7.62x40 WT (Wilson Tactical)

[gshorter]

Go to the wilsoncombat website, information is under new products.

I know I'm not the only person researching .300 Whisper and other similar cartridges. Everything seemed very hard to get started with for reloading, as there was not a large manufacturer behind it. If you check the site, they have everything right there for you to get started. I do not own and AR but I might in the future because of this. Any opinions about the ups and downs of using this cartridge in competition?

[iainmcphersn]

Time will tell about use in competition but it looks like a simple conversion. Swap the barrel and mags.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I know the whisper/blackout stuff was specifically designed for subsonic use, but I thought people were running lighter bullets at supersonic speeds with it. So what would be the point of the 7.62x40? Especially if you have to run a different mag. They don't state anything on the website about OAL of the cartridge or any reason why a different mag would have to be used. It also doesn't say if you'd have to do anything to your lower in order for the other mag to fit.

It actually doesn't give much info at all. No load data. No ballistics.

[Bryan 45]

This is another one of those "cause we can" cartridges. What's it good for? It will do several things, but none really well. It won't shoot as flat as 5.56, and won't be allowed at most matches for Heavy Metal (because it's still an intermediate cartridge).

Edit to add- There may be some "real world" applications where this cartridge fills a void. My "real world" use for a rifle consists of 3 gun matches though, so it's not for me!

Edited April 10, 2011 by Bryan 45

[GentlemanJim]

The best question ...does it make major power factor? If yes, It may have value in USPSA multi gun

If no, what other advantage does it give you?

Jim

[mwx40x40]

How does it compare to the 300 Blackout?

[iainmcphersn]

The best question ...does it make major power factor? If yes, It may have value in USPSA multi gun

If no, what other advantage does it give you?

Jim

From Wilson's website:

7.62x40 WT (16” barrel)

110gr: 2450FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1466 Foot Pounds of Energy

125gr: 2400FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1599 Foot Pounds of Energy

150gr: 2200FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1612 Foot Pounds of Energy

Looks like it will make USPSA Major with 150 gr bullets. No load data for the 150's though.

[gshorter]

I know the whisper/blackout stuff was specifically designed for subsonic use, but I thought people were running lighter bullets at supersonic speeds with it. So what would be the point of the 7.62x40? Especially if you have to run a different mag. They don't state anything on the website about OAL of the cartridge or any reason why a different mag would have to be used. It also doesn't say if you'd have to do anything to your lower in order for the other mag to fit.

It actually doesn't give much info at all. No load data. No ballistics.

If you click on the dies on the site, load data is presented in a PDF

Also when the story for this first came out, they had trajectory data and I recall it being respectable. As for the best I can find right now, here's a little more info on the cartridge.-

Project Goal

Develop an inherently accurate and low recoil cartridge in the immensely popular .30 caliber that has more terminal effectiveness than the 5.56 while utilizing as many standard AR platform 5.56/.223 components as possible.

Cartridge Application

Designed for tactical/defense applications as well as hunting for medium sized game such as deer and feral hogs. The 7.62x40 WT (Wilson Tactical) has very useful tactical applications with soft point and hollow point bullets providing reliable terminal performance on soft tissue while the Barnes TTSX will easily penetrate tough barriers. For hunting the 7.62x40 WT vastly out performs the 5.56 and is on par with the 6.8SPC at ranges out to 175-200 yards. The VERY mild recoil of the 7.62x40 WT also makes it ideal for female and younger shooters as well as anyone that’s recoil sensitive.

Cartridge Specifics

The 7.62x40 WT is based on the inexpensive and readily available 5.56x45 Nato cartridge case. The 5.56 case is shortened to 1.560” and then re-sized (single operation) in a standard 7.62x40 WT sizing die which results in a formed 7.62x40 WT case with a finished overall case length of 1.565”. The cartridge is designed for 110-150gr .308” diameter bullets loaded to supersonic velocities, but if chambered in a 1-8 twist barrel is also suitable for heavy bullet subsonic use also.

[gshorter]

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

Need any other info?