6.45x48 mm
| 6.45x48 mm | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||||||
| Type | Rifle | |||||||
| Place of origin |  Luminerra | |||||||
| Service history | ||||||||
| In service | 2001 | |||||||
| Used by | Lumenic Army Lumenic Air Force Lumenic Armada Lumenic Armada Naval Infantry | |||||||
| Production history | ||||||||
| Designer | Royal Defense Research Agency Arsenale Reale e Ordinanza S.p.A | |||||||
| Designed | 198- 1987 | |||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||
| Bullet diameter | 6.65 mm (0.262 in) | |||||||
| Neck diameter | 7.56 mm (0.298 in) | |||||||
| Shoulder diameter | 10.95 mm (0.431 in) | |||||||
| Base diameter | 11.82 mm (0.465 in) | |||||||
| Rim diameter | 11.81 mm (0.465 in) | |||||||
| Rim thickness | 1.55 mm (0.061 in) | |||||||
| Case length | 47.72 mm (1.879 in) | |||||||
| Overall length | 65.06 mm (2.561 in) | |||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||
| ||||||||
6.45x48 mm is an intermediate rifle cartridge that was developed in conjunction with the FC-98 rifle as a potential successor to the Trinovantan 4.85 mm cartridge in use by the Lumenic Legion in the FC-76 assault rifle. The rimless cartridge has a base diameter of 11.82 mm and a case length of 47.72 mm. The bullet is an unusual 6.65 mm diameter (6.45mm refers to the bore diameter), fractionally smaller than the common 6.5 mm (bore diameter) bullet. The 97 gr (6.3 g) bullet was fired at a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) with 2,550 J (1,880 ft⋅lb) of muzzle energy.
The 6.45x48 mm offers similar ballistic performance to the 5.56×45 mm round in terms of velocity loss, drop, and drift, with a slight advantage in energy retention through the flight of the round. In terms of weight, the round is somewhat heavy at 15.4 grams versus the 5.56x45 mm round's 12.3g, however, it is lighter than the 7.65×53 mm round it replace, which weighs in at 18.9 g.
History
Cartridge types
- C98PS (Cartridge, 1998, Ball, Standard): Standardized cartridge first produced in 1998 for the FC-98. It is a brass plated 97 gr (6.3 g) ball round with a steel penetrator tip over a lead core in a full copper jacket. Standard issue from 1990 to 2007. Designed to penetrate standard infantry armor of the time.
- C98V (Cartridge, 1998, Blank): High-pressure blank round for various applications. Denoted with a red lacquer seal
- C98T (Cartridge, 1998, Tracer): 96 gr (6.2 g) tracer cartridge, orange types denote an orange colored tracer. No other colors currently in service.
- C98PP (Cartridge, 1998, Pressure Test): High-pressure cartridge used when proofing weapons during manufacture, test, or repair. This cartridge will always be nickel plated to differentiate them from service ammunition.
- C98F (Cartridge, 1998, Training) 6.45x48 mm inert cartridge with fluted indentations in the case. Used for loading and unloading drills during basic training.
- C05PA (Cartridge, 2005, Armor Piercing): Black-tipped 106 gr (6.9 g) armor piercing cartridge with a tungsten core. Able to penetrate heavier body armor and light obsticles.
- C07TS (Cartridge, 2007, Long Range): Green tipped match grade 120 gr (8 g) long range round for use with the FC-98 and FC-15TS marksmen rifle. It is the only hollow-point round in service with the Lumenic Army.
- C13BPM (Cartridge, 2013, Standard, Enhanced Penetration): 97 gr (6.3 g) with a 19-grain steel penetrator tip over a copper alloy core in a partial copper jacket. Had a blue tip until 2007, when it became standard issue.
- C13T1 (Cartridge, 2013, Tracer, 1st Improvement): Improved 96 gr (6.2 g) tracer cartridge, orange types denote an range colored tracer. No other colors currently in service. Round has improved trace to range consistency and is basically similar to the C02PM
- C13DT (Cartridge, 2013, Tracer, Dim): Reduced effect tracer primarily for use with night vision devices.
- C16S (Cartridge, 2016, Frangible) White tipped 93 gr (6 g) reduced penetration frangible round.
