7.8 SLEC

358_Norma_Magnum.JPG

The first round develped specifically for law enforcement carbine rifles ...

The 7.8 SLEC (7.62x41mm)was specifically designed for law enforcement applications. It was designed to address the lack of stopping power and penetration issues found in the 5.56 NATO which was originally designed for military use. It is known that the military has different doctrine regarding stopping of enemy combatants.

So, Warrior Arms designed the 7.8 SLEC/7.62X41mm to perform better in short barreled carbine rifles of 11.5" to 16" after diminished performance found in the 5.56X45mm NATO when the AR-15 was changed from the rifle configuration to the current M4 carbine. The 7.8 SLEC delivers 52% greater energy than the 5.56 NATO (M4 configuration) at 100-300 meters. Which means to you, fewer shots will be needed to neutralize the incoming threat, something you want in an ACTIVE shooter event. The 7.8 SLEC have more stopping power and better performance then the [7.62x39mm and 7.8 SLEC approaching the performance of the 7.62X51mm NATO cartridge; however, it has far less recoil, is considerably more controllable in rapid fire, and much lighter, allowing operators to carry more ammunition than would otherwise be possible with the larger caliber round. The 7.8 SLEC generates around 1,876 ft·lbf of muzzle energy with a 125 grain JHP bullet. In comparison, the 5.56 NATO round (which the 7.8 SLEC is designed to replace in 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington ) generates around 897 ft-lbf with a 55 grain bullet form a 16" barrel) the 7.8 SLEC gives a terminal ballistic advantage over the 5.56mm of 979 ft-Ibf . This is over twice the energy oF the 5.56 NATO.

Finally, they also addressed the over-penetration issues found in the .30 caliber/7.62mm and the small .22 caliber/5.56mm How did they do that? Since it have more then doubled the [kinetic energy of the 5.56 NATO, they had more leeway in projectile design. they simply made the 7.8 SLEC a fragmentation round which is made of a light-jacketed bullet and powder core which gives it a total weight of 140 grains. This is because it was designed to penetrate and yaw upon entering the cavity which causes the projective to fragment immediately and causes maximum energy transfer and reduces over-penetration.

Periodical References (with no online copy)

  • A. Reloading Master: issue IIV 7.62X41MM, p. 1088.
  • c. Europe Hunter: issue March/2008

See also

  • 7.62x39mm
  • 7.92x33mm Kurz
  • 6.8 mm Remington SPC
  • .223 Remington
  • List of firearms
  • List of handgun cartridges
  • List of rifle cartridges
  • List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • sectional density