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About 5.45x39 Ammunition

The 5.45×39 cartridge was developed in 1974 for use with the AK-74 rifle. The cartridge was intended to replace the currently issued 7.62×39 round and perform similarly to the West’s 5.56x45mm NATO round. By going to a smaller diameter projectile, higher velocities could be achieved. Simply put, what the 5.45×39 may lack in mass when compared to the 7.62×39, it makes up for in its velocity and extended effective range. A lighter projectile traveling at higher velocities allows for a higher degree of penetration as well, a factor which was important to the Soviets during the Cold War era. Like its predecessor, the 5.45×39 has been utilized in a wide variety of firearms. Everything from mainline service rifles such as the AK-74 and AK-12 to shorter firearms like Krinkovs and even RPK light machine guns in the cartridge. The 5.45×39 essentially sought to be the Soviet’s answer to the 5.56x45mm NATO round. Many 5.45×39 loadings were developed for military usage such as the multiple 7N6 designations designed to have a good effect on body armor.

Types of 5.45x39 Loadings

• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Like the name suggests, these types of loadings feature projectiles which are adorned with metal jacketing. This jacket is generally made of copper and will cover the tip and sides of the projectile. Typically, the base of the projectile is left uncoated. These types of loadings are well-suited for range use and are some of the most common types of ammo one will encounter.
• Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT): HPBT loadings feature hollow point projectiles with boat tail style bases. These differ from traditional projectiles with flat bases and are well-suited to precision-oriented shooting. Like traditional hollow point loadings, these loadings are also designed to facilitate expansion on impact.
• Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail (FMJBT): Like FMJ loadings, ammunition of this type features a projectile that is fully encapsulated in a metal jacket. This metal is generally going to be of the copper variety. Typical FMJ projectiles feature a flat base while boat tail projectiles feature a tapered base which resembles a boat tail. This geometry promotes accuracy and high velocities.

Firearms that Use 5.45x39 Ammo

Most of the firearms chambered in 5.45×39 are going to be AK-74 based. These firearms will come in a variety of sizes and form factors, ranging from standard service rifles to the shorter Krinkov rifles. While Kalashnikov designs are the most prevalent firearms in this caliber, one will also find other types of firearms that accept the round. If someone wishes to get into a 5.45×39 chambered firearm, they can certainly find something if they truly want to.

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