The highest standard in ammunition due to the rigorous testing is Barrett ammo. It is inspected for velocity and accuracy. The weight of each powder charge, case and projectile are examined to ensure consistency. Cases are checked for dimensional acceptance and projectiles are checked for jacket thickness, run out and uniformity. Even the brass is inspected for hardness.
Keep reading to know more about barrett 50 cal ammo.
Barret 50 Cal Ammo
The ammo used in firearms is issued in metallic belts. These belts are designed of units of links and cartridges. Each link includes 1 loop secured around an adjacent cartridge and 2 loops secured around a single cartridge. The end cartridge doesn’t have links connected to it, unlike others that have 2 links attached to them.
The steel from which are cartridge links are made of doesn’t rust. They are tested and manufactured to assure proper ammo functioning and feeding under different conditions of service. M9 and M2 links are made with loops that are closed. These links fit on the shoulder of the cartridge when they assembled with them in link belts.
HORNADY MATCH .50 BMG – 10 ROUNDS
Links’ tapered front loops are positioned on the shoulder of the cartridge to hold it in correct alignment for feeding into the gun. The round needs to be dropped into the right position and extracted from the rear so it can move into the chamber. M9 and M2 links are designed for the M2 machine gun.
The M15A2 link includes positioning finger which snaps into cartridge’s extractor grooves to keep the round itself into correct feeding alignment, and it is designed with partially open loops. Design of the link allows a portion of bolt to move through openings of the loop and push the cartridges into the chamber. This particular link is being used with the M85 machine gun.
Cartridge Caliber .50 Tracer M17
This one is used by M85 and M2 machine guns. It is designed to provide visible observation of the bullet’s trajectory to the impact point. It is used for training purposes and limited to the continental U.S. A brown bullet tip classifies it.
Tracer: R256 Trace range: 2450 m or 2679 yards OBS MSR 11756003 – Type Classification
.50 Armor Piercing M2
M85 and M2 machine guns use this type of ammo. The cartridge can be used against concrete shelters, unarmored or light-armored targets and similar bullet-resisting marks. A black bullet tip classifies it.
Armor Penetration 500m: 19 mm or 0.75 inch 1200m: 10 mm or 0.39 inch OBS MSR 11756003 – Type Classification
.50 Incendiary M1
It is used by M85 and M2 machine guns for incendiary effects. Upon impact with an armored or hardened target, the composition of incendiary bursts into flame and will ignite any material that is flammable. A blue bullet tip classifies the cartridge.
Incendiary composition: 2.2 g or 34 grains IM11 OBS MSR 11756003 – Type Classification
PMC X-TAC
.50 BMG – 10 ROUNDS
.50 Armor Piercing Incendiary M8
The .50 Armor Piercing Incendiary is used by M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle, M85 and M2 machine guns. The cartridge combines the incendiary and M2 armor-piercing bullet’s incendiary. It is used against concrete shelters and unarmored or light-armored, flammable targets, or similar bullet resisting objects. It is also classified by an aluminum bullet tip.
Armor Penetration 500m 16 mm or 0.63 inch 1200m: 8 mm or 0.32 inch Incendiary composition: 0.97 g or 15 grains IM 11 OBS MSR 11756003 – Type Classification
.50 Incendiary M23
It is used by M85 and M2 machine guns. The cartridge is used against targets that are flammable. It is capable of initiating combustion of materials that are flammable, upon target impact at 160 m or 175 yards. A blue bullet tip classifies the cartridge.
Incendiary composition: 5.83 g or 90 grains IM 28 STD OTCM 36841 – Type classification
.50 Armor Piercing incendiary-Tracer M20
This ammo is used by M107 Sniper Rifle, M85 and M2 machine guns. The cartridge is combining the features of the incendiary and armor-piercing bullet, and it is used against concrete shelters, unarmored or light-armored and flammable targets, and similar target that is bullet-resisting. It is blurred at ranges that are near, but as it goes further from the firearm, it increases to bright.
Armor Penetration 500m: 21 mm or 0.83 inch 1200m: 11 mm or 0.43 inch Tracer: R256 Trace Range: 300 – 1750 m or 328 – 1914 yards Incendiary composition: 1.74 g or 27 grains IM161 OBS MSR 04776009 – Type Classification
PPU RANGEMASTER
.50 BMG – 5 ROUNDS
.50 High-Pressure Test
All .50 Browning weapons use this one. The cartridge is used on proof testing firearms during repair, test, and manufacture. A stannic-stained cartridge case classifies the cartridge.
STD OTCM 36841 – Type Classification
.50 Blank M1
The M2 machine gun also uses this one. The cartridge is used in training exercises to simulate firing. It has crimped cartridge case and is classified by the bullet’s absence.
CONT OTCM 36841 – Type Classification
.50 Ball M33
It is used by the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle, M85 and M2 machine guns. The cartridge is used against unarmed targets or personnel. It is classified by a plain bullet tip.
Armor Penetration 500m: 8 mm or 0.32 inch 1200m: 4 mm or 0.16 inch STD OTCM 36841 – Type Classification
Conclusion
The .50 cal ammo round is optimized for penetration at about 800 meters or 875 yards long ranges. It is affected by range and obliquity for harder targets. This .50 cal round cannot penetrate sand-filled 55-gallon drum.
Concentrated and continued machine gun fire cannot breach dense natural stone walls or reinforced concrete structures, but it can breach typical urban walls. The .50 caliber rounds can penetrate bedding, home appliances, office furniture, ceilings, floors, plaster, partitions, and internal walls.
