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Caliber question

daviddddd
How does the 5.45x39 as a general purpose and defense round compare to the 5.56. My principal concerne would be a defensive round. I understand that this round was designed as a military caliber, but would like to know if it has applications for varmint use as well. I see that S&W is fielding a M&P Ar style rifle in this caliber, and was curious as to it's comparison overall to the 5.56. I know that this is a vague question, I apologize, but any information on this caliber would be appreciated (ie): strengths and weaknesses, accuracy, stopping power and effective ranges.
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • daviddddd
    Might someone please tell me the differences between 45.70(govt) and 45.75?

    Will 45.70 safely chamber and fire in a rifle that is chambered for 45.75?

    I have always understood that the 70-75 numbers signify the weight in grains of the powder charge in the cartridge.

    Thanks much.

    FLc
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  • gravedigger
    David,

    I have also wondered this, myself.

    -Marcus

    ****Happiness is a new gun.****
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  • mark christian
    Hello David, you are opening a can of worms here. All of those number have a meaning, but there is no rhyme or reason to most. .30-06 indicates a .30 caliber cartridge adopted by our military in 1906. This replaced the .30-03 which was adopted in 1903. Think you have this aced? The 03 replaced the .30-40 Krag which was adopted in 1892. The 40 indicates the original load of 40 grains of the then new smokeless powder. .30-30 has the same meaning; a .30 caliber round with an original load of 30 grains. You'll also run across rounds like the .25-06. Nope, this round did not come along in 1906. Instead it is a .30-06 case necked down to hold a .25 caliber bullet. Confused yet? This stuff is more code than anything else! Lets not forget the .22-250 (my favorite varmint cartridge). Want to guess what the 250 represents? You are right if you guessed the .22 means a .22 caliber bullet. The 250 is from the old 250-3000 Savage that the case was based on. And what about the 3000 number in the Savage round? Savage chose to call it that because they claimed that the bullet reached 3000 feet per second... hot stuff indeed back when it came out in 1915! Have you got all this figured out yet? If you do you'll be the first one of us here!

    Mark T. Christian

    Edited by - mark christian on 09/28/2002 16:45:01
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  • He Dog
    Mark gave you a nice introduction into the arcane world of cartridge designations. If you are further interested, you might want to get a copy of "Cartridges of the World" 9th edition. A great resource on the history, uses, and ballistics of most all the production cartridges. And then there are the wildcats...

    A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
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  • mballai
    It's really fascinating to note that so many cartridges we have come to take trust upon: 45 ACP, 30-06, 9mm Luger and many others have been serving reliably for about a century. While I get excited as anyone else when a new cartridge appears on the scene, that knowledge makes me a bit more cautious about adding it to my arsenal.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • Sunray
    And it get worse. The 9mm Luger is also called 9mm Parabellum. The name Luger isn't actually correct. Parabellum is. The "Luger" name is the American name for it. The European calibres are a little more accurate in their names. For example, 8X57 means 8mm x 57mm. The bullet diameter in millimeters and the case length. The Brits make it even worse as they measure the barrel diameter from land to land instead of groove to groove. A .303 British round is the diameter of the bullet but the barrel measures .311 to .315, the way we do it. Then there's the company named cartridges. Like the .303 Savage. Nope, it's nothing like the .303 British at all.
    Fun though isn't it?
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  • Xracer
    .....and .38-70 Winchester is 38 caliber (.378) with 70 grains of black powder...

    .....but .38-40 Winchester is 40 caliber (.401) with 38 grains of blackpowder....

    ....and if you're not confused by now, you just don't understand the situation.
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  • hitman
    I can't speak for anyone else but I love the history on different calibers. Some people complain and think think there should be a standard for all. As for myself, I have enjoyed learning and continue to learn(didn't know the history of the .22-250). Most foreign rounds seem to be in mm. If so god bless the USA for being being different. Keep the new cartridges, neck downs, and wildcats coming.
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  • thesoundguy1
    How does .223 fit in?

    www.waveformwear.com
    The new wave in free expression.
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