12.7x108 mm
Type	Anti-tank rifle, Heavy machine gun
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	Late 1930s to present
Used by	Soviet Union and successor states
Wars	WWII
Specifications
Bullet diameter	12.98 mm (0.511 in)
Neck diameter	13.95 mm (0.549 in)
Shoulder diameter	18.90 mm (0.744 in)
Base diameter	21.75 mm (0.856 in)
Rim diameter	21.70 mm (0.854 in)
Rim thickness	1.90 mm (0.075 in)
Case length	108 mm (4.3 in)
Overall length	147.50 mm (5.807 in)
Case capacity	22.72 cm³ (351 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure	360 MPa (52,000 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
52.0 g (802 gr) API B32	860 m/s (2,800 ft/s)	19,230 J (14,180 ft·lbf)
Test barrel length: 1346 mm Source: www.quarry.nildram.co.uk

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 on the battlefield, and will destroy unarmored vehicles, penetrate lightly armored vehicles and damage external ancillary equipment on heavily armored vehicles such as tanks.^[1] Armor-piercing .50 cal ammunition will penetrate around 25 mm of armor. Normal full metal jacket .50 cal ammunition will only dimple tank armor, causing no damage.

In the Finnish Defence Forces, the NSV chambered in 12.7 x 108 is used primarily in an anti-aircraft role by all branches.^[2]

Contents 1 Cartridge dimensions 2 Incorrect interchangability claims 3 Firearms using this cartridge 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Cartridge dimensions

The 12.7x108mm 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 12.7x108mm case can handle up to 360 MPa (52,213 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.

[edit] 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 rounds 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.

[edit] Firearms using this cartridge

• DShK heavy machine gun
• Berezin UB aircraft machine gun
• NSV heavy machine gun
• Kord heavy machine gun
• Type 77 Heavy Machine Gun
• W85 Heavy Machine Gun
• V-94 anti-tank/anti-materiel rifle
• KSVK anti-materiel sniper rifle
• Gepard anti-materiel rifles
• M93 sniper rifle

[edit] See also

• .50 BMG
• Anti-materiel rifle

[edit] References

• Koll, Christian (2009). Soviet Cannon - A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm. Austria: Koll. p. 72. ISBN 978-3-200-01445-9. http://www.russianammo.org. 

[edit] External links

• Russian Ammunition Page