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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]]
 
 
 
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.  
  
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.
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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==
 
 
===Enhanced penetration cartridges===
 
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.
 
 
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&nbsp;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.
 
 
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>
 
 
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>
 
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
 
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>
 
 
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"/>
 
 
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.
 
 
===Tracer cartridges===
 
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).
 
 
===Training and instruction cartridges===
 
[[File:7H4.jpg|thumb|7H4 training or dummy cartridges.]]
 
 
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>
 
 
For instruction purposes the '''7H4''' training or dummy cartridge (which has longitudinal grooves) was developed.
 
 
===Special purpose cartridges===
 
For special purposes the '''7U1''' subsonic cartridge with a black and green painted meplat and '''CAP''' cartridge for underwater were developed.
 
 
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).
 
 
===Basic specifications===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Cartridge designation
 
! 7N6M
 
! 7N10
 
! 7N22
 
! 7N24
 
! 7T3 (tracer)
 
! 7Kh3 (training)
 
|-
 
! Cartridge weight
 
| 10.5 g (162 gr)
 
| 10.7 g (165 gr)
 
| 10.75 g (166 gr)
 
| 11.20 g (173 gr)
 
| 10.3 g (159 gr)
 
| 6.65 g (103 gr)
 
|-
 
! Bullet weight
 
| 3.43 g (52.9 gr)
 
| 3.62 g (55.9 gr)
 
| 3.69 g (56.9 gr)
 
| 4.15 g (64.0 gr)
 
| 3.23 g (49.8 gr)
 
| 0.24 g (3.7 gr)
 
|-
 
! Muzzle velocity
 
| 880 m/s (2,887 ft/s)
 
| 880 m/s (2,887 ft/s)
 
| 890 m/s (2,920 ft/s)
 
| 840 m/s (2,756 ft/s)
 
| 883 m/s (2,897 ft/s)
 
|
 
|-
 
! Muzzle energy
 
| 1,328 J (979 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,402 J (1,034 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,461 J (1,078 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,464 J (1,080 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,259 J (929 ft·lbf)
 
|
 
|-
 
! Accuracy of fire at300 m (328 yd) (R50)
 
| 75 mm (3.0 in)
 
| 90 mm (3.5 in)
 
| 90 mm (3.5 in)
 
| 96 mm (3.8 in)
 
| 140 mm (5.5 in)
 
|
 
|}
 
 
* <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>
 
* <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>
 
 
==Civil use==
 
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>
 
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>
 
 
===Commercial 5.45×39mm ammunition===
 
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>
 
[[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>
 
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>
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Cartridge designation
 
! Hornady V-MAX
 
! WOLF PerformanceFMJ HP
 
! WOLF Military Classic FMJ
 
! WOLF Military Classic HPSP
 
! Barnaul FMJBT
 
! Barnaul SPBT
 
! Barnaul HPBT
 
! TULAMMO FMJ
 
! TULAMMO HP
 
|-
 
| Bullet weight
 
| 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
 
| 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
 
| 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
 
| 3.565 g (55.0 gr)
 
| 3.85 g (59.4 gr)
 
| 3.56 g (54.9 gr)
 
| 3.56 g (54.9 gr)
 
| 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
 
| 3.89 g (60.0 gr)
 
|-
 
| Muzzle velocity
 
| 856.5 m/s (2,810 ft/s)
 
| 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
 
| 860 m/s (2,822 ft/s)
 
| 881 m/s (2,890 ft/s)
 
| 860 m/s (2,822 ft/s)
 
| 878 m/s (2,881 ft/s)
 
| 883 m/s (2,897 ft/s)
 
| 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
 
| 895 m/s (2,936 ft/s)
 
|-
 
| Muzzle energy
 
| 1,427 J (1,053 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,439 J (1,061 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,384 J (1,021 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,424 J (1,050 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,372 J (1,012 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,388 J (1,024 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
 
| 1,558 J (1,149 ft·lbf)
 
|}
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[7.62×39mm]]
 
*[[5.45×18mm]]
 
*[[Table of cartridges]]
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

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