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.50 Caliber Browning (12.7 x 99 mm) Ammunition
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DESCRIPTIONAmmunition for use in machine guns is issued in metallic link belts. Link belts are made of units of cartridges and links. Each link has two loops fitted around a single cartridge and one loop fitted around an adjacent cartridge. Each cartridge in a metallic link belt has two links attached to it, except the end cartridges. Cartridge links are made of steel which is processed to prevent rusting. They are manufactured and tested to assure satisfactory ammunition feeding and functioning under all service conditions. M2 and M9 links are manufactured with closed loops. When assembled with the cartridge in belts, the links fit on the cartridge shoulder. The tapered front loops of the links are positioned firmly on the cartridge shoulder to hold the cartridge in proper alignment for feeding into the weapon. The design required the cartridge to be extracted from the rear and dropped into position for moving into the chamber for firing. Weapons designed for the links require additional space in the rear of the receiver for retraction. M2 and M9 links are used with the M2 machine gun only.
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Ball, High Pressure Test, M1 
Used by all .50 Browning weapons. The cartridge is intended for use in proof testing weapons during manufacture, test, or repair. The cartridge is identified by a stannic-stained (silvered) cartridge case. Type Classification: STD - OTCM 36841 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Blank, M1 
Used by the M2 machine gun (flexible only). The cartridge is used to simulate firing in training exercises. The cartridge is identified by the absence of a bullet and has crimped cartridge case mouth. Type Classification: CONT - OTCM 36841 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Incendiary, M1 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns. For incendiary effect, especially against aircraft. Upon impact with a hardened or armored target, the incendiary composition bursts into flame and will ignite any flammable material. Incendiary composition: 34 grains (2.2 gm) IM 11 The cartridge is identified by a blue bullet tip. Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Tracer, M1 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns. The tracer is intended to permit visible observation of the bullet's in-flight path or trajectory to the point of impact. Limited to continental US for training purposes only. Trace range: 1,969 yards (1,800 m) Tracer: R256 The cartridge is identified by a red bullet tip. Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Blank, M1A1 
Used by the M2 machine gun with the M19 Blank Ammunition Firing Attachment, the M85 machine gun with the M20 Blank Firing Attachment, and the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle. The cartridge is used to simulate firing in training exercises. http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/50_ammo.html (5 of 13)3/10/2005 4:09:19 PM The cartridge is identified by the absence of a bullet. The M1A1 differs from the M1 in that the M1A1 has a rosette crimp at the mouth. Type Classification: STD - MSR 02806015 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Ball, M2 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel or unarmored targets. The cartridge is identified by a plain bullet. Type Classification: STD - OTCM 36841 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Ball, Armor Piercing, M2 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns. The cartridge is for use against light-armored or unarmored targets, concrete shelters, and similar bullet-resisting targets. Armor Penetration. 500 meters: 0.75 in (19 mm) 1,200 meters: 0.39 in (10 mm) The cartridge is identified by a black bullet tip. Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Dummy, M2
Used by all .50 Browning weapons. The cartridge is used for practice in loading for simulated firing and for inspecting and testing the mechanism of the weapon. The cartridge is identified by three drilled holes in the cartridge case and the absence of a primer. Type Classification: STD - OTCM 36841 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Ball, Armor Piercing Incendiary, M8 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns, and the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle. The cartridge combines the functions of the M2 armor piercing bullet and the incendiary bullet, and is used against flammable targets and light-armored or unarmored targets, concrete shelters, and similar bullet-resisting targets. Armor Penetration. 500 meters: 0.63 in (16 mm) 1,200 meters: 0.32 in (8 mm) Incendiary composition: 15 grains (0.97 gm) IM 11 The cartridge is identified by an aluminum bullet tip. Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Tracer, M10 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns. The tracer cartridge exhibits a visible trace from a point not greater than 100 yards (91 m) from the muzzle of the weapon to a point not less than http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/50_ammo.html (7 of 13)3/10/2005 4:09:19 PM .50 Caliber Browning (12.7 x 99 mm) Ammunition 1,600 yards (1,463 m) from the muzzle. Tracer: R256 The cartridge is identified by an orange bullet tip. Type Classification: STD - OTCM 37107 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Tracer, M17 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns, and the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle. The cartridge tracer is intended to permit visible observation of the bullets in-flight path or trajectory to the point of impact. Trace range: 2,679 yards (2,450 m) Tracer: R256 The cartridge is identified by a brown bullet tip. Type Classification: CON - MSR 11756003 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Armor Piercing Incendiary-Tracer, M20 
Used by M2 and M85 machine guns, and the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle. The cartridge combines the functions of the armor piercing and the incendiary bullet, and is used against flammable targets and light-armored or unarmored targets, concrete shelters, and similar bullet-resisting targets. This tracer is dim at near ranges, but increases to bright as it moves further from the gun. Armor Penetration. 500 meters: 0.83 in (21 mm) 1,200 meters: 0.43 in (11 mm) Incendiary composition: 27 grains (1.74 gm) IM 161 Trace range: 328 - 1,914 yards (300 - 1,750 m) Tracer: R256 http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/50_ammo.html (8 of 13)3/10/2005 4:09:19 PM 
Used by M2 machine gun with the M3 Recoil Amplifier. The cartridge is intended for scaled range training purposes, where range restrictions limit or prohibit the use of one of the other types of live ammunition. Maximum range: 765 yards (700 m) The cartridge is identified by the blue bullet and case which are molded into one piece with high density polyethylene plastic. Type Classification: STD. Type Classification Date: 24-MAY-1983 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Tracer, Plastic Practice M860 
Used by M2 machine gun with the M3 Recoil Amplifier. The cartridge tracer is intended for scaled range training to permit visible observation of the bullet's in-flight path or trajectory to the point of impact. The cartridge is intended for use with the M858 Plastic Practice Ball Cartridge. Maximum range: 765 yards (700 m) Trace range: 22 - 164 yards (20 - 150 m) Tracer: DAG9591254/4 The cartridge is identified by a red bullet tip and the blue bullet and case which are molded into one piece with high density polyethylene plastic. Type Classification: STD. Type Classification Date: 24-MAY-1983 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP), M903
Used by M2HB machine gun. The SLAP is used in combat against current and future light armored targets and Armored Attack Helicopters (AAHs). The M903 offers the capability to defeat these targets at ranges two to three times that of currently available ammunition. Armor Penetration. 500 meters: 1.34 in (34 mm) 1,200 meters: 0.91 in (23 mm) Projectile diameter: 0.30 inches (7.7 mm) The cartridge consists of a heavy metal (tungsten) penetrator that is sabot-launched at a much higher velocity than standard rounds. The sabot, which is designed to break up at the muzzle to release the penetrator, must also survive the gun environment until launch. It 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). Type Classification: STD. Type Classification Date: 31-MAR-1993. Unit cost: $8.87 (Fiscal Year 2005). 
Cartridge, Caliber .50, Saboted Light Armor Penetrator-Tracer (SLAP-T), M962Used by M2HB machine gun. For use against light armor vehicles and aircraft with the additional tracer feature. This round is also for use in M1-series Abrams Tank gunnery training using a subcaliber insert. Projectile diameter: 0.30 inches (7.7 mm) Tracer: R543 The Saboted Light Armor Penetrator with Tracer (SLAP-T), M962 cartridge consists of a tungsten alloy penetrator of the same mass as the Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP), M903. The sabot, which is designed to break up at the muzzle to release the penetrator, must also survive the gun environment until launch. It is injection molded of special high strength plastic and is reinforced with an aluminum insert in the base section. The tungsten alloy penetrator has a slot in the base to insure full spin-up before separation from the sabot at the muzzle. The penetrator base is cored out to accommodate a trace mix composition. The cartridge is identified by a red sabot (Ultem 1000). Type Classification: STD. Type Classification Date: 31-MAR-1993. Unit cost: $12.85 (Fiscal Year 2005). 
AMMUNITION EFFECTSThe .50 caliber round is optimized for penetration at long ranges (about 875 yards, or 800 meters). For hard targets, .50 caliber penetration is affected by obliquity and range. The .50 caliber round can penetrate all of the commonly found urban barriers except a sand- filled 55-gallon drum. Continued and concentrated machine gun fire can breach most typical urban walls. Such fire cannot breach thick reinforced concrete structures or dense natural stone walls. Internal walls, partitions, plaster, floors, ceilings, common office furniture, home appliances, and bedding can be easily penetrated by .50 caliber rounds. Number of rounds needed to penetrate a reinforced concrete wall at 25° obliquity. Penetration capabilities of a single .50 caliber M2 AP round fired from a 45-inch barrel. 
50BMGammo.pdf 261K (for those that want the hard copy) |
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