12.7x108mm
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| 12.7x108 mm | ||
|---|---|---|
 Russian 12.7x108mm cartridges |
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| 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 | 13.00 mm (0.512 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 |
| 48.2 g (744 gr) API B32 | 817 m/s (2,680 ft/s) | 16,086 J (11,864 ft·lbf) |
| Source: Russian Ammunition Page | ||
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, including armored vehicles, as proven in both Iraqi wars. An M1A2 tank was damaged by what the analysts believed was 12.7 mm fire from either a NSV or DShK machine gun at the gates of Baghdad International Airport on April 4 2003.[1] [2]
In the Finnish Defence Forces, the NSV chambered in 12.7 x 108 is used primarily in an anti-aircraft role by all branches.[3]
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[edit] Cartridge dimensions
The 12.7x108 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 12.7 x 108 case can handle up to 360 MPa (52213 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 weapons 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
- NSV heavy machine gun
- Kord heavy machine gun
- V-94 anti-tank/anti-material rifle
- KSVK anti-materiel sniper rifle
- Gepard anti-materiel rifle series
- M93 sniper rifle
