Introducing the 7.62X40-the new .30 caliber AR solution

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/762x40wt.htm


The Practical .30 Cal. AR-15 Solution

Available now from Wilson Combat - The 7.62x40 WT (Wilson Tactical) is an all new powerful .30 caliber cartridge solution for the standard AR-15 rifle platform that is inherently accurate, low recoil and only requires one unique part - a new barrel. The 7.62x40 WT works with all other standard pattern 5.56 AR components and is completely reliable with the new Lancer® L5 AWM magazines as modified by Wilson Combat.

Ideal for Hunting and Tactical Use

The wide range of available .30 caliber hunting bullets makes the 7.62x40 WT an ideal choice for hunting of medium to large size game with the downrange ballistic performance only a .30 Caliber projectile can deliver. Experienced shooters will be pleased by the match grade accuracy and terminal effectiveness and energy easily exceeding the 7.62x39 Russian, while novice shooters will appreciate the mild recoil and low report.
Tactical shooters looking for a hard hitting, fast handling, practical .30 Caliber AR-15 service carbine will find the 7.62x40 WT a viable alternative to the 5.56x45 for self defense and law enforcement applications. With 18/19 or 28/29 round capacity using Wilson Combat modified Lancer® L5 AWM 5.56 magazines, maximum firepower is retained.

Components, Loaded Ammunition and Complete Guns

The 7.62x40 WT cartridge is based on a standard Lake City 5.56x45 NATO/.223 cartridge case that goes through a simple shortening and reforming operation to achieve appropriate cartridge dimensions. Wilson Combat has reloading dies, case gages, cartridge cases, handload data and a variety of loaded ammunition to fully support this caliber.

A complete lineup of Wilson Combat 7.62x40 WT rifles, uppers and match-grade barrels are also available now.

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 MV, 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

Available Wilson Combat® Rifle Models

SBR Tactical Model, 11.3"

Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and Lower Receiver
Wilson Combat SBR Tactical Match Grade Barrel with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or Polygonal Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
Carbine Length Gas System with Lo-Profile Gas Block
Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with Accu-Tac Flash Hider
Wilson Combat T.R.I.M. Rail - 10.4"
Ergo Pistol Grip
Wilson Combat Tactical Triggerguard
Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
Wilson Combat TTU (Tactical Trigger Unit) Single Stage, 4#
Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP Inspected, NP3 Coated
Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower Receivers
Armor-Tuff® Finish
20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM Magazine
Recon Tactical Model, 16"

Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and Lower Receiver
Wilson Combat Recon Tactical Match Grade Barrel with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or Polygonal Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
Carbine Length Gas System with Lo-Profile Gas Block
Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with Accu-Tac Flash Hider
Wilson Combat T.R.I.M. Rail - 9.3"
Ergo Pistol Grip
Wilson Combat Tactical Triggerguard
Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
Wilson Combat TTU (Tactical Trigger Unit) Single Stage, 4#
Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP Inspected, NP3 Coated
Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower Receivers
Armor-Tuff® Finish
20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM Magazine
Tactical Hunter Model, 18" or 20"

Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and Lower Receiver
Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter Match Grade Barrel with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or Polygonal Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
Mid Length Gas System with Lo-Profile Gas Block
18" or 20" with Crowned Muzzle or 18" with Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with Accu-Tac Flash Hider
Wilson Combat T.R.I.M. Rail - 10.4" on 18" Barrels, 12.6" on 20" Barrels
Ergo Pistol Grip
Wilson Combat Tactical Triggerguard
Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
Wilson Combat TTU (Tactical Trigger Unit) Two-Stage, 4#
Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP Inspected, NP3 Coated
Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower Receivers
Armor-Tuff® Finish
20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM Magazine
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7.62x40 WT Handload Data


110gr Sierra Hollow Point
21gr Hodgdon H110
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.110” OAL
110gr Barnes TTSX
21gr Hodgdon H110 (16” barrels or shorter)
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.250” OAL

110gr Barnes TTSX
25gr Accurate 1680 (16” barrels or longer)
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.250” OAL

125gr Sierra Pro Hunter
25.5gr Accurate 1680
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.160” OAL

125gr Speer TNT
25.5gr Accurate 1680
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.250” OAL

125gr Nosler Ballistic Hunter
25gr Accurate 1680
Lake City formed case
Remington 7 ½
2.250” OAL

These loads have proven to be safe in our test guns, but as with all handload data we suggest you start with a 10% reduction in powder charge weight. Wilson Combat assumes no liability for the use or misuse of this information, use at your own risk.

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7.62x40 WT Project Available Products



Barrels
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, SBR Tactical, 11.3", Stainless
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, Recon Tactical, 16", Stainless
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, Recon Tactical, 16", Stainless, Fluted
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 18", Stainless, Non-Threaded
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 18", Stainless
Match Grade Barrel, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 20", Stainless, Non-Threaded
Ammunition
7.62x40 WT | 110 gr. Sierra HP, 2425 FPS - 16" Barrel, 20/Box
7.62x40 WT | 110 gr. Barnes TTSX, 2400 FPS - 16" Barrel, 20/Box
7.62x40 WT | 125 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 2350 FPS - 16" Barrel, 20/Box
7.62x40 WT | 125 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter, 2350 FPS - 16" Barrel, 20/Box
7.62x40 WT | 125 gr. Speer TNT, 2400 FPS - 16" Barrel, 20/Box
Reloading
Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension 2-Die Set, 7.62x40 WT
Cartridge Gauge, 7.62x40 WT
Brass, 7.62x40 WT, Unprimed, 100/Bag
Brass, 7.62x40 WT, Unprimed, Once Fired, 100/Bag
Magazines
AR Style Magazine, 7.62x40 WT, 20 Round, Polymer | Lancer L5 AWM
AR Style Magazine, 7.62x40 WT, 30 Round, Polymer | Lancer L5 AWM

Complete Upper Assemblies
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, SBR Tactical, 11.3"
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, Recon Tactical, 16"
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, Recon Tactical, 16", Fluted
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 18"
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 18", Non-Threaded
Complete Upper Assembly, 7.62x40 WT, Tactical Hunter, 20"

What are the case dimensions of the 7.62x40 and capacity compared to the 300 Blackout? What pressures are both rounds loaded to? How deeply does the 150 gr bullet intrude into the powder space? Which 150 gr bullet is used, is it a flat base or boat tail? With a twist of 1:11 or 1:12, does that mean this new round intended to run bullets of 150 gr & less? Has the 7.62x40 been submitted to SAAMI? The blurb states that the factory ammo will be fire-formed upon firing to give an additional grain of capacity. Where does the factory case headspace? When fire-formed, what changes? Does the fire-formed case have less body taper and/or steeper shoulder angle?

What has been posted is a lot of advertising hype with very little technical data

I don't think fire forming increases apparent case capacity in any significant way because at the chamber pressures of rifle cartridges, the brass flows to fill the chamber as you shoot it the first time and is not really 'noticed' by the powder. Also why does the brass need to be fire formed anyway compared to, say, 5.56mm? Why would it not match the chamber?

Also, powder burn rate has 95% to do with bullet weight and about 5% to do with barrel length. This is because peak chamber pressure - the limit of how much powder you can use, is reached before the bullet has moved even one inch. So there would be no reason to change from H110 to A1680 when you go from a 16 or under length barrel to an over 16 inch barrel. Whichever powder gives the most velocity in a 10 inch barrel will almost certainly also give the most velocity in a 16 or 20 inch barrel as well.

Just to give an example, I put 7.62x40mm into QuickDesign, and then simulated it in QuickLoad. With a 10 inch barrel and a Nosler 125 loaded to 2.25 OAL, the top powders are (deleting the ones not available in the US) from most to least velocity:

Winchester 296
Hodgdon Lil'Gun
Hodgdon H110
Accurate 5744
Alliant 2400
Ramshot Enforcer
Accurate 1680

Now I change to a 20 inch barrel, and the top powders are:

Winchester 296
Hodgdon Lil'Gun
Hodgdon H110
Accurate 5744
Accurate 1680
Alliant 2400
Ramshot Enforcer

You can see - A1680 moved up two slots so there is some gain, but still did not overtake H110/296. It could be wrong and pressure barrel tests would be definitive, but at least this shows the theory that powder selection does not have much to do with barrel length.

MistWolf,
We try to answer as many questions as we can initially think of on the website. On the barrels pages, you'll note that our 762x40WT barrels are 1/12" twist. While we mention that the round is designed with use with bullets from 11-150 grains in mind, we don't produce any loads with 150gr bullets. Your handloading choice of 150grain bullets would determine how much case capacity the bullet would take up.

I am working on a schematic that I can post to address your cartridge dimension questions. Thanks for the interest!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MistWolf

What are the case dimensions of the 7.62x40 and capacity compared to the 300 Blackout? What pressures are both rounds loaded to? How deeply does the 150 gr bullet intrude into the powder space? Which 150 gr bullet is used, is it a flat base or boat tail? With a twist of 1:11 or 1:12, does that mean this new round intended to run bullets of 150 gr & less? Has the 7.62x40 been submitted to SAAMI? The blurb states that the factory ammo will be fire-formed upon firing to give an additional grain of capacity. Where does the factory case headspace? When fire-formed, what changes? Does the fire-formed case have less body taper and/or steeper shoulder angle?

What has been posted is a lot of advertising hype with very little technical data

---

Will try to get our reamer print posted on the web site.

Flat base 150gr bullets work best since they take up less powder capacity, but the cartridge really shines with 125gr bullets. It's strictly designed for supersonic use, this is why we only offer 1-10 to 1-12 twist bbls. For reference 125gr Speer TNTs do not waste any powder capacity, the base of the bullet is at the bottom of the neck.

Fireformed cases have less body taper and a steeper angle shoulder. It headspaces on an area of the shoulder that doesn't change, you will just have more shoulder area to headspace on after firing.

We have not decided if we will submit to SAAMI. I have personally shot THOUSANDS of rounds that were loaded hotter than the ammo we sell with no issues.

So this would require a new barrel and proprietary magazines? Would the modifications made to the Lancer mag be able to be done with other magazines and would it be able to be done by the end user?

"Also, powder burn rate has 95% to do with bullet weight and about 5% to do with barrel length. This is because peak chamber pressure - the limit of how much powder you can use, is reached before the bullet has moved even one inch. So there would be no reason to change from H110 to A1680 when you go from a 16 or under length barrel to an over 16 inch barrel. Whichever powder gives the most velocity in a 10 inch barrel will almost certainly also give the most velocity in a 16 or 20 inch barrel as well. "

The above was posted by RSilvers and may be true in theory or what Quickload lists, but all I can tell you is that in real world application this is what happens............

16" or less bbls: H110 has no muzzle flash and maximum safe velocity is basically the same as A1680, with A1680 in a 11" we get substantial muzzle flash (not good with NV) and no real velocity gain.

In 18" or longer bbls: A1680 gives us maximum velocity at less pressure than H110. With A1680 you can get a SUBSTANTIAL velocity increase with a 20" bbl over a 16" bbl. You simply can't get enough A1680 in the case to create serious pressure signs either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShortytheFirefighter

So this would require a new barrel and proprietary magazines? Would the modifications made to the Lancer mag be able to be done with other magazines and would it be able to be done by the end user?

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Yes bbl and mag is all that's required

We have found the new Lancer AWM to be the best mag for this cartridge. We are removing a portion of the front rib, yes it can be done by had with a wood rasp or something similar, however we do a much better job with our CNC machine (-:

What is probably happening is that QuickLoad is incorrect about which powder gives the most velocity. You have found that A1680, in actual testes, gives the most velocity, but has too much flash for short barrels. That makes sense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rsilvers

What is probably happening is that QuickLoad is incorrect about which powder gives the most velocity. You have found that A1680, in actual testes, gives the most velocity, but has too much flash for short barrels. That makes sense.

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A1680 has always given the highest velocity and I have not seen any pressure signs that concern me at all and have never blown a primer........can't say that about H110 when trying to get to top velocity!!!! Just way too much flash and boom in short bbls for me......