View Single Post
  #6  
Old 08-01-2013, 03:55 PM
commando552 commando552 is offline
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: England
Posts: 547
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2wingo View Post
Follow-up question: How do they compare ballistically to their NATO equivalents?
There is a lot about this online, and TBH it pretty much all disagrees with each other. It also depends on the situation it is being used in and personal preference. For example in a close range urban fight, I would probably go with the 7.62x39mm as it has better penetration through obstacles and will not be deflected as much. However the 5.56x45mm has better range and accuracy than the 7.62x39mm, so out to longer ranges past 300m or so I would go for the 5.56x45mm.

In terms of wounding power this is a bit of an iffy subject, as the 7.62x39mm fires a heavier bullet with more energy, however it is very stable meaning that a FMJ bullet will just punch straight through a human creating a relatively narrow wound channel. The 5.56x45mm has less energy, however it is much better at transfering it as the round is unstable so that it tumbles inside the body, creating a wider wound channel. This is only for FMJ military ammo though, if you are going for SP or HP bullets the 7.62x39mm will be better.

In terms of comparing the 5.56x45mm to 5.45x39mm, I would almost always go for the 5.56x45mm. Without even getting into the ballistic comparison, there is a far greater variety of 5.56 ammo available meaning that you can get something that better fits your needs. The 5.56 has better range and accuracy, fires a heavier bullet with more energy and has better penetration. The 5.45x39mm has lower recoil and has a flatter trajectory (along with possibly slightly better wounding potential but not sure about that one).
Reply With Quote