On The Point of AP Rifle Ammo...

[AK103K]

I think the problem we have with a lot of these laws is, the people writing them, don't have a clue as to what they are talking about, and we get stupid stuff dumped on us and have to deal with the aftermath.

We all know how dangerous those shoulder things that go up are!

 

[Jim Watson]

The first really effective handgun AP was the KTW with infamous Teflon coated bullet (Actually three different types.) Previous types from WW with thick jacket over a pointy nose and the zinc RP Hi-Way Master never got much notice.

But when a tv performer shot holes in a Kevlar vest with KTW, the left liberals took notice.
KTW's original intent was to sell only to police departments for the purpose of shooting barricaded criminals. Soft vests were not even in wide distribution at the time. But a greedy dealer sued them for restraint of trade so he could sell them to his survivalist customers, and they eventually got on television.

The variety of brands, types, and grades of vest made performance based restriction unfeasible, so government ballisticians formulated the Seven Naughty Metals Doctrine. So a handgun bullet made of or cored with iron, steel, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, tungsten, or uranium is by definition, "armor piercing." They later added any bullet with a jacket comprising more than 25% of its weight, apparently in order to keep out the flood of Swedish surplus 9mm ammo.

The law was used to keep out steel cored Chicom 7.62 because Oly made a "pistol" for the round.

 

[AK103K]

With the advent of all the AR "pistols", Im surprised that the 5.56 hasn't been affected. Same goes for the 30-06. Contender makes a gun that shoots it.

Or is that one of those, "shut up or they'll hear" things,

 

[Jim Watson]

We feared that 5.56 M855 with partial steel core would be caught up in the
AR "pistol" dragnet along with .30 AP in the fast firing Thompson Center Encore*, but those rounds was specifically exempted.

*There was a tv villain who seemed to always find time to reload his TC with explosive bullets.

 

[AK103K]

Back to the RIA's making the laws, the "armor-piercing" thing was basically a handgun thing, against soft armor the cops were wearing.

Yet pretty much any rifle round out there will easily penetrate most all of those vests. So, its really all for naught, other than to get something banned, and keep us under control and a thumb.

 

[Archie]

https://mtncitysupply.net/50-cal-bmg-ap-10-pack/

https://www.ammogarand.com/3006-ap-m2-armor-piercing-250rds-loose-in-30-can-non3006225030.html

https://www.firequest.com/ARM-223.html

You have a handgun chambered for .50 BMG? You are more of a man than I.

 

[AK103K]

You have a handgun chambered for .50 BMG? You are more of a man than I.

Here ya go. Watch the video at the end. Kind of anti-climatic, like shooting a 50 rifle, but still cool.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/02/10/50-bmg-single-shot-handgun/

 

[Archie]

Don't forget state laws. PDSR California outlaws a number of Federally untouched stuff. I think (not sure) AP ammo of recent vintage (7.62x51mm NATO, et al) are banned in that state, and tracers are banned (fire hazard with some justification). Not sure about other states. I have no real need for either.

Just day dreaming, but I think 7.62x51mm NATO or .30-06 Springfield AP rounds might be effective on Cape Buffalo or other large game. But likely not allowed in those areas.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, you have the opposing forces of the hard core's penetration vs the spitzer's tendency to deflect on heavy muscle and bone.

Earlier on, there was a lot of experimenting done with steel nosed express rifle bullets. Explosive, too.

 

[jmorris]

You have a handgun chambered for .50 BMG? You are more of a man than I.

I don’t but Maddi and triple action both made them.

 

[pairof44sp]

The problem is, if you pushed it, you would get to pay your lawyer to explain all that stuff in court while the prosecution showed pictures of holes in bulletproof vests.

The only practical application of AP that I ever saw was some of that exempted M2 in my friend the deputy's rifle. There was a tip of a large dope shipment coming in by boat. He was the "French roadblock*." That is, he was back up the road a ways with a rifle full of AP. If the dope runners blew past the deputies at the landing, he would rearrange their engine block with no further discussion. The shipment did not arrive on schedule so we don't know how that setup would have worked.

*Jan Stevenson described a French roadblock as a gendarme with a clipboard. If you didn't stop, there would be an automatic rifle or LMG a little way down the road.

Thank you. I am now going to turn around and go back to look for that guy with the clipboard whom I just blew past.

 

[Archie]

Me: "... .50 BMG handgun ..."

I don’t but Maddi and triple action both made them.

Taken as reported. Why?

 

[jmorris]

I suppose to have the biggest baddest.?

I don’t own one but the 50 BMG itself “why” question isn’t the easiest to answer. I suppose it’s the best firearm I’ve machined to blow holes through 1” steel plate...other than that “because I can”, is all I’ve got. I’ve never been one to allow a silly thing like need dictate my purchases though.