Lindcott Armory Rifle · Soviet / Russian GRAU
12.7x108mm Soviet
Soviet equivalent to .50 BMG.
- Caliber
- 0.511″ · 12.98 mm
- Introduced
- 1934
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1934
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Inventor
- Soviet Ordnance
- Manufacturer
- Tula Arsenal
- Standard
- Soviet / Russian GRAU
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Military Surplus
- Case capacity
- 340 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:15
- Primer
- Berdan Large Rifle / Military
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 52,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 2000 yd
- Max range
- 7500 yd
- Recoil
- 80–110 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,756–2,825 fps · 19 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 12.7x108mm Soviet ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.98 | 0.511 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.95 | 0.549 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 18.90 | 0.744 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 18.2° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 21.75 | 0.856 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 21.70 | 0.854 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.90 | 0.075 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 15.19 | 0.598 | ≈ |
| Case length | 108.00 | 4.252 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 147.50 | 5.807 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 12.7x108mm Soviet is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 19 active loads across 15 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norinco | Norinco Mil | 800 | FMJ | 2,825 | 14,174 | — |
| Poongsan | Poongsan Mil | 800 | FMJBT | 2,825 | 14,174 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 810 | FMJ | 2,821 | 14,311 | — |
| Barnaul | FMJ Ball | 822 | FMJ | 2,788 | 14,185 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 822 | FMJ | 2,788 | 14,185 | — |
| PPU | FMJ Ball | 822 | FMJ | 2,788 | 14,185 | — |
| Tula | AP | 730 | AP | 2,756 | 12,310 | — |
| RUAG | FMJ | 750 | FMJ | 2,756 | 12,647 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 12.7x108mm Soviet
6 models in the database chamber 12.7x108mm Soviet. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1934 for Soviet heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons. Similar role to American .50 BMG. Used in famous DShK heavy machine gun. Saw extensive combat in WWII and every Soviet/Russian conflict since. Currently used in OSV-96 and KSVK sniper rifles. Slightly shorter but fatter case than .50 BMG. Not interchangeable despite similar bore diameter.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 12.7x108mm Soviet use?
- 12.7x108mm Soviet typically uses a 1:15 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 12.7x108mm Soviet?
- 12.7x108mm Soviet uses a 0.511″ (12.98 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 12.7x108mm Soviet still in production?
- 12.7x108mm Soviet is active; typical availability is military surplus.
- What is 12.7x108mm Soviet used for?
- 12.7x108mm Soviet is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 19 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →