Cartridge comparison
5.45x39mm Soviet vs 5.56x45mm NATO
5.45x39mm Soviet and 5.56x45mm NATO are both in the reference; see the full spec comparison below.
Side by side
| 5.45x39mm Soviet | 5.56x45mm NATO | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1974 | 1980 |
| Bullet diameter | 0.2205″ | 0.2244″ |
| Case length | 1.5677″ | 1.7598″ |
| Max pressure | 51,488 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Recoil | 2.5–4 ft·lb | 3.8–5.5 ft·lb |
| Effective range | 500 yd | 600 yd |
Highlighted cells hold the clear edge where both sides have a number. Every figure is a range maximum from the reference; typical loads run lower.
Case profiles, to scale
Drawn to the same scale, so the proportions are true. Physical size varies with your screen.