Cartridge (not just bullet) weights??

[B24]

Here's a question I've never seen asked.

Does anyone know where I can get a list of nominal cartridge weights? Note: I am NOT inquiring about bullet weights, but rather the entire cartridge (with a "typical" bullet for that cartridge).

This becomes just one more item to consider when trying to decide between say a .223Rem or .308Win rifle. For example, if mobile and opting to carry say 20 pounds of ammo; how many .223/.308 rounds would that translate to. My guess is for this particular example, I'd expect the ratio to be somewhere between 2-3 to 1 (i.e., .308 is 2-3x heavier than .223).

Don't bother with a "hunter's" answer of "gee, how many rounds to you need to shoot a deer?" I'm talking about bug-out type considerations and general storage or transport of ammo, not a single hunting trip.

If this is the wrong forum area for this question... feel free to point me to the more apropos one. I just joined THR yesterday.

Thanks

 

[MachIVshooter]

You'll not find anything definitive, since bullet, charge and the case itself will vary substantially. Standard M59 7.62mm Ball ammo is roughly 390 grains/cartridge, while M193 5.56mm Ball is ~ 180 grains each.

 

[snorko]

It's funny, I was thinking about this this morning. I was considering dumping a lot of my bulk ammo into .30 cal. ammo cans with O2 absorbers. I wanted to make weight fairly uniform for shelf stacking purposes and thought about calculating X number of rounds + ammo can = say 25 lbs.

 

[Blakenzy]

I think that you should take into account what material the cartridge case is made out of. Aluminum cased ammo is noticeably lighter than their brass counterparts. I often wonder why the military doesn't do their men a favor and issue aluminum cased ammo, since they have no intention or need of reloading.

 

[B24]

Thanks all... especially MachIVShooter for some specifics with my example.

I love 7.62x51 ballistics and reach/power, but can also appreciate the extra rounds I could pack out if I had a 5.56 AR-15 instead.

Based on MackIV's info and sample cartridges; here's some numbers some of you may be interested in.

Assume you alloted 25lbs for ammo:
- If you have a 308 rifle, you could carry 450 rounds
- If you have a 223 rifle, you could carry 972 rounds

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away."

 

[VA27]

If you have a 45/70 rifle, you could carry 278 rounds.

 

[B24]

Thanks for yet another data point VA27. Now... whose got the numbers for .22LR?
I'm guessing close to 2,000.

 

[Millwright]

Weigh a "brick" of .22LR and multiply........

Seems one of those "goofy" questions to me. The "answer" is highly dependant upon how big you are, what other "goodies" you're carrying, and how far/fast you've got to go......A basic combat load of 80-90 lbs. or 45 % of your body weight on a really good web system is a bitch !

BTW, the "biggest load" you'll be carrying is water !! In any SHTF scenario the "rule of three" applies. "Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food".......Or do you have that 'magic nose' that can sense water in remote/arid areas ? (You gotta remember the "enemy" knows the same things and will stake out any known water sources.) A lot of dead soldiers attest to this truism !!

All this said, I'd opt for .22LR solids in a very good semiauto rifle as a 'bug-out' weapon, backed by the same caliber pistol. Low noise factor, good penetration, ready availability and low weight/rd. Thus armed you can always get 'more firepower', if needed. >MW