Adept Armor Threat Assessment Series I: Standard-Issue Military Rifle Ammunition
When designing plates that are built to counter common military small-arms threats, it helps to have a reference guide which summarizes the various characteristics of those threats.
Below is the Adept survey of typical standard-issue small arms projectiles.
Table last checked 9 October 2026.
How to Read This Table
- Bullet
- Projectile weight in grains (1 gr = 0.0648 g).
- Construction
- Bullet type first: FMJ (full metal jacket) or semi-jacketed with an exposed arrowhead penetrator; then the core layout. WC-Co is tungsten carbide bonded with cobalt.
- Core Ø, wt., hardness
- Penetrator diameter, weight and hardness (Rockwell C or Vickers). Most of these are not published by makers and come from Adept’s own analysis, marked in the Sources column.
- Muzzle velocity
- Typical velocity, with the barrel length or measuring point where the source gives one. Military data sheets often measure at 24 m (78 ft), which reads slightly lower than at the muzzle.
- Muzzle energy
- Calculated by Adept from bullet weight and velocity, in foot-pounds and joules.
- Adept FoM
- Adept’s figure of merit, 1 to 10: a rough estimate of a round’s ability to penetrate hard armor. See “Figure-of-Merit Scoring Explained” below.
- Sources
- Numbered links to the list at the end. “Source: Adept Internal Analysis” names the figures in that row that no public source gives.
The full table is also available as a spreadsheet: Download the data (CSV).
| Round | Calibre | Issued by / maker | Bullet (gr) | Construction | Core Ø (mm) | Core wt. (gr) | Core hardness | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft·lb) | Muzzle energy (J) | Adept FoM (1–10) | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US, NATO and Europe | |||||||||||||
| M193 Ball | 5.56×45 | US / NATO | 55 | FMJ; lead-antimony core | – | – | 12 HV | 990 20″ barrel | 3,248 | 1,289 | 1,747 | 2 | [1], [2] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core hardness). |
| M855 / SS109 Ball One measured SS109-type steel tip (Indonesian, 2022) was about 656 HV (about 58 HRC). | 5.56×45 | US / NATO | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 915–950 20″ barrel | 3,002–3,117 | 1,241–1,338 | 1,682–1,813 | 3 | [3], [4], [5] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| M855A1 EPR | 5.56×45 | US | 62 | Semi-jacketed (exposed arrowhead); exposed hardened-steel penetrator, copper slug rear; lead-free | 4.3 | 19 (steel) | 58–60 HRC | 905–960 14.5–20″ barrels | 2,969–3,150 | 1,214–1,366 | 1,645–1,851 | 5 | [3], [2] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness). |
| AP45 Rare. | 5.56×45 | Norway / Nammo | 69.4 | FMJ; sub-calibre WC-Co penetrator in aluminium cup; lead-free | 3.9–4.0 | 41–43 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 900 Manufacturer figure | 2,953 | 1,344 | 1,821 | 7 | [6] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (cup, core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| Swiss P AP (5.56) | 5.56×45 | Switzerland / SwissP Defence (ex-RUAG Ammotec) | 63 | FMJ; sub-calibre WC-Co core | 4.0 | 34–36 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 885–915 20″ (510 mm) barrel, 900 ±15 m/s | 2,904–3,002 | 1,180–1,261 | 1,599–1,709 | 7 | [7], [8] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| L31A1 EP Ball | 5.56×45 | UK / BAE Systems | 62 | FMJ; full-length hardened-steel core; lead-free | 5.0 | 52 | 58–62 HRC | 900–950 Manufacturer gives 911 m/s at 24 m | 2,953–3,117 | 1,201–1,338 | 1,627–1,813 | 7 | [9] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core length, diameter, weight, hardness). |
| M995 AP | 5.56×45 | US / NATO (Nammo AP3) | 52 | FMJ; sub-calibre WC-Co core in aluminium cup | 4.0 | 32 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 1,030 Manufacturer figure | 3,379 | 1,319 | 1,787 | 6.5 | [10] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (cup, core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| M80 Ball | 7.62×51 | US / NATO | 146–147 | FMJ; lead-alloy core | – | – | – | 850 22″ barrel | 2,789 | 2,522–2,540 | 3,418–3,441 | 2 | [11], [12] |
| M80A1 EPR | 7.62×51 | US | 130 | Semi-jacketed (exposed arrowhead); exposed hardened-steel penetrator, copper slug rear; lead-free | 5.5 | 45 (steel) | 50–55 HRC | 847–915 16–22″ barrels | 2,779–3,002 | 2,230–2,602 | 3,022–3,526 | 5 | [13], [12] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness, velocity range). |
| Swiss P AP (7.62) | 7.62×51 | Switzerland / SwissP Defence (ex-RUAG Ammotec) | 196 | FMJ; WC-Co and lead hybrid core | 5.7 | 86 | WC (75 HRC) | 778–810 25.6″ (650 mm) barrel, 790 +20/−12 m/s | 2,552–2,657 | 2,835–3,073 | 3,844–4,166 | 9 | [14] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core material, diameter, weight, hardness). |
| M61 AP | 7.62×51 | US | 150.5 | FMJ; hardened-steel core, lead filler | – | 55 | 60–63 HRC | 855 22″ barrel | 2,805 | 2,630 | 3,565 | 5.5 | [12] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core weight, hardness). |
| M993 AP | 7.62×51 | US / NATO (Nammo AP8) | 128 | FMJ; WC-Co core in aluminium cup | 5.5 | 91 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 930 Manufacturer figure | 3,051 | 2,646 | 3,587 | 8.75 | [15] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (cup, core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| XM1186 General Purpose No government figures published; weight and velocity follow the commercial .277 Fury load. | 6.8×51 (.277 Fury) | US | 135 | Semi-jacketed (exposed arrowhead); hardened-steel penetrator, copper slug rear (assumed EPR-type); hybrid steel-brass case | 5.5–6.0 | 30–40 (steel) | 58–62 HRC | 900–915 13–16″ barrels | 2,953–3,002 | 2,615–2,702 | 3,543–3,662 | 7 | [16] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (all figures except designation and case). |
| L2A2 / SS109 Ball (BAE "L15") Same projectile class as M855 / SS109. | 5.56×45 | UK | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 920–940 Manufacturer gives 917 m/s at 24 m | 3,018–3,084 | 1,254–1,310 | 1,700–1,775 | 3 | [9], [2] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| L59A1 High Performance Ball | 7.62×51 | UK / BAE Systems | 155 | FMJ; hardened-steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 5–6 | 15–20 | 58–62 HRC | 825 Measured 24 m from the muzzle | 2,707 | 2,523 | 3,418 | 5 | [9] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| DM151 AP (Hartkern) | 7.62×51 | Germany / MEN | 151 | FMJ; WC-Co core; lead-free | 5.0 | 70 | WC (75 HRC) | 825 Manufacturer gives 827 ±15 m/s at 10 m | 2,707 | 2,458 | 3,330 | 9 | [17], [12] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| SS109 Ball (MEN, BAE and others) Same projectile class as M855 / SS109. | 5.56×45 | Europe / NATO | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 920–940 20″ barrel; MEN gives 925 ±15 m/s at 10 m | 3,018–3,084 | 1,254–1,310 | 1,700–1,775 | 3 | [18], [9] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| C77 Ball SS109 equivalent. | 5.56×45 | Canada / GD-OTS Canada | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 941 Manufacturer figure | 3,087 | 1,312 | 1,779 | 3 | [19] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| C21 Ball M80 equivalent. | 7.62×51 | Canada / GD-OTS Canada | 146–147 | FMJ; lead core | – | – | – | 845 Manufacturer figure | 2,772 | 2,492–2,509 | 3,378–3,401 | 2 | [20] |
| .338 AP (Nammo AP485 / AP529) | 8.6×70 (.338 Lapua Magnum) | Finland / Nammo Lapua; NATO users | 248–300 | FMJ; WC-Co penetrator | 7.0 | 120–200 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 830–905 AP485 248 gr at 905 m/s; AP529 300 gr at 830 m/s | 2,723–2,969 | 4,855–4,941 | 6,581–6,696 | 10 | [21], [22] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| Russia and former USSR | |||||||||||||
| 7N6 Ball The encyclopedia describes the core as not heat-treated. | 5.45×39 | Russia | 53 | FMJ; mild-steel core, air cavity forward, lead plug aft | 4.0 | 22 | 40–45 HRC | 870–890 Test barrel | 2,854–2,920 | 959–1,004 | 1,300–1,360 | 3 | [23], [24], [25], [26] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness). |
| 7N10 / 7N10M Enhanced-Penetration Ball Published core weight 26.5–27.8 gr (vimpel-v.com, Wikipedia). | 5.45×39 | Russia | 56 | FMJ; heat-treated high-strength steel core, lead sleeve | 4.1 | 25 | 60 HRC | 880 Test barrel | 2,887 | 1,037 | 1,405 | 5 | [23], [25], [24] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness). |
| 7N22 AP | 5.45×39 | Russia | 57 | FMJ; U12A tool-steel core | 4.0 | 27 | 60–65 HRC | 870–890 Test barrel | 2,854–2,920 | 1,031–1,079 | 1,398–1,463 | 5.5 | [23], [27], [25] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness). |
| 7N24 "Super-AP" Sources disagree on bullet (4.1–4.2 g) and core (1.8–2.1 g) mass. | 5.45×39 | Russia | 63.3–64.8 | FMJ; VK8 tungsten-carbide (WC-Co) core | 4.0 | 28–32 | WC | 840 Test barrel | 2,756 | 1,068–1,093 | 1,447–1,481 | 6 | [23], [27], [24] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter). |
| 7N39 "Igolnik" AP | 5.45×39 | Russia | 63.3 | FMJ; WC-Co core (92% WC, 8% Co) | 4.0 | 29 | WC | 820–840 Test barrel | 2,690–2,756 | 1,017–1,068 | 1,379–1,447 | 7 | [23], [24], [26] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter; core weight (Wikipedia only)). |
| 57-N-231 PS Ball | 7.62×39 | Russia / North Korea / export | 122–123 | FMJ; steel core (heat-hardened since 1989), lead sheath | 5.6 | 55–60 | 35–45 HRC | 710–725 Test barrel | 2,329–2,379 | 1,470–1,546 | 1,993–2,095 | 1 | [28], [29] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| 7N23 BP AP Wikipedia gives core weight as 55.6 gr. | 7.62×39 | Russia / North Korea | 122–123 | FMJ; heat-treated U12A steel core | 5.0 | 60 | 60 HRC | 725–740 Test barrel | 2,379–2,428 | 1,534–1,610 | 2,078–2,182 | 5 | [28], [29] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness). |
| LPS Light Ball (57-N-323S) | 7.62×54R | Russia / export | 148 | FMJ; steel core (heat-hardened since 1986), lead sheath | – | – | – | 820–835 Test barrel | 2,690–2,740 | 2,379–2,468 | 3,224–3,343 | 3 | [30], [31] |
| 7N13 BP Enhanced-Penetration | 7.62×54R | Russia | 145 | FMJ; heat-treated U12A tool-steel core | 6.5 | 70 | 55–60 HRC | 820–835 Test barrel | 2,690–2,740 | 2,330–2,418 | 3,159–3,276 | 6 | [30], [31] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| 7N14 Sniper AP | 7.62×54R | Russia | 151 | FMJ; pointed high-strength steel core, extra heat treatment | – | – | 60+ HRC | 815–830 Test barrel | 2,674–2,723 | 2,398–2,487 | 3,250–3,370 | 6 | [30], [31] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (hardness). |
| B-32 API Machine-gun and sniper use. | 7.62×54R | Russia / Ukraine / export | 160 | FMJ; steel core with incendiary charge | – | – | 60 HRC | 800–815 Test barrel | 2,625–2,674 | 2,449–2,541 | 3,318–3,443 | 5 | [30], [31] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (hardness). |
| China | |||||||||||||
| DBP87 / DBP95 Ball Legacy issue. | 5.8×42 | China | 64 | FMJ; hardened-steel core near base, lead sheath and nose | 4.0 | 23 | 50–55 HRC | 930 463 mm (18.2″) barrel | 3,051 | 1,323 | 1,793 | 4 | [32], [33], [34] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (hardness). |
| DBP10 Ball Current issue. | 5.8×42 | China | 71 | FMJ; hardened-steel core, thin lead sleeve | 3.8 | 25 | 55–60 HRC | 915 18.2″ barrel | 3,002 | 1,421 | 1,926 | 5 | [34], [35], [36] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core weight, hardness). |
| DVC-12 Tungsten-Core AP | 5.8×42 | China | 84.7 | FMJ; tungsten (WC-Co) penetrator, lead tip | 4.5 | 54 | WC | 878 Machine-gun and DMR barrels | 2,881 | 1,561 | 2,115 | 7.5 | [34] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core composition, diameter, weight). |
| .338 AP (assessed) No public source confirms a Chinese AP load in this calibre; figures are class-typical estimates. | 8.6×70 | China (QBU-202 / DBU-202) | 248–300 | FMJ; WC-Co penetrator (assessed) | 7.0 | 120–200 | WC (70–75 HRC) | 840–905 26–27″ barrels, class-typical | 2,756–2,969 | 4,184–5,874 | 5,670–7,961 | 10 | [37] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (all figures). |
| Other nations | |||||||||||||
| CBC NATO Ball (M80) M80 equivalent. | 7.62×51 | Brazil / CBC | 144 | FMJ; lead core | – | – | – | 833 22″ barrel, measured at 24 m | 2,733 | 2,389 | 3,237 | 2 | [38] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core). |
| CBC NATO AP (M61) | 7.62×51 | Brazil / CBC | 148 | FMJ; hardened-steel core | 6.5 | 65–70 | 58–62 HRC | 838 24″ barrel | 2,749 | 2,484 | 3,367 | 6 | [38] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core, velocity). |
| SS109-equivalent Ball (CBC, SEDENA, INDUMIL) | 5.56×45 | Brazil, Mexico, Colombia | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 900–940 CBC and INDUMIL give 915 m/s | 2,953–3,084 | 1,201–1,310 | 1,627–1,775 | 3 | [38], [39], [40] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| NATO Ball (M80-equivalent) | 7.62×51 | Mexico, Colombia | 146–147 | FMJ; lead core | – | – | – | 830–850 INDUMIL gives 838 m/s | 2,723–2,789 | 2,404–2,540 | 3,259–3,441 | 2 | [41], [40] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (Mexican weight and velocity). |
| PS-type Ball (57-N-231) | 7.62×39 | Venezuela / CAVIM (for AK-103) | 122–123 | FMJ; heat-treated steel core, lead sheath | 5.6 | 55–60 | 35–45 HRC | 710–725 Test barrel | 2,329–2,379 | 1,470–1,546 | 1,993–2,095 | 1 | [42], [43], [29] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, weight, hardness). |
| 7N23 BP AP | 7.62×39 | Venezuela (if issued) | 122–123 | FMJ; U12A tool-steel core | 5.0 | 60 | 60 HRC | 725–740 Test barrel | 2,379–2,428 | 1,534–1,610 | 2,078–2,182 | 5 | [42], [29] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (core diameter, hardness; whether Venezuela issues it). |
| Type 89 Ball (SS109-equivalent) The Type 20 rifle now uses the lead-free J3 round; its figures are not public. | 5.56×45 | Japan | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 900–940 | 2,953–3,084 | 1,201–1,310 | 1,627–1,775 | 3 | [44] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (velocity, core figures). |
| M80-equivalent Ball (MG use) | 7.62×51 | Japan | 147 | FMJ; lead core | – | – | – | 830–850 | 2,723–2,789 | 2,421–2,540 | 3,281–3,441 | 2 | [45] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (weight, velocity). |
| Poongsan K100 Ball (M855-equivalent) | 5.56×45 | South Korea / Poongsan | 62 | FMJ; steel penetrator forward, lead rear core | 4.6 | 10 | 40–45 HRC | 914 Manufacturer figure | 2,999 | 1,239 | 1,678 | 3 | [46] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (bullet weight, core figures). |
| Poongsan KM80 Ball (K12 MG) | 7.62×51 | South Korea / Poongsan | 147 | FMJ; lead core | – | – | – | 817 Manufacturer figure | 2,680 | 2,345 | 3,179 | 2 | [46] Source: Adept Internal Analysis (bullet weight). |
Figure-of-Merit Scoring Explained
The numeral at the end of each projectile’s line is a general estimate of their ability to penetrate hard armor. This was derived via calibrating to a well-documented 5.56mm dataset in 500HB steel at 900 m/s and extended by conservative physics-based scaling to other rounds. It’s a rough guideline and is not intended to be authoritative, but simply to indicate how these bullets compare in general terms. Without such a heuristic, many people default to kinetic energy, but KE alone is a very poor measure.
Notes on Armor Plate Design –
By a wide margin the most common military standard-issue small-arms threats outside Russia and China are M855/SS109-type 5.56mm, M80-type 7.62mm, and 7.62x39mm MSC. The M855/SS109 type is particularly ubiquitous. In itself, this makes a pretty good case for the military relevance of the NIJ 0101.07 RF2 specification.
But if China and Russia are considered, RF2 plates seem woefully inadequate. The standard “ball” rounds 7N10/7N10M and DBP10 – to say nothing of 7N39 and DVC-12 – are considerably tougher threats than M855, and would likely penetrate light RF2 plates even at a significant standoff. Our modeling suggests that building a plate to stop DBP10 requires a ceramic (SiC-TiB2 or B4C) thickness of roughly 6mm – not terribly far from what an RF3 plate would minimally require. And DVC-12, in particular, appears to require something beyond the average Level IV/RF3 plate.
From a Western perspective, the optimal plate for war is a lightweight RF3 that can also reliably handle threats like 7N39 and DVC-12. Something is in the works.
Sources
- MIL-C-9963F, Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M193 (US military specification)
- Wikipedia, 5.56x45mm NATO
- PM Maneuver Ammunition Systems, "M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round" media day briefing, 2011 (DTIC ADA549416)
- Nammo, 5.56 mm x 45 NATO Ball
- Basyir et al., Defence Science Journal 72(2), 2022: measured SS109-type steel core
- Nammo, 5.56 mm x 45 Armor Piercing 45
- SwissP Defence, 5.56×45 AP TC 4.1 g / 63 gr
- SwissP Defence, About (company history: RUAG Ammotec, Beretta Holding)
- BAE Systems, 5.56mm & 7.62mm ammunition brochure, February 2026
- Nammo, 5.56 mm x 45 Armor Piercing 3 (M995)
- Nammo, 7.62 mm x 51 NATO Ball
- Wikipedia, 7.62x51mm NATO (citing TM 9-1005-298-12)
- Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, FY2014 Annual Report: M80A1
- SwissP Defence, .308 Win Swiss P AP 12.7 g / 196 gr
- Nammo, 7.62 mm x 51 Armor Piercing 8 (M993)
- Wikipedia, .277 SIG Fury (commercial load; hybrid case)
- MEN Metallwerk Elisenhuette, AP Hard Core DM151
- MEN Metallwerk Elisenhuette, NATO Ball Double Core M855/SS109
- General Dynamics OTS Canada, 5.56mm ammunition brochure (2023)
- General Dynamics OTS Canada, 7.62mm ammunition brochure (2024)
- Nammo, 8.6 mm x 70 (.338 Lapua Magnum) Armor Piercing
- Lapua, .338 Lapua Mag. Armor Piercing AP485 16.1 g / 248 gr
- Great Russian Encyclopedia (bigenc.ru), 5.45×39 automatic rifle cartridges
- vimpel-v.com, 5.45×39 automatic rifle cartridge (Russian)
- Modern Firearms, 5.45×39 7N6 7N10 7N22 7N24
- Wikipedia, 5.45x39mm
- vimpel-v.com, 5.45×39 with armor-piercing bullet, 7N22 and 7N24 (Russian)
- Great Russian Encyclopedia (bigenc.ru), 7.62×39 cartridges of 1943
- Wikipedia, 7.62x39mm
- Great Russian Encyclopedia (bigenc.ru), 7.62×54 rifle and machine-gun cartridges
- Wikipedia, 7.62x54mmR
- T. Yan, "Chinese 5.8mm Infantry Small Arms Ammunition", Small Arms Review, 2006
- D. Fortier, "DBP87 5.8x42mm: China's High-Velocity Caliber", Guns & Ammo, 2017
- T. Yan, "China's 5.8x42mm Rifle Cartridge: How Good Is It?", Firearms News, 18 Feb 2023
- International Ammunition Association forum, "New 5.8mm cartridge DBP10" (quoting a Chinese article)
- NetEase article on DBP10 (Chinese)
- Wikipedia, CS/LR35 (QBU-202)
- CBC Defense, Military Ammunition Catalogue
- INDUMIL (Colombia), 5.56x45mm SS109-type cartridges
- Infodefensa, "La Industria Militar de Mexico", 21 Aug 2023
- INDUMIL (Colombia), 7.62x51mm cartridges (M-80)
- weaponland.ru, 7.62×39 cartridge (Russian)
- Colombia One, Venezuela Kalashnikov ammunition plant, 4 Jul 2025
- European Security & Defence, DSEI Japan 2023: new 5.56 mm high-power ammunition
- trafficnews.jp, JGSDF 7.62×51 ammunition (Japanese)
- Poongsan, ammunition catalogue
