7.5x54 French

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7.5x54 MAS cartridge
7.5x54 MAS cartridge

The 7.5x54 MAS (7.5 French) 1929 cartridge was developed by France as an update to the 7.5 x 57 mm MAS mod. 1924 cartridge. In terms of power it falls between 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308) and .30-06 Springfield cartridges.

Note that the 7.5 French cartridge is not the same as the similar 7.5 x 55 Schmidt Rubin (7.5 Swiss) and users should never try to interchange the two.

Contents

[edit] History & General Information

By World War I France realized that it needed to update its revolutionary, but awkward, 8 mm Lebel ammunition. Unfortunately due to occupation and loss of materials and supplies it was not able to do so until after the war had ended. In 1924 the 7.5x57 MAS cartridge was introduced but was soon replaced with the 7.5x54 MAS. France made two main variations for military use, the 1924C and 1924D, being light and heavy ball, respectively. While many countries chose their heavy ball ammunition, France chose to keep the light ball ammunition for main service use. For the MAS-36 and MAS-49 rifles Balle C ammo is preferable. Balle D is best for machine gun usage. Tracers, incendiary, training, etc. 7.5 MAS ammo was created for use by the military as well as a modified form of the cartridge as a hunting round.

[edit] Specifications

Overall Length:       2.981 Inches
FPS:       Approximately 2,700 FPS   
Pressure: Approximately 40,000 PSI       

[edit] Balle 'C'

Projectile:  139 grain (9 grams) FMJ Spitzer 
Powder:      44.78 grains (2.90 grams) of BPF1 or B.Ba.

[edit] Balle 'D'

Projectile:  191.6 grain (12.4 grams) FMJ boat tail Spitzer.
Powder:      38 grain (2.46 grams) of BPF1.

[edit] References

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