Lindcott Armory Rifle · Soviet / Russian GRAU
5.45x39mm Soviet
Soviet answer to 5.56 NATO.
- Caliber
- 0.2205″ · 5.6 mm
- Introduced
- 1974
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1974
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Inventor
- Soviet Ordnance
- Manufacturer
- Tula Arsenal
- Standard
- Soviet / Russian GRAU
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Moderate
- Case capacity
- 26.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:7.87
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 51,488 psi
- Eff. range
- 500 yd
- Max range
- 2800 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–4 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady SST 60gr Superformance 60 gr, 2,953 fps, BC 0.144 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 2951 | 1160 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2633 | 923 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2332 | 725 | -3.5″ | -1.7 |
| 300 yd | 2051 | 561 | -13.4″ | -4.3 |
| 400 yd | 1787 | 426 | -31.7″ | -7.6 |
| 500 yd | 1539 | 315 | -61.0″ | -11.6 |
| 600 yd | 1306 | 227 | -105.1″ | -16.7 |
| 700 yd | 1101 | 161 | -169.8″ | -23.2 |
| 800 yd | 1009 | 136 | -262.8″ | -31.4 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 5.45x39mm 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 ⌀ | 5.60 | 0.220 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.29 | 0.248 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.25 | 0.364 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 20.3° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.00 | 0.394 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 10.00 | 0.394 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 5.82 | 0.229 | ≈ |
| Case length | 39.82 | 1.568 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 57.00 | 2.244 | ✓ |
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. 5.45x39mm Soviet is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 41 active loads across 25 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 41 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | SST 60gr Superformance | 60 | SST | 2,953 | 1,162 | 0.144 G7 |
| Hornady | SST | 60 | SST | 2,953 | 1,162 | 0.144 G7 |
| Barnes | TSX FB 52gr | 52 | TSX FB | 3,100 | 1,109 | — |
| Nosler | Ballistic Tip | 55 | Ballistic Tip | 3,000 | 1,099 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ Training | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Arsenal | M74 FMJ | 53 | FMJ BT | 2,953 | 1,026 | — |
| Barnaul | FMJ | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Igman | FMJ 60gr | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| TulAmmo | Steel Case FMJ | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Fiocchi | FMJ 60gr | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Silver Bear | Silver Bear | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Wolf Performance | FMJ Steel Case 60gr | 60 | FMJ Steel | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Poongsan | FMJ 60gr | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Wolf | Performance FMJ | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
| Lap | FMJ | 60 | FMJ | 2,953 | 1,162 | — |
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 5.45x39mm Soviet
12 models in the database chamber 5.45x39mm Soviet. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed as Soviet response to US adoption of 5.56mm. After Afghanistan experience with 7.62x39mm, Soviets wanted lighter recoiling, flatter-shooting cartridge. Introduced in 1974 with AK-74. The bullet has unique construction with air space in tip, causing it to tumble violently on impact. Replaced 7.62x39mm as Soviet standard rifle cartridge.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 5.45x39mm Soviet use?
- 5.45x39mm Soviet typically uses a 1:7.87 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 5.45x39mm Soviet?
- 5.45x39mm Soviet uses a 0.2205″ (5.6 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 5.45x39mm Soviet still in production?
- 5.45x39mm Soviet is active; typical availability is moderate.
- What is 5.45x39mm Soviet used for?
- 5.45x39mm Soviet is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 41 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →