- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
I was doing some research for another thread and came across some interesting info.
The very first "assault rifle" was the German StG-44 near the end of WWII. It fired an intermediate power cartridge with select fire capability. The intermediate cartridge allowed longer range like a rifle cartridge, but more controllable full auto like a pistol cartridge.
The round was the 7.92x33. It fired a 123 grain bullet at about 2200 fps. The standard German Army rifle at the time, fired a 7.92mm diameter bullet.
The US, when they went to select fire for common troops, stayed with pretty much a full power rifle cartridge with the 7.62x51 (147 grain bullet at 2700 fps to start) in the M14. As did many other countries (FN FAL, etc). But interestingly, the FN FAL was originally designed for the 7.92x33 German intermediate cartridge. The US pushed NATO into keeping a full power cartridge. The Brits wanted the .280 British round, which fired a 139 grain bullet at about 2500 fps.
The Soviets went with the AK-47 firing the famous 7.62x39 round. The 7.62 caliber was the standard for the Soviet/Russian main rifle (7.62x54R). The AK/7.62x39 fired a 123 grain bullet at about 2400 fps.
The US finally realized that full power rifle cartridges were not the answer for most soldiers. They did not need the very long range performance, and the full power rounds were not controllable in full auto for most people.
So we went really small with the 5.56x45 (.223) round. Initially firing a 55 grain bullet at 3300 fps. This was later changed to a 62 grain bullet at 3100 fps, and some special ops use 77 grain bullets at 2750 fps.
The Soviets followed with the 5.54x39, in the AK-74, firing a 53 or 56 grain bullet at 2900 fps. But most of the world suing Soviet firearms stuck with the AK47/7.62x39. Interestingly, the Soviets developed a subsonic round firing an 80 grain bullet at about 1000 fps. See the other thread about subsonic .223.
And now days, we have a number of people firing .300 BlackOut, which is a cut down 5.56x45 case, firing a 7.62 mm bullet (same diameter at the 7.62x51). And a normal supersonic load is a 125 grain bullet at 2200 fps.
HMMMMM, 7.92x33 was 123 grain at 2200, 7.62x39 is 123 grains at 2400 fps. .300 BO is 125 grains at 2200 fps.
Seems we have come full circle.
There are other cartridges that are similar ballistics, 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendal (a bit hotter at 123 grains at 2650 fps), etc.
The very first "assault rifle" was the German StG-44 near the end of WWII. It fired an intermediate power cartridge with select fire capability. The intermediate cartridge allowed longer range like a rifle cartridge, but more controllable full auto like a pistol cartridge.
The round was the 7.92x33. It fired a 123 grain bullet at about 2200 fps. The standard German Army rifle at the time, fired a 7.92mm diameter bullet.
The US, when they went to select fire for common troops, stayed with pretty much a full power rifle cartridge with the 7.62x51 (147 grain bullet at 2700 fps to start) in the M14. As did many other countries (FN FAL, etc). But interestingly, the FN FAL was originally designed for the 7.92x33 German intermediate cartridge. The US pushed NATO into keeping a full power cartridge. The Brits wanted the .280 British round, which fired a 139 grain bullet at about 2500 fps.
The Soviets went with the AK-47 firing the famous 7.62x39 round. The 7.62 caliber was the standard for the Soviet/Russian main rifle (7.62x54R). The AK/7.62x39 fired a 123 grain bullet at about 2400 fps.
The US finally realized that full power rifle cartridges were not the answer for most soldiers. They did not need the very long range performance, and the full power rounds were not controllable in full auto for most people.
So we went really small with the 5.56x45 (.223) round. Initially firing a 55 grain bullet at 3300 fps. This was later changed to a 62 grain bullet at 3100 fps, and some special ops use 77 grain bullets at 2750 fps.
The Soviets followed with the 5.54x39, in the AK-74, firing a 53 or 56 grain bullet at 2900 fps. But most of the world suing Soviet firearms stuck with the AK47/7.62x39. Interestingly, the Soviets developed a subsonic round firing an 80 grain bullet at about 1000 fps. See the other thread about subsonic .223.
And now days, we have a number of people firing .300 BlackOut, which is a cut down 5.56x45 case, firing a 7.62 mm bullet (same diameter at the 7.62x51). And a normal supersonic load is a 125 grain bullet at 2200 fps.
HMMMMM, 7.92x33 was 123 grain at 2200, 7.62x39 is 123 grains at 2400 fps. .300 BO is 125 grains at 2200 fps.
Seems we have come full circle.
There are other cartridges that are similar ballistics, 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendal (a bit hotter at 123 grains at 2650 fps), etc.
