Field reference · military & surplus

Military Surplus Cartridge Chart

Historic and modern military rifle cartridges: when and where each served, the rifles that fired it, the issued load, speed, energy, iron-sight point-blank range and how it's used for hunting today. Tap a column header to sort.

	Service history	Service rifles					Hunting today	Twist

How MPBR is figured

These are military rifles, so point-blank range assumes their original iron sights, about 0.9" over the bore, with the issued military load, a 6" vital zone, sea-level air and a G1 model. Sight-in height is at 100 yards. A scope changes the numbers.

Shooting surplus

Much old surplus ammo uses corrosive primers. Clean the bore, bolt face and gas system with water-based cleaner the same day.
Military full metal jacket bullets don't expand and are illegal for big game in many states. Hunt with soft-point loads.
Have an old rifle checked by a gunsmith (headspace especially) before shooting it.

Keep in mind

Years, loads, velocities and BCs are typical figures from my own knowledge, not looked up. Many cartridges served in several countries and wars; the tags show their main eras.