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| ==Wounding effects== | | ==Wounding effects== |
− | [[File:AK-74 5.45x39mm wound ballistics.gif|thumb|300px|AK-74 5.45×39mm wound ballistics]]
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| Early ballistics tests done demonstrated a pronounced tumbling effect with high speed cameras.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3912/is_200112/ai_n9010648/pg_3 Terminal ballistics of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle: Two wounded patients and experimental findings]</ref> Some Western authorities believed this bullet was designed to tumble in flesh to increase wounding potential. | | Early ballistics tests done demonstrated a pronounced tumbling effect with high speed cameras.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3912/is_200112/ai_n9010648/pg_3 Terminal ballistics of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle: Two wounded patients and experimental findings]</ref> Some Western authorities believed this bullet was designed to tumble in flesh to increase wounding potential. |
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− | At the time, it was believed that [[yaw]]ing and [[cavitation]] of projectiles was primarily responsible for tissue damage. Non-Soviet alarmists feared that this new cartridge had achieved wounding parity with the [[5.56x45mm NATO]] round. To dispute this, [[Martin Fackler]] conducted a study using live pigs and [[ballistic gelatin]] demonstrating that the 5.45 mm round does not reliably fragment or cause unusual amounts of tissue disruption. <ref>[http://www.btammolabs.com/fackler/ak74_wounding_potential.pdf Wounding Potential of the AK-74 Assault Rifle]</ref> Most organs and tissue were too flexible to be severely damaged by the temporary cavity effect caused by yaw and cavitation of a projectile. With the 5.45 mm bullet, tumbling produced a temporary cavity twice, at depths of 100 and 400 mm. This is comparable to modern 7.62x39mm ammunition and to (non-fragmenting) 5.56 mm ammunition. The average width of a human trunk is 400 mm. | + | At the time, it was believed that yawing and cavitation of projectiles was primarily responsible for tissue damage. Non-Soviet alarmists feared that this new cartridge had achieved wounding parity with the [[5.56x45mm NATO]] round. To dispute this, [[Martin Fackler|Fackler]] conducted a study using live pigs and [[ballistic gelatin]] demonstrating that the 5.45 mm round does not reliably fragment or cause unusual amounts of tissue disruption. <ref>[http://www.btammolabs.com/fackler/ak74_wounding_potential.pdf Wounding Potential of the AK-74 Assault Rifle]</ref> Most organs and tissue were too flexible to be severely damaged by the temporary cavity effect caused by yaw and cavitation of a projectile. With the 5.45 mm bullet, tumbling produced a temporary cavity twice, at depths of 100 and 400 mm. This is comparable to modern 7.62x39mm ammunition and to (non-fragmenting) 5.56 mm ammunition. The average width of a human trunk is 400 mm. |
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− | Military 5.45×39mm rounds offer better penetration over (fragmenting) military 5.56×45mm NATO rounds.<ref name="frfrogspad.com">http://www.frfrogspad.com/terminal2.htm | Military rifle bullet wound patterns comparison charts – by Martin L. Fackler.</ref><ref name="Russian AK-74 Assault Rifle 1984">http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Fackler_Articles/ak74_wounding_potential.pdf Wounding Potential of the Russian AK-74 Assault Rifle. Martin L. Fackler MD. John S. Surinchak MA. John A. Malinowski BS. & Robert E. Bowin. The Journal of Trauma 1984. The Williams & Wilkins Co. Vol. 24, No. 3</ref> However, unlike its 5.56mm counterpart, the 5.45mm round “does not deform or fragment when striking soft tissues.”<ref name="frfrogspad.com"/><ref name="Russian AK-74 Assault Rifle 1984"/> Nevertheless, during the Soviet Afghan war the Mujahedeen called the 5.45×39mm round the "Poison Bullet" due to the severe wounds it was reputed to produce to extremities and the resulting need to amputate.<ref>The Gun Digest Book of the AK & SKS: A Complete Guide to Guns, Gear and Ammunition. By Patrick Sweeney. Gun Digest Books, 2009. page 104-105</ref><ref>Gun Digest Book of The Tactical Rifle: A User's Guide. By Patrick Sweeney. Krause Publications, 2011. page 151</ref><ref>http://www.atncorp.com/night-vision-reviews/SPEC-WEAPONS-09-PS23-CGT.pdf Tandal AK-74S 5.45mm Bringing the AK into the 21st century with modular capability! By Charlie Cutshaw Photos by Doug Richardson. SPECIAL WEAPONS 2009. page 32-37</ref>
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| ==Anti-armor effect== | | ==Anti-armor effect== |
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− | ==5.45×39mm cartridge variants==
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− | ===Enhanced penetration cartridges===
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− | As [[body armor]] saw increasing use in militaries, the original 7N6 standard service cartridge bullet construction was changed several times to improve penetration. This resulted in the 7N6M, 7N10, 7N22 and 7N24 variants.
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− | The '''7N6M''' (M—Russian: ''Модернизированный''; ''Modernizirovanniy'' or "modernized") cartridge was introduced in 1987. In contrast to the original 7N6 unhardened steel rod penetrator the 7N6M rod penetrator is made of steel 65 and hardened to 60 [[wikipedia:Rockwell scale|HRC]]. The 7N6M 3.43 g (52.9 gr) boat-tail bullet can penetrate a 6 mm thick St3 steel plate at 300 m and 6Zh85T body armour at 80 m. 7N6(M) bullets have a red identification ring above the cartridge neck.
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− | The US Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory measured a [[ballistic coefficient]] (G7 BC) of 0.168 and form factor (G7 ''i'') of 0.929 for the 7N6(M) projectile, which indicates good aerodynamic efficiency and external ballistic performance for the bullet diameter.<ref>[http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/The%20Next%20Generation.htm The Case for a General-Purpose Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridge (GPC) by Anthony G Williams]</ref><ref>[http://www.bergerbullets.com/form-factors-a-useful-analysis-tool/ Form Factors: A Useful Analysis Tool by Bryan Litz, Chief Ballistician Berger Bullets]</ref>
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− | The [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] classified the 7N6 cartridge as "armor piercing handgun ammunition" on 7 April 2014, and, as such, it is illegal to import from Russia to the United States.<ref>[http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2014/04/040714-special-advisory-test-examination-and-classification-7n6-545x39-ammunition.html Test, Examination and Classification of 7N6 5.45x39 Ammunition ATF Special Advisory at www.atf.gov]</ref>
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− | The '''7N10''' "improved penetration" cartridge was introduced in 1992. The 7N10 boat-tail bullet weighs 3.60 g (55.6 gr) and the weight of the lengthened sleeker steel (high-carbon steel U12A) penetrator made of steel 70 was increased to 1.80 g (27.8 gr) and the lead plug in front of it was discarded. The hollow cavity at the front of these projectiles was reduced significantly compared to previous 7N6(M) projectiles.
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− | In 1994 the 7N10 design was improved by filling the remaining hollow cavity in the projectiles front with lead and reducing the weight of the penetrator to 1.72 g (26.5 gr) resulting in a bullet weighing 3.62 g (55.9 gr). Upon impacting a hard target, soft lead is pressed sideways by the steel penetrator, tearing the jacket.
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− | The 7N10 cartridge replaced the previous variants as standard Russian service round and can penetrate a 16 mm thick St3 steel plate at 100 m and 6Zh85T body armour at 200 m.<ref name="Evolution of the 5.45 mm bullet">{{cite web|url=http://grigorew.narod.ru/raznoe/kal545.htm|title=Evolution of the 5.45 mm bullet}} (in Russian)</ref> 7N10 bullets have a violet/purple identification ring above the cartridge neck. The 7N10 and 7N6(M) cartridges have practically identical external ballistic characteristics, meaning they can share identical sighting lines and optics on firearms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gunsru.ru/rg_patron_5_45x39_eng.html|title=5.45x39 submachine gun cartridges}}</ref>
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− | The '''7N22''' armour-piercing bullet, introduced in 1998, has a 1.75 g (27.0 gr) sharp-pointed steel penetrator made of steel U12A and retains the soft lead plug in the nose for jacket discarding. 7N22 boat-tail bullets weigh 3.69 g (56.9 gr) and can be identified by their red identification ring above the cartridge neck and a black tip.<ref name="Evolution of the 5.45 mm bullet"/>
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− | The '''7N24''' "super-armor-piercing" cartridge, introduced in 1999, has a stub cone nosed penetrator made of [[tungsten carbide]] (hard alloy VK8). The 7N24 round is loaded with a 4.15 g (64.0 gr) projectile containing a 2.1 g (32.4 gr) penetrator which is fired with a muzzle velocity of 840 m/s (2,756 ft/s) yielding 1,464 J (1,080 ft·lbf) muzzle energy. 7N24 bullets have a black identification ring above the cartridge neck.
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− | ===Tracer cartridges===
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− | Besides that the [[tracer ammunition|tracer cartridges]] 7T3 and 7T3M were developed. These bullets can be identified by their green marked tips. The 3.23 g (50 gr) tracer projectile has a shorter ogival profile and for 7T3 ammunition burns out to 800 m (870 yd) and for 7T3M ammunition ignites at 50 m (55 yd) burning out to 850 m (930 yd).
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− | ===Training and instruction cartridges===
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− | [[File:7H4.jpg|thumb|7H4 training or dummy cartridges.]]
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− | For training purposes the [[blank cartridge]]s '''7H3''', '''7H3M''' and '''7Kh3''' were developed. These rounds have a hollow white plastic imitation projectile. When these training rounds are used, the barrel of the gun is fitted at the muzzle with a Blank Fire Adapter to produce a gas pressure build-up for cycling the gun, as well as a breakup aid for their plastic projectiles.<ref>[http://www.military-today.com/russian_land_forces.pdf Russian 5.45x39mm Assault Rifle Rounds, Land Forces Weapons Export Catalog, page 86]</ref>
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− | For instruction purposes the '''7H4''' training or dummy cartridge (which has longitudinal grooves) was developed.
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− | ===Special purpose cartridges===
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− | For special purposes the '''7U1''' subsonic cartridge with a black and green painted meplat and '''CAP''' cartridge for underwater were developed.
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− | The 7U1 subsonic cartridge weight is 11 g (170 gr) and is loaded with a 5.2 g (80 gr) projectile which is fired with a muzzle velocity of 303 m/s (994 ft/s) yielding 239 J (176 ft·lbf) muzzle energy. Accuracy of fire at 100 m (109 yd) (R50) is 35 mm (1.4 in).
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− | ===Basic specifications===
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− | {| class="wikitable"
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− | ! Cartridge designation
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− | ! 7N6M
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− | ! 7N10
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− | ! 7N22
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− | ! 7N24
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− | ! 7T3 (tracer)
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− | ! 7Kh3 (training)
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− | ! Cartridge weight
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− | | 10.5 g (162 gr)
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− | | 10.7 g (165 gr)
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− | | 10.75 g (166 gr)
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− | | 11.20 g (173 gr)
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− | | 10.3 g (159 gr)
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− | | 6.65 g (103 gr)
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− | |-
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− | ! Bullet weight
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− | | 3.43 g (52.9 gr)
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− | | 3.62 g (55.9 gr)
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− | | 3.69 g (56.9 gr)
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− | | 4.15 g (64.0 gr)
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− | | 3.23 g (49.8 gr)
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− | | 0.24 g (3.7 gr)
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− | |-
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− | ! Muzzle velocity
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− | | 880 m/s (2,887 ft/s)
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− | | 880 m/s (2,887 ft/s)
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− | | 890 m/s (2,920 ft/s)
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− | | 840 m/s (2,756 ft/s)
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− | | 883 m/s (2,897 ft/s)
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− | |-
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− | ! Muzzle energy
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− | | 1,328 J (979 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,402 J (1,034 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,461 J (1,078 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,464 J (1,080 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,259 J (929 ft·lbf)
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− | ! Accuracy of fire at300 m (328 yd) (R50)
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− | | 75 mm (3.0 in)
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− | | 90 mm (3.5 in)
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− | | 90 mm (3.5 in)
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− | | 96 mm (3.8 in)
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− | | 140 mm (5.5 in)
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− | |}
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− | * <small>R<sub>50</sub> at 300 m (328 yd) means the closest 50 percent of the shot group will all be within a circle of the mentioned diameter at 300 m (328 yd).</small>
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− | * <small>The twist rate used in the [[AK-74#AK-74M|AK-74M]] assault rifle that has been adopted as the new [[service rifle]] of the [[Russian Federation]] in 1991 is 200 mm (7.87 in).</small>
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− | ==Civil use==
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− | The 5.45×39mm was developed by the Soviet Union for military use and it was not intended to create civilian weapons in this chambering. When 5.45×39mm ammunition finally became available for sale to civilians, several arms manufacturers started to offer 5.45×39mm chambered ([[semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic]]) AK-74 platform arms for civilian use. Sometimes these AK-74 platform arms combine parts originating from Russia or other Eastern European countries and parts produced elsewhere.<ref name="Centerfire Systems">{{cite web | url=http://www.centerfiresystems.com/digitalpubs/latefall2014/centerfire-systems-late-fall-2014.html?utm_source=streamsend&utm_medium=email&utm_content=22536729&utm_campaign=Late%20Fall%202014%20Digital%20Catalog%20now%20online,%20plus%20free%20shipping%20on%20.223!#?page=10 | title=Centerfire Systems Late Fall 2014 online catalog | publisher=Centerfire Systems, Inc. | accessdate=12 December 2014 | pages=11}}</ref>
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− | Only a few civilian 5.45×39mm weapons were developed and commercially offered. Non AK-74 platform rifles and commercial offerings include the East German [[Ssg 82]] [[bolt action]] rifle and the Russian CRS-98 "Vepr-5, 45" semi-automatic carbine and [[Saiga semi-automatic rifle]]. In May 2008 the [[Smith & Wesson M&P15|Smith & Wesson M&P15R]] was introduced. This was a standard [[AR-15]] platform rifle chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge and was Smith & Wesson's first AR-variant rifle in a chambering other than 5.56×45mm NATO<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2008/06/05/smith-and-wesson-mp15r-new-ar15-platform-rifle-and-uppers-in-545x39/ |title= Smith and Wesson M&P15R: New AR15 Platform Rifle and Uppers in 5.45×39}}</ref> and is no longer in current (2012) production.<ref>[http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764984_-1_757785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y S&W PRODUCT ARCHIVE: Model M&P15R Rifle]</ref> The civilian version of the [[IMI Tavor TAR-21|Tavor TAR-21]] rifle produced for the US market includes an optional 5.45×39mm conversion kit.<ref>[http://www.iwi.us/tavor.html Israel Weapon Industries US Tavor website]</ref>
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− | ===Commercial 5.45×39mm ammunition===
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− | The US ammunition manufacturer [[Hornady]] produces commercial polymer-coated steel case 5.45×39mm ammunition loaded with 3.89 g (60.0 gr) polymer tipped V-MAX bullets with a stated [[ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of 0.285.<ref>[http://www.hornady.com/store/5.45X39-60-gr-V-MAX-Steel-Case/ 5.45X39 60 gr V-MAX™ Steel Case]</ref><ref>[http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ballistics/metric-ballistics-chart-2012.pdf HornadyMetric Ballistic Chart - 2012]</ref>
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− | [[Wolf Ammunition|WOLF Performance Ammunition]] offers several [[Berdan primer#Berdan primer|Berdan primed]] commercial 5.45×39mm loads.<ref>[http://www.wolfammo.com/pdf/WPA_2011_catalog.pdf WOLF Performance Ammunition 2011 catalog]</ref>
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− | The Russian ammunition manufacturer [[Barnaul Cartridge Plant]] also offers several Berdan primed commercial sporting and hunting 5.45×39mm cartridges. Barnaul states that their 5.45×39mm cartridges produce a maximal pressure of 294,2 MPa (41,054 psi) and have a bullet dispersion R<sub>100</sub> of 25 mm (1.0 in) at a range of 100 m (109 yd), meaning every shot of a shot group will be within a circle of the mentioned diameter at 100 m (109 yd).<ref>[http://eng.barnaulpatron.ru/production/sportshuntingcartridgescalibre/545.html Barnaul 5.45×39mm sporting and hunting cartridges]</ref> The American firearms corporation [[Century International Arms]] offers Ukrainian made 5.45×39mm cartridges with steel casings and bi-metal (copper/steel) jacketed bullets under the [[Red Army Standard Ammunition]] brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=• 5.45 x 39mm •|url=http://redarmystandard.com/545x39.html|publisher=Red Army Standard|accessdate=27 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=January 2014 Consumer Catalog|url=http://www.centuryarms.com/Consumer/JAN14Consumer/files/assets/common/downloads/Century%20Arms%20January%202014%20Catalog.pdf|page=24|publisher=Century International Arms|accessdate=27 May 2014|date=1 January 2014}}</ref> The Russian manufacturer [[Tula Arms Plant]] states that its [[Tula Ammunition]] cartridges comply with the 5.45×39mm C.I.P. rulings producing a maximal pressure of 302.7 MPa (43,900 psi) and keeps their qualities under various climatic and weather conditions independent of the season and at a temperature range from −50 to 50 °C (−58 to 122 °F).<ref>[http://www.webyshops.com/Product-Type/Ammo-pt/TULA-AMMO-5-45x39-60Gr-Full-Metal-Jacket-20-50-Steel-Cased-TA545390BX.html TULA AMMO 5.45x39, 60Gr, Full Metal Jacket 20/50 Steel Cased (TA545390BX)]</ref><ref>[http://tulammousa.com/products/centerfire-rifle-cartridges/5-45x39/#more-93 5.45×39 at http://tulammousa.com]</ref> Tula's 3.89 g (60.0 gr) [[full metal jacket bullet]] has a stated [[ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of 0.329 and its 3.89 g (60.0 gr) [[hollow-point bullet]] has a stated [[ballistic coefficient]] (G1 BC) of 0.301.<ref>[http://en.tulammo.ru/products/rifle_cartridges/545x39/ 5.45x39 FMJ at http://en.tulammo.ru]</ref><ref>[http://en.tulammo.ru/products/rifle_cartridges/545x39_hp/ 5.45x39 HP at http://en.tulammo.ru]</ref>
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− | {| class="wikitable"
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− | ! Cartridge designation
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− | ! Hornady V-MAX
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− | ! WOLF PerformanceFMJ HP
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− | ! WOLF Military Classic FMJ
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− | ! WOLF Military Classic HPSP
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− | ! Barnaul FMJBT
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− | ! Barnaul SPBT
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− | ! Barnaul HPBT
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− | ! TULAMMO FMJ
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− | ! TULAMMO HP
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− | | Bullet weight
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− | | 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
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− | | 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
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− | | 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
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− | | 3.565 g (55.0 gr)
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− | | 3.85 g (59.4 gr)
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− | | 3.56 g (54.9 gr)
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− | | 3.56 g (54.9 gr)
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− | | 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
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− | | 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
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− | |-
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− | | Muzzle velocity
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− | | 856.5 m/s (2,810 ft/s)
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− | | 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
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− | | 860 m/s (2,822 ft/s)
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− | | 881 m/s (2,890 ft/s)
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− | | 860 m/s (2,822 ft/s)
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− | | 878 m/s (2,881 ft/s)
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− | | 883 m/s (2,897 ft/s)
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− | | 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
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− | | 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
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− | |-
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− | | Muzzle energy
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− | | 1,427 J (1,053 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,439 J (1,061 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,384 J (1,021 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,424 J (1,050 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,372 J (1,012 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,388 J (1,024 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
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− | | 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
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− | |}
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− | ==See also==
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− | *[[7.62×39mm]]
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− | *[[5.45×18mm]]
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− | *[[Table of cartridges]]
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| == References == | | == References == |