Ballistics Chart for Military Ammunition

This ballistics chart shows basic data for ammunition in use by the United States Armed Forces.

5.56mm Ammunition Ballistics Chart

Cartridge	Weight	Length	Propellant Type	Propellant Weight	Bullet Weight	Chamber Pressure	Velocity
5.56mm Ball, M193	182gr	2.26″	WC844 or CMR170	28.5 or 26.5gr	56gr	52,000psi	3250fps at 15′ from muzzle
5.56mm Grenade, M195	126gr	1.9″	IMR4475	25gr	56gr		140-165fps at 66″ from muzzle
5.56mm Tracer, M196	177gr	2.26″	WC844 or IMR8208M	28.5gr, 25.3gr or CMR170 26.5gr	54gr	52,000psi	3200fps at 15′ from muzzle
5.56mm Ball, M855	190gr	2.26″	WC844	26.1gr	62gr	55,000psi	3025fps at 78′ from muzzle
5.56mm Tracer, M856	191gr	2.26″	WC844	24.7gr	63.7gr	55,000psi	2870fps at 78′ from muzzle
5.56mm Armor Piercing, M995	180gr	2.25″	WCR845	27.5gr	52gr	50,250psi	3324fps at 78′ from muzzle

7.62mm Ammunition Ballistics Chart

Cartridge	Weight	Length	Propellant Type	Propellant Weight	Bullet Weight	Chamber Pressure	Velocity
7.62mm Ball, M59	393gr	2.8″	WC846	46gr	150.5gr	50,000psi	2750fps at 78′ from muzzle
7.62mm Armor Piercing, M61	393gr	2.8″	IMR4475	41gr	150.5gr	50,000psi	2750fps at 78′ from muzzle
7.62mm Tracer, M62	383gr	2.8″	WC846	46gr	142gr	50,000psi	2750fps at 78′ from muzzle
7.62mm Grenade, M64	295gr	2″	WC8:30	45gr	142gr	50,000psi	160fps at 5′ from muzzle
7.62mm Ball, Special, M118	390gr	2.83″	WC846 and IMR4895	44gr	172gr	50,000psi	2640fps at
7.62mm Dim Tracer, M276	381gr	2.8″	WC846	46gr	140-150gr	50,000psi	2750fps (CMRS), 2680fps (GM) at 78′ from muzzle
7.62mm Armor Piercing, M993	362.6gr	2.8″	Bonfors NC1290	45gr	126.6gr	55,115psi	2985fps at 78′ from muzzle

Caliber .50 Ammunition Ballistics Chart

Cartridge	Weight	Length	Propellant Type	Propellant Weight	Bullet Weight	Chamber Pressure	Velocity
Caliber .50 Incendiary, M1	1744gr	5.45″	WC860	240gr		54,000psi	2950fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Tracer, M1	1785gr	5.45″	IMR5010	240gr		52,000psi	2700fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Ball, M2	1813gr	5.45″	WC860	235gr		55,000psi	2810fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Armor Piercing, M2	1812gr	5.45″	WC860	235gr		53,000psi	2810fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Armor Piercing Incendiary, M8	1gr	5.45″	WC860	233gr	622.5gr	59,000psi	2910fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Tracer, M10	1752gr	5.45″	IMR5010	240gr		54,000psi	2860fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Tracer, M17	1732gr	5.45″	IMR5010	225gr		54,000psi	2860fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Armor Piercing Incendiary-Tracer, M20	1718gr	5.45″	IMR5010	230gr	619gr	55,000psi	2910fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Incendiary, M23	1581gr	5.45″	IMR4831	237gr		58,000psi	3400fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Ball, M33	1762gr	5.45″	WC860	235gr		55,000psi	2910fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP), M903	1466gr	5.45″	WC856	275gr	355-360gr	55,000psi	4000fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator-Tracer (SLAP-T), M962	1466gr	5.45″	WC856	282gr	350-360gr	55,000psi	4000fps at 78′ from muzzle
Caliber .50 Armor Penetrator Incendiary (API), MK 211 MOD 0	1765gr	5.45″	WC860 / MR5010 or RA-NC-167	233gr	671gr	55,000psi	2910fps +30 at 78′ from muzzle

Books on Ballistics and Ammunition

Stopping Power: A Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition

Evan Marshall and Ed Sanow rocked the firearms world with the release of Handgun Stopping Power and Street Stoppers. Both books predicted the effectiveness of all types of ammunition by studying the results of real-life shootings rather than relying on laboratory tests that ignored the dynamics of an actual gunfight. This third book in the series provides the very latest street results of all the major handgun calibers, from .22 LR to .45 ACP, as well as popular rifle and shotgun loads. It also contains chapters on short-barrel ballistics, the emergence of the hot new .357 SIG caliber, the continued success of the .40 S&W, the development of the latest exotic ammo, the effectiveness of black powder firearms and a brand-new ammo test protocol based on the results of the many gunfights of U.S. Border Patrol officers.

Handgun Stopping Power : The Definitive Study

Dramatic first-hand accounts of the results of handgun rounds fired into criminals by cops, storeowners, cabbies and others are the heart and soul of this long-awaited book. This is the definitive methodology for predicting the stopping power of handgun loads, the first to take into account what really happens when a bullet meets a man.

Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques, Second Edition

Written by the nation’s foremost authority on gunshot wounds and forensic techniques as they relate to firearm injuries, Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques, Second Edition provides critical information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. The book describes practical aspects of ballistics, wound ballistics, and the classification of various wounds caused by handguns, bang guns, rifles, and shotguns. The final chapters explain autopsy technique and procedure and laboratory analysis relating to weapons and gunshot evidence.

Frangible Ammunition: The New Wave in Firearms Ammunition

Frangible Ammunition represents the first viable revolutionary change to firearms science in the past 100 years! A polymer-compound round that produces no splashback and vastly decreased ricochets, frangible ammo is ideal for marksmanship training for both indoor and outdoor ranges, tactical team training, close-in engagement of metal targets and specialized service use. As such, it is the safest full-power training ammo for police and military shooters, civilian range owners and casual shooters. Despite its widespread acceptance, however, there has been no in-depth study of this cutting-edge round . . . until now. This book remedies that by teaching the potential user what a frangible round is, what they can and cannot be used for, how to construct safe training devices and facilities and the proper street and service uses for the round.

Cartridges of the World (Cartridges of the World)

 

This benchmark volume is the foremost source for cartridge information. Hunters, target shooters, military history buffs, ammunition reloaders and cartridge collectors alike will find all the answers to their cartridge and shotshell questions in this comprehensive book that includes 1,500+ cartridges.

This reference book includes detailed photos, dimensional drawings and loading data. Descriptions of obsolete American cartridges tell the tale of ammunition used by settlers, cowboys and outlaws during the nation’s westward expansion, and offer insights into unusual rounds that never caught on. Hunters and shooters can improve their success with the useful ballistics tables.

Handloader’s Digest: The World’s Greatest Handloading Book (Handloader’s Digest, 18th ed)

Handloaders are meticulous hobbyists who constantly search for better loads, components, and the tools to assemble cartridges. They expect the best from their components and tools, and this updated digest is an assemblage of authoritative articles discussing various facets of the reloading hobby. New indepth articles from expert writers cover casting bullets, working handloads, choosing the right components for the job, new techniques, ballistics, reloading safety, and much more. Enthusiasts will gain insight into new reloading trends, as well as available equipment and accessories from major manufacturers. Extensive and valuable reference information includes listings of all handloading periodicals and books, plus directories of products and manufacturers.

ABC’s of Reloading (ABC’s of Reloading)

Starting with the basics, this guide leads the reader through the process of reloading with ease. Perfect for beginners and a great refresher for experienced reloaders, the book first discusses all the necessary tools and accessories needed to get started, then goes through step-by-step instructions and safety tips for loading your own metallic cartridges and shotshells. Helpful illustrations guide readers through each step and make the process easy to understand. The ABC’s of Reloading covers all aspects of the hobby, from benchrest loading techniques, to ballistic software, to competition and hunting loads and more. It also includes a comprehensive directory of reloading manufacturers. The guide carefully pieces together steps and techniques for reloading into an understandable process, outlining the basic procedures and providing information on cartridge cases, primers, powders, bullets, equipment and much more, putting beginners on the road to becoming experts!

Metallic Cartridge Reloading

 

Gun Digest Book of Handgun Reloading

 

Reloading for Shotgunners (Reloading for Shotgunners)

 

The Ultimate in Rifle Accuracy: A Handbook for Those Who Seek the Ultimate in Rifle Accuracy; Whether It Be for Competition, Testing, or Hunting

 

Ammo and Ballistics

All you ever needed to know about ammunition has finally been collected in one volume!

Understanding Firearm Ballistics

The original text of Understanding Ballistics has been edited, improved, & expanded with up-to-date information. Throughout are more formulas, detailed explainations & examples, more draawings, charts, and technical details explaining basic to advanced firearm ballistics, in a simplified and easy to follow style. This is the newest edition of the bible of the shooting sports. A must for all police officers, hunters, target shooters, handloaders, whether begineer or expert. This book is a “gotta have.”

The Hunter’s Guide to Ballistics: Practical Advice on How to Choose Guns and Loads, and Use them Effectively

Now for the first time, here is a book written specifically for hunters about the guns and loads that they use. In this complete and fully illustrated digest, you’ll read about such diverse topics as: how to improve your long-range shooting; how to shoot accurately in winds of any speed or direction; how to solve the problems associated with shooting up and down hills; what causes mirage and how to read it; why some bullets shoot tighter groups farther away; how gunpowder is made; why bullets that move left also rise; which cartridges are suitable for everything plus comprehensive ballistics tables.

Modern Sporting Rifle Cartridges

 

Ammo and Ballistics II

 

Shotshells and Ballistics

There is a bewildering array of commercially loaded shotgun shells for sale, from the .410 to the 10-gauge. In fact, there are more types of shells and shot sizes on the market now than ever before. With the overwhelming selection of shells available, here, finally, is a practical, reasonably priced book that makes sense of it all. It lists commercially available shotshell loads from the .410-bore to the 10-gauge, in all shot sizes available, different shot types (lead, steel, bismuth, tungsten, and others) so that the shooter or hunter can quickly find what will be best for the gun he has and the game or targets he wants to shoot. Each shotgun shell with each loading has its own table–over 1,600 tables!!–showing shot size; weight of shot; recoil; average number of pellets in the shell; manufacturer’s order number; shell length and type of hull; type of wad; and whether the shot is buffered or not. In addition, each table contains data that details velocity (in 10-yard intervals from 0 to 70 yards); average pellet energy; and time of flight in seconds. This book includes complete ballistic tables for every hull length and every shot-size load made from the following manufacturers: Aguila Ammunition, Armscor, ARMUSA, Baschieri & Pellagri, Bismuth Cartridge Company, Brenneke, Clever s.r.l., Dionisi, Eley Hawk, Estate Cartridge Company, Federal, Fiocchi, Gamebore, Hevi-Shot (now loaded exclusively by Remington), Kent, Lightfield, PMC, Polywad, Remington, RIO, RST, Sellier & Bellot, and Winchester. In addition, this informative reference contains authoritative articles on the history and development of shotshells and the components and technical data that govern the production of shotshells. Never before has so much information on shotshells and ballistics been placed in a single book. Accentuated with photos from the field and the range, this is a reference book unlike any other.