5.45×39 mm
Intermediate
Soviet answer to 5.56 NATO: bullet with destabilizing hollow tip, in service since 1974 with the AK-74.
Community
Loading…
Overview
Developed by Lidiya Bulavskaya's team at TsNIITochMash (Klimovsk) after analyzing Vietnam data, where the 5.56 M16 had proven effective. The 7N6 bullet has an air pocket in the tip that, on impact, shifts the lead forward causing very pronounced yaw.
Specifications
- Bullet diameter
- 5,60 mm
- Case length
- 39,82 mm
- Overall length
- 57,0 mm
- Bullet weight
- 3,4 g (53 gr, 7N6)
- Typical muzzle velocity
- ≈ 880 m/s
- Typical energy
- ≈ 1380 J
- Introduced
- 1974
Pros
- +Very low recoil, excellent in bursts.
- +Severe terminal effect from induced yaw.
Cons
- −Limited distribution outside the former Soviet bloc.
- −Nicknamed 'Poison Bullet' after its Afghan-war reputation.
History and use
Introduced with the AK-74 for the Soviet Army in 1974, today standard in Russia and former Soviet republics. Also used on AK-12 and RPK-74.
Weapons adopting it (3)
Community
Loading…