Over the past few years there’s been a lot of work in the ammunition world to develop rounds that offer improved ballistics over 5.56 mm NATO yet can still be used in the Gene Stoner developed AR platform. The big draw to these new .30 rounds is that they offer increased range and hitting power over 5.56 but have a lower recoil than standard 7.62 loads.
We’ve seen 6.5 Grendel, 6.8, .300 Blackout as well as a few others. In case you hadn’t heard, 7.62×40 WT is Wilson Tactical’s entry into this weight class. As you can see, the round is based on a resized 5.56 case. This allows it to be used in a properly barreled AR-variant and the ammunition will work in a standard AR magazine but with fewer rounds per mag. In fact, the only unique requirement is a new barrel.
Its ballistic performance makes it an interesting choice for hunters as well as those who are looking for increased punch from their AR-platform. For example, from a 16-inch barrel, 7.62×40 WT 110-grain bullets offer around 2,400 fps.
Naturally, since Wilson Tactical developed the round, they are offering ammunition as well as full weapons in the caliber. They offer four different guns as well as five different ammo loads.
To learn more, visit www.wilsoncombat.com/762x40WT.
Tags: Wilson Tactical
As a none ballistics expert does the extra millimeter in length in the casing really add that much of an increase in power over the 7.62×39? Again as a none-expert I thought being able to use your “enemies” ammo in a pinch would have been a good thing.
Nonetheless this is a really cool creation for ammo alternatives for our armed forces and possibly recreational shooters in the future.
The point isn’t to beat the M43 round. The new case is basically a 5.56 necked up, as is the .300BLK. This means all the same stuff except the barrel is used, no special magazine or bolt, as you would need for 7.62X39. This also means better reliability for the AR platform.
I’m not sure which I prefer, the Wilson or the Blackout, but I like the idea. I understand the WT has slightly higher velocity, but the BLK seems a bit more versitile with the bullet weights. That and there are more ammo manufacturers getting on board for the BLK.
Wilson makes great stuff
Acording to their website, the 125 grain x40 has 129 more foot pounds of energy and travels 80 fps faster than the 123 grain x39. (1599 vs 1470 f/lbs & 2,400 vs 2,320 fps)
Take that as you will- I don’t want to be shot by either 😉
So basically, they’re going to the same place that the Russians went over 55 years ago…
Sure sounds that way.
Looking at the picture, (not having the physical case specs in hand), it appears that the WT round will reform the necked down section of a 5.56 case, whereas the 300aac cuts off the entire necked portion, and then reforms essentially a straight walled case. I imagine that unless you are re-annealing the MT cases first, there is a lot of fatigue already built in to the neck of that case, however small it may be. From an agency standpoint, probably no matter since they will all be essentially using “factory ammo”, but from a civilian/hunter/hobbyist standpoint, this I think could lead to fewer reloads per case.
I guess in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that big of a deal, but being budget minded (read a cheap bastard), I would sure like to get as much use per case as possible.
Then again, being an amateur in the realm of reloading, maybe this is just a non-issue, I’ll be interested to see the development of this round.
Even though the manufacturers say that these new rounds aren’t intended to compete against the Soviet 7.62x39mm M43 round, they do all seem to compare themselves to it – as well as the 5.56x45mm round.
Is it any coincidence that another manufacturer recently launched an AR platform optimized for the M43 round and standard AK magazines? I doubt it…
I think all this development is being fueled by the realization (finally) that the 5.56x45mm round really is more of a varmint round than a battle round, and by the ever growing popularity of the AK platform over the AR. So, I’d like to see a comprehensive and thorough analysis of all these new 6mm and 7mm AR calibers pitched against the Soviet M43 round for a definitive answer.
This reminds me of some of my own ideas, one of which is a case designed after the 5.56, with all dimensions upped to 30 cal… It would be roughly the same length as a 30-06 but with better ballistics; (in theory) and COBB (if i remember correctly) has already proven that a long action AR can and will work… This however would be a much easier transfer, seeing as it would use all the same parts minus barrel and compensator. My only question is how does it hold up at distance? That’s the main problem with 7.62 soviet.
This is crazy exciting! Years ago this is how everyone started “wild catting” the .308, and came up with some really cool stuff. Now everyone is going after the .556. It truly is the golden age of guns.