SABOT AMMUNITION

SABOT AMMUNITION

Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) were commonly used in large caliber weapons - for example in the CHIEFTAIN TANK, but are mostly now replaced by Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS).

However, the system is still used in small & medium caliber weapons. - Basicaly, a SABOT is a device used for firing a projectile that is smaller than the bore diameter or must be held precisely. - A familiar and very common sabot is the shot wad used in shotgun cartridges, that carries the shot down the barrel - protecting it from contact with the steel tube - it then separates and is discarded while the shot does its job down range. Sabots are also used militarily to fire flechettes for anti-personnel and anti-armour purposes. 

                                                      SHOTGUN SHOT SEQUENCE.

The main effect of a saboted sub-caliber round is massively increased velocity. - The M1022 Long Range Sniper Bullet (saboted) remains supersonic (above approx 343metres/sec, 768mph) out to 1500/1600 metres. (- Standard .50"caliber ammo has a quoted muzzle velocity of 853 metres/sec).

                      CANADIAN FORCES TAC-50 (C15) LONG RANGE SNIPER RIFLE.

In 2002 - using a McMillan Tac-50 C15 Rifle in Afghanistan - Canadian Corporal Rob Furlong shot a Taliban Insurgent at a record range of 2430 metres (2657yards).

- However this record was broken in 2009 by a British sniper using an overpressure (LM-107, supersonic to 2170metres) .338 Lapua Magnum at 2475metres (2707yards) as longest confirmed sniper kill. He (COH Harrison) shot two static machine-gunners consecutively in Afghanistan.

The original .50" BMG, Browning Machine Gun was developed in the 1910s and entered service in 1921. - The EXACTO program is currently developing .50"cal rounds with microprocessors and steering vanes that can adjust in flight to stay on target. Due in service 2015.

Marty K.
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870