4/4/2011

Wilson Combat, known as a manufacturer of semi-custom 1911s, has introduced a new rifle cartridge in the form of the 7.62x40 Wilson Tactical (WT).

The 7.62x40 WT is a .30-caliber round designed for use with currently tooled 5.56x45 mm NATO/.223-caliber AR-platform rifles and requires only one modification—a new barrel. For hunters, the 7.62x40 WT is designed as an ideal hunting round for medium to large size game, and offers higher energy than the 7.62x39 mm with low recoil. For tactical users, the cartridge offers similar performance to the 6.8 SPC at ranges of 175-200 yards.

In addition to barrels and complete uppers chambered for the new cartridge, Wilson Combat is also offering handloading dies and tools, custom boxed ammunition and specially designed magazines fully supporting a transition to 7.62x40 WT.

Below is a chart provided by Wilson Combat indicating the ballistic performance of the round. For additional production information or to see the complete line of 7.62x40 WT products, please visit the Wilson Combat website.

Ballistic Performance Comparison

7.62x40 WT (16" Barrel)
110 gr: 2450 fps muzzle velocity and 1466 foot pounds of energy
125 gr: 2400 fps muzzle velocity and 1599 foot pounds of energy
150 gr: 2200 fps muzzle velocity and 1612 foot pounds of energy

5.56 Nato (16" Barrel)
55 gr: 3150 fps muzzle velocity and 1212 foot pounds of energy
62 gr: 3000 fps muzzle velocity and 1239 foot pounds of energy
77 gr: 2750 fps muzzle velocity and 1293 foot pounds of energy

7.62x39 (16" Barrel)
123 gr: 2320 fps muzzle velocity and 1470 foot pounds of energy

6.8 SPC (16" Barrel)
110 gr: 2550 fps muzzle velocity and 1594 foot pounds of energy

300 BLACKOUT (16" Barrel)
125 gr: 2275 fps muzzle velocity and 1436 foot pounds of energy

*Note for Handloaders: Once a 7.62x40 WT case has been fired once it will be fire-formed and provide approximately 1 gr. additional powder capacity and the potential for approximately 25-50 fps more velocity at comparable pressure levels.

Trajectory and Remaining Velocity

125 gr. Nosler Ballistic Hunter, 2375 fps muzzle velocity, zero range 175 yards
100 yds +1.7" 2156 fps
150 yds +1.1" 2052 fps
200 yds -1.6" 1951 fps
250 yds -6.6" 1854 fps