12.7x40mm: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:05, July 31, 2013

A M225 SAPHE from The Art of Halo 3.

The M225 Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive (M225 SAP-HE) is a 12.7x40mm round used in the M6 series of sidearms.^[1]

Overview

The M225 SAP-HE is the standard issue ammunition for the M6 series of sidearms. Performance-wise, the round is effective against infantry, especially against unarmored or unshielded opponents. Compared to the M118 7.62x51mm and the M634 9.5x40mm rounds, the M225 is a relatively effective round against energy shields due to its high explosive ammunition properties. It is largely ineffective against vehicles, as it is not significantly armor-piercing.

Properties

Due to the semi armor piercing nature of the round it is likely coated or made of a hard metal such as steel but deforms shortly after impact to prevent the bullet exiting the body and causing accidental casualties. The filler is likely a stable explosive with either a contact explosive detonation (somewhat counter acting its SAP nature) or a delay action fuse so it goes off shortly after impact, ideally in the body of the enemy, often lethal and crippling.

Trivia

The ammo packs for the M6D in Halo: Combat Evolved have a type error: it says 'HP' rather than 'HE'.
The concept art in Art of Halo 3 refers the M225 SAP-HE as the 12.7x30mm instead of 12.7x40mm. This type error carried on in the Magnum entry of Halo: The Essential Visual Guide.

Gallery

The M225 ammo pack.

List of appearances

Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
Halo: Combat Evolved
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
Halo: The Flood
Halo: First Strike
Halo 3
Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
Halo: Reach
Halo 4

Sources

^ Bungie.net: M6G Personal Defense Weapon System

[bnet-1] Bungie.net: M6G Personal Defense Weapon System

[1]

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 {{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
 [[File:Ammo_-M6D.png|150px|thumb|A M225 SAPHE from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.]]
-The ''12.7x40mm'' '''M225 Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive''' (abbreviated '''M225 SAP-HE''') is a [[high explosive ammunition|high explosive]], 12.7mm(.50)-caliber round used in the [[M6|M6 series]] of sidearms.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3pistol '''Bungie.net''': ''M6G Personal Defense Weapon System'']</ref>
+The '''M225 Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive''' ('''M225 SAP-HE''') is a 12.7x40mm round used in the [[M6 series]] of sidearms.<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3pistol '''Bungie.net''': ''M6G Personal Defense Weapon System'']</ref>
 == Overview ==
-In terms of muzzle energy, the round may be as powerful (or even more powerful) than even the mighty 12.7mm caliber pistol rounds of today, possibly giving a muzzle energy of 4,000 joules or more (though possibly less as well). While it may seem like the M6 pistols would be totally overpowered by today's standards, strides in recoil reduction and accuracy may very well have been made in the five-hundred year gap in firearms technology of today to Halo-era technology. Also, advances in defensive measures such as stronger body armor might mean handguns of lesser power have become inferior, at least for military combat purposes.
+The M225 SAP-HE is the standard issue ammunition for the M6 series of sidearms. Performance-wise, the round is effective against infantry, especially against unarmored or unshielded opponents. Compared to the [[M118 Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|M118 7.62x51mm]] and the [[M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing|M634 9.5x40mm]] rounds, the M225 is a relatively effective round against [[energy shield]]s due to its [[high explosive ammunition]] properties. It is largely ineffective against vehicles, as it is not significantly armor-piercing.
-Current 12.7mm caliber bullets have severe recoil and although [[MJOLNIR armor]] may increase strength to a point where it is manageable, UNSC servicemen are able to use M6 pistols easily. Contemporary 12.7mm handguns are not militarily viable, however advancements in military technology allows this caliber of round to perform very well in the M6 line of handgun.
-Two different versions of this cartridge exist, one using a 40mm case and another using a shorter 30mm case. The longer case of the 12.7x40mm cartridge provides the ability to provide greater muzzle energy and velocity as it has a larger case volume allowing more propellant to be stored inside. The shorter 30mm case variant likely produces a less powerful shot, with the benefit of decreased recoil, allowing for faster follow up shots. Both rounds are used in the M6 series of pistols and possibly other weapons.
 == Properties ==
-Due to the semi [[Armor Piercing Rounds|armor piercing]] nature of the round it is likely coated or made of a hard metal such as steel but deforms shortly after impact to prevent the bullet exiting the body and causing accidental casualties. The filler is likely a stable explosive with either a contact explosive detonation (somewhat counter acting its SAP nature) or a delay action fuse so it goes off shortly after impact, ideally in the body of the enemy, often lethal and crippling.
+Due to the semi [[armor piercing round|armor piercing]] nature of the round it is likely coated or made of a hard metal such as steel but deforms shortly after impact to prevent the bullet exiting the body and causing accidental casualties. The filler is likely a stable explosive with either a contact explosive detonation (somewhat counter acting its SAP nature) or a delay action fuse so it goes off shortly after impact, ideally in the body of the enemy, often lethal and crippling.
 ==Trivia==
-*The 12.7mm ammo is similar to the .50 Action Express round most famously used in the Desert Eagle, however the bullets are not the same. The .50 Action Express is a 12.7mm x 33mm. It is not to be confused with the the .50 BMG, which is a 12.7mm x 99mm rifle round, used by heavy machine guns such as the [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]].
+*The ammo packs for the M6D in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] have a type error: it says 'HP' rather than 'HE'.
-*The round could possibly be a development of the [[wikipedia:.500 S&W Magnum|.500 S&amp;W Magnum]] cartridge, since they are the same caliber and length, although the cartridge is rimmed and it is a revolver cartridge, making it unsuitable in a semi-automatic pistol like the M6.
+*The concept art in ''Art of Halo 3'' refers the M225 SAP-HE as the 12.7x''30''mm instead of 12.7x''40''mm. This type error carried on in the Magnum entry of ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''.
-*The cartridge is more than likely based on the [[wikipedia:.50 Beowulf|.50 Beowulf]], since it has a rebated rim and it is the same caliber and length as the .500 S&W Magnum. However, .50 Beowulf was designed for use in a modified AR-15 type rifle, and like the .500 S&W Magnum, is too powerful to be used in a light sidearm.
-*The term "Semi-Armor Piercing" is typically reserved for larger autocannon type ammunition in today's realm (e.g. - PGU-28A SAPHEI used in the M61A1/2 20mm aircraft guns).  Rounds like this typically composed of a hardened steel shell surrounding an explosive filler and zirconium pellet. They are effective against lightly armored vehicles.
-*The ammo packs for the M6D in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] have a typo: it says 'HP' rather than 'HE'.
 ==Gallery==