M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing: Difference between revisions

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'''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''' (abbreviated '''M634 X-HP-SAP''') ammunition is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] .374-caliber rifle projectile that is made specifically for the [[UNSC]] [[Battle Rifle|BR55 Battle Rifle series]].
==Introduction==
Introduced along with the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]] as an improvement over the standard 7.62x51mm [[assault rifle|assault rifles]] in the [[UNSC]]'s inventory, this intermediate round provides good accuracy, controllability, and effectiveness against most [[Covenant]] personnel. Unlike most ammunition types in the Halo games, this is not a real-life [[ammo]] type.


==Physics==
'''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''' (abbreviated '''M634 X-HP-SAP''') ammunition is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] rifle projectile that is made specifically for the [[UNSC]] [[Battle Rifle|BR55 Battle Rifle series]]. Its metric dimensions are 9.5x40mm, compared to the [[7.62x51mm NATO]] [[Rounds|rounds]] used in the [[MA5 Series]] of UNSC assault rifles. It was introduced into the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] along with the [[BR55 Battle Rifle]].
The 9.5mm cartridge's performance is consistent with other special-purpose rifle calibers, offering high power and accuracy in close-combat engagements. In a rifle weighing anywhere between 8.5 to 11 pounds, this would produce manageable felt recoil that could be placed somewhere between that of the modern-day AK-47 and a full-power rifle such as the FN FAL, with a muzzle energy of around 3,200 joules, although it is only an estimation based on the width of the cartridge and how many rounds it takes to kill an opponent.  


The 9.5x40mm cartridge is used in standard 36-round magazines for the BR55, providing the shooter with twelve bursts before a reload is required. Though fire selection is disabled in game, for simplicity of gameplay and balance, in the Halo Shorts, the BR55 is capable of fully automatic fire.
In combination with the BR55 Battle Rifle, this round is accurate enough that the 2x scope on the Battle Rifle is useful. Even when fired in three-shot bursts, the round produces little recoil resulting in nearly no muzzle lift. It is more effective against both shielded and unshielded [[Covenant]] personnel then the 7.62x51mm NATO, as the increased accuracy leads to an increased number of headshots and the increased kinetic energy of the round leads to faster shield depletion and increased damage to unshielded enemies. It has been shown that a [[BR55 Battle Rifle]] with M634 ammunition does enough damage to kill an opponent faster than an [[MA5C Assault Rifle]] using 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. Overall, the M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing round provides good accuracy, controllability, and effectiveness against all personnel.


The only weapon that uses this caliber cartridge is the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]], which first appeared in [[Halo 2]] and returned in [[Halo 3]]. The fact that the Battle Rifle does much more damage than the original Assault Rifle could have to do with the higher knockdown power and kinetic energy transfer effect of the larger projectiles.
However, while the M634 X-HP-SAP does do more damage than the 7.62x51mm NATO against vehicles, it is still not a very effective round at damaging or stopping vehicles.


Overall, the 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Armor-Piercing round is an excellent medium-range intermediate cartridge, providing comparable effectiveness to the antiquated Russian 9x39mm round. The 9x39mm SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic armor piercing cartridges, which were developed for a series of special purpose sniper rifles and compact assault rifles, are also similar in use to the 9.5x40mm cartridge in the BR55. In many ways, the Battle Rifle is more of a true Assault Rifle than the MA5 Series, as its shorter, more controllable cartridge provides it with a great deal of accuracy and effectiveness against armored and energy-shielded foes in a wide variety of situations. However, rifle cartridges of this caliber are likely much more powerful than more usual calibers like 7.62mm or 5.56mm. For it to be more 'controllable' than previous rifle rounds, either the BR55 or the cartridge must incorporate some highly effective recoil-damping system that is not discussed or externally visible, as the weapon lacks a noticible muzzle brake. The three prongs on the barrel would be a flash hider rather than for recoil control.


The 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Armor-Piercing round has a shorter cartridge and a larger round than the 7.62mm NATO which should make the round bulkier, decrease muzzle velocity, and shorten the range.  However the 40mm case has been downsized to be more compact and could have a more efficient powder hence solving the issue with the smaller case.
==Properties==
 
As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a similar if not higher muzzle velocity then the [[7.62x51mm NATO]] while using a smaller cartridge; the M634 X-HP-SAP effectively packs a larger "punch" in a shorter casing. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that is mixes the properties of an [[Armor Piercing Rounds|armor-piercing round]] with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the [[M225 Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive]] used in the [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]].
 
==History==
 
Unlike most ammunition types in the Halo games, this is not a real-life ammo type, the closest comparison a 9x39mm special purpose Soviet round. The soviet round was designed as an expansion of their primary 7.62x39mm assault rifle ammunition in order to give the round higher kinetic energy and thus greater target damage. It was only used by certain special operations teams in suppressed assault rifles.
 
The M634 is likely the result of the human inclinations towards bigger things (leading to the 9.5 mm bullet) and technological manipulation (leading to the experimental propellant).


==Related Pages==
{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
[[Category:Ammunition]]
[[Category:Ammunition]]
[[Category:UNSC]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[Category:Human Weapons]]
[[Category:UNSC Weapons]]

Revision as of 22:24, June 8, 2009

Template:Ratings

M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing (abbreviated M634 X-HP-SAP) ammunition is a type of United Nations Space Command rifle projectile that is made specifically for the UNSC BR55 Battle Rifle series. Its metric dimensions are 9.5x40mm, compared to the 7.62x51mm NATO rounds used in the MA5 Series of UNSC assault rifles. It was introduced into the UNSC Marine Corps along with the BR55 Battle Rifle.

In combination with the BR55 Battle Rifle, this round is accurate enough that the 2x scope on the Battle Rifle is useful. Even when fired in three-shot bursts, the round produces little recoil resulting in nearly no muzzle lift. It is more effective against both shielded and unshielded Covenant personnel then the 7.62x51mm NATO, as the increased accuracy leads to an increased number of headshots and the increased kinetic energy of the round leads to faster shield depletion and increased damage to unshielded enemies. It has been shown that a BR55 Battle Rifle with M634 ammunition does enough damage to kill an opponent faster than an MA5C Assault Rifle using 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. Overall, the M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing round provides good accuracy, controllability, and effectiveness against all personnel.

However, while the M634 X-HP-SAP does do more damage than the 7.62x51mm NATO against vehicles, it is still not a very effective round at damaging or stopping vehicles.


Properties

As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a similar if not higher muzzle velocity then the 7.62x51mm NATO while using a smaller cartridge; the M634 X-HP-SAP effectively packs a larger "punch" in a shorter casing. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that is mixes the properties of an armor-piercing round with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the M225 Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive used in the M7/Caseless Submachine Gun.

History

Unlike most ammunition types in the Halo games, this is not a real-life ammo type, the closest comparison a 9x39mm special purpose Soviet round. The soviet round was designed as an expansion of their primary 7.62x39mm assault rifle ammunition in order to give the round higher kinetic energy and thus greater target damage. It was only used by certain special operations teams in suppressed assault rifles.

The M634 is likely the result of the human inclinations towards bigger things (leading to the 9.5 mm bullet) and technological manipulation (leading to the experimental propellant).

Template:UNSC Infantry Weapons

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