12.7 mm x 99 (0.

50 calibre) Ammunition
SNC Technologies Inc. (SNC TEC) has more than 50 years experience in the manufacture of 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) ammunition exceeding customer specifications. This ammunition is available in a variety of types, including the M2 and M33 ball, the M17 tracer, the C-48 blank and the C-44 armour-piercing tracer. With its highly efficient production facilities, SNC TEC also manufactures high-quality brass cartridge cases, projectiles and complete rounds, at competitive prices. In fact, the brass cartridge cases it currently produces were recently recognized as 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) match-grade components. This ammunition is suitable for aircraft, anti-aircraft and ground machine-guns including Browning M2, M2HB Heavy Barrel (turret and flexible types), M85 tank guns, as well as AN-M3, M3 P and M3M guns. It is also compatible with the Quick-Change Barrel (QCB) kit that makes it possible to retrofit a quick-change barrel to any Browning 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) M2HB machine-gun. Production of these products is supported by metrology, chemical and metallurgical laboratories well equipped with all the modern instrumentation needed for the complete and reliable inspection of topquality products. Combined with statistical process-control methods, these facilities ensure the high-quality products and improved productivity that guarantee a favourable price/performance ratio.

C-48 Blank Cartridge

SNC TEC offers a 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) blank cartridge for training purposes. The cartridge consists of a brass cartridge case and a non-corrosive primer. The propellant is selected to produce the proper cycling rate of the weapon and adequately simulate the sound level of a ball round. The cartridge is closed at the mouth by a paper wad sealed with an appropriate lacquer. Upon request, an M1A1 version with a star crimp can be manufactured. The nominal weight of the cartridge is 58 g (893 grains). Ball and tracer cartridges are manufactured according to the Manual of Proof and Inspection Procedures for NATO 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) ammunition: AC/225(LG.3/SG.1)D/14.
M2 Weight of cartridge g 118 grains 1817 Weight of projectile g 45 grains 693 Velocity at 24 m m/s 856 (78 ft.) ft./s 2807 Corrected chamber MPa < 380 pressure psi < 55,100 Action time <4 (millisecond) Trace (distance m from the muzzle) yd. Primer Propellant Muzzle energy Accuracy [average mean radius at 550 m (600 yd.)] M33 116 1786 42 646 887 2909 < 372 < 54,000 <4 M17 113 1740 43 662 872 2860 < 372 < 54,000 <4 C-44 130 2000 62 955 785 2575 < 317 < 46,000 <4 150 to 1,200 164 to 1313

M33 and M2 Ball Cartridges

These are general-use cartridges which can be fired as training ammunition in a four-ball and one-tracer mix, as well as a number of other combinations. The M33 bullet consists of a gilding metal jacket with a soft steel core and an inert chemical filler at the tip of the projectile. The M2 projectile has the same configuration except for the chemical filler which is replaced by a lead insert. Technical data is presented in Table 1.

M17 Tracer Cartridge

This cartridge is suitable for firing from 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) ground and aircraft guns. It has a dim trace at the muzzle of the gun and a full bright red trace extending approximately 100 to 1850 m (109 to 2025 yd.) from the muzzle. The bullet has a gilding metal jacket, a point filler of lead and a pyrotechnic mixture consisting of a sub-igniter, an igniter and a tracer compound. The base of the projectile is sealed with a copper disc to ensure the reliability of the trace. The trajectory matches that of M2 and M33 ball projectiles. Technical data is presented in Table 1.

joules ft./lb. cm in

< 30 < 12

100 to 1,850 109 to 2024 Boxer type, non-corrosive Single or double-base ~ 16,500 ~ 12,128 < 30 < 50 < 12 < 20

< 30* < 12*

Table 1 - Characteristics of M2, M33, M17 and C-44 cartridges *Accuracy The intrinsic dispersion of C-44 ammunition at 550 m (600 yd.) is excellent. The average mean radius at that distance varies from 8 to 12 cm (3.1-4.7 in.), or approximately 1/3 of international standards.

C-44 Powerful Armour-Piercing/Tracer Cartridge

SNC Technologies Inc. has developed an armour-piercing projectile with a tungsten carbide core with a doubletapered nose to increase the penetration capability at high angles of attack. The core is inserted into a gilding metal jacket. Its end section has a cylindrical cavity filled with a tracer compound whose addition improves the effectiveness of the weapon system without reducing its armour-piercing capabilities. The trace is visible at a distance of at least 800 m (875 yd.). This system was developed for the greatest lethality at the longest possible ranges. Particular attention was given to defeating highly oblique armour. A sectioned view of the ammunition is shown in Figure 1, while its residual kinetic energy is compared to M33 ball ammunition in Figure 2.
Energy (joules)

Disc Closure

WC Core

Jacket

Tracer Composition Igniter Composition

Nose Pad

FIGURE 1: 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) AP(HC)/T C-44 projectile

Range (yards)
0 20000 328 656 985 1312

15000

11062

The C-44 projectile has greater muzzle energy (10 to 15%) and loses velocity less quickly than many other armour-piercing bullets. The penetrator and bullet assembly are optimized for armour that is highly oblique, at a range of 800 metres (875 yd.) and a temperature of 0C (32F) or more. The following shows penetration capability: Angle of armour plate 35 degrees 1 60 degrees 1 Perforation of armour plate 14 mm (0.55 in.) 6 mm (0.27 in.)

10000

7375

5000

3687

AP (HC)/T C-44 projectile M33 Ball projectile

0 0 300 600 900 1200 0

Range (m)

FIGURE 2: Residual kinetic energy compared to M33 ball ammunition

The armour plate conforms to MIL-A-12560, class 3 with a hardness value varying from 343 to 363 Brinell.

Trajectory matching
Since C-44 armour-piercing ammunition carries its own tracer, trajectory matching is not a concern. Compared to the M33 ball projectile, the mean point of impact at 600 m (656 yd.) is about 0.7 metre (2.3 ft.) below that of the ball round.

Packaging
Standard packaging of 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) ammunition at SNC TEC is as follows:

Operation Packs
1. Link packs (M33 and M2 ball, M17 tracer, C-48 blank and C-44 AP/T) 100 rounds per belt 1 belt per M2A1 metal box 2 metal boxes per wirebound crate 27 crates per palet (5,400 rounds) 2. Link packs (4 ball/1 tracer) Same type of packaging

User trials
Extensive user trials were conducted by the Canadian Army. In the anti-armour role, the weapon becomes a point-target weapon rather than an area weapon.

Tracer
While smaller in diameter than the M17 tracer cartridge, the trace is exceptionally bright. The full trace begins at 90 m (98.4 yd.) and extends beyond 800 m (875 yd.). The bright orange colour is clearly visible even on bright sunny days. It is easy for the gunner to assess hits or make sighting corrections.

Utility packs
All our products can be delivered in cardboard boxes which are, in turn, placed in cardboard shipping cases. Other packaging configurations are available, to meet specific customer needs.

Barrel wear
It should be noted that, while the muzzle momentum of C-44 ammunition is greater than that of conventional 12.7 mm (0.50 calibre) ammunition, the average chamber pressure of the ammunition is low, which helps minimize barrel, bolt and breech lock wear. The average measured chamber pressure is 289 MPa (42,000 psi). C-44 AP(HC)-T ammunition is manufactured according to the D-74-305-HAO/SF-004 Canadian specification.
NOTES: All metal boxes are waterproof and reusable. Wirebound crates are designed to prevent shock transmission to metal boxes/ammunition. Boxes can be specially treated for overseas transportation. Other packaging configurations could be used to meet customers requirements. N.B.: Dimensions and weights are nominal.
COM SNC 012 Printed in Canada 0210/5M

When it comes to innovative and safe products, SNC TEC is Always on target !

5 Monte des Arsenaux, Le Gardeur, Qubec, Canada J5Z 2P4 Telephone: 1-450-581-3080 Fax: 1-450-581-0913 Web site: www.snctec.com E-mail: info@snctec.com

Energy (ft./lb.)

Penetration and lethality