm longer.

The 12.7x108mm can be used to engage a wide variety of targets, including armored vehicles, as proven in both Iraqi wars. An M1A2 tank was heavily damaged by what the analysts believed was 12.7 mm fire from either a NSV or DShK machine gun at the gates of Baghdad International Airport on April 4 2003. [ [http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/US-Field-Manuals/abrams-oif.pdf#prof Abrams Tank Systems] ] [ [http://www.wlhoward.com/id554.htm#prof Technical Intelligence Bulletins May - June 2003] ]

In the Finnish Defence Forces, the NSV chambered in 12.7 x 108 is used primarily in an anti-aircraft role by all branches. [ [http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/kalustoesittely/index.dsp?level=63&equipment=73 Puolustusvoimat: Kalustoesittely ] ]

Cartridge dimensions

The 12.7x108 has 22.72 ml (350 grains) H₂O cartridge case capacity.

12.7x108 maximum cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimetres (mm).

Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 18.16 degrees.

According to guidelines the 12.7 x 108 case can handle up to 360 MPa (52213 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum CIP pressure to certify for sale to consumers.

Incorrect interchangability claims

It is often claimed that the US .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) cartridge can be fired in Soviet/Russian 12.7x108mm machine guns. The 12.7x108mm was even called a “.51-caliber.” This often claimed interchangeability is an assumption made from the 12.7x108mm being listed as “.511-caliber” in US intelligence publications during the Vietnam War. Actually, both weapons are .511-caliber, but that does not make the rounds interchangeable one way or the other. The cartridge case dimensions and shape prevent chambering these rounds in the other’s weapon.

Firearms using this cartridge

* DShK heavy machine gun
* NSV heavy machine gun
* Kord heavy machine gun
* V-94 anti-tank/anti-material rifle
* KSVK anti-materiel sniper rifle
* Gepard anti-materiel rifle series
* M93 sniper rifle

ee also

* .50 BMG
* Anti-materiel rifle

References

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/1852/145mm.html#2 Russian Ammunition Page]