====== Ammo: 7.62x39mm ======

===== Overview =====

The 7.62x39mm is the iconic Soviet intermediate cartridge, primarily used by the AK-47, AKM, AK-103, and the Finnish Rk 62 platforms. Compared to NATO 5.56mm, it offers superior **barrier penetration** and raw energy at close-to-medium ranges, but suffers from significantly more **bullet drop** and slower muzzle velocity.



===== Russian (AFRF) Combat Rounds =====

==== 7N23 (BP) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Black Tip
  * **Role:** Modern Armor Piercing The "BP" (Broneboynaya) is the modern standard for high-threat environments. It features a hardened steel core designed to defeat modern body armor.
  * **Pros:** Excellent balance of lethality and armor penetration; reliably defeats Level III plates.
  * **Cons:** Harder to find in large quantities; high recoil compared to 5.45mm counterparts.

==== 57-BZ-231 (BZ) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Black and Red Tip
  * **Role:** Armor-Piercing Incendiary A specialized combat round that combines a hardened penetrator with an incendiary charge.
  * **Pros:** Can ignite vehicle fuel tanks and ammo crates (ACE Cook-off); high chance to start fires on impact.
  * **Cons:** Over-penetrates soft targets; projectile trajectory can be slightly inconsistent at long range.

===== Finnish (GREF/Valmet) Variants =====

==== M78 (Ball) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Plain / Steel Case
  * **Role:** Finnish Standard Issue (Ball) The standard round for the Rk 62 and Rk 95. In RHS: GREF, it is modeled with slightly better consistency than surplus Soviet PS.
  * **Pros:** Very reliable muzzle velocity; high fragmentation in unarmored targets.
  * **Cons:** Struggles against Level IV ballistic plates.

==== M82 (API) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Black and Red Tip
  * **Role:** Finnish Armor-Piercing Incendiary The Finnish equivalent to the Soviet BZ round.
  * **Pros:** Specifically designed for the Valmet platforms (Rk 62/95); provides excellent anti-material performance.
  * **Cons:** Rare availability; high visibility tracers (if using the tracer variant).

===== Legacy & Specialty Rounds =====

==== 57-N-231 (PS) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Plain / Steel Case
  * **Role:** Legacy Standard (Ball) The ubiquitous "Steel Core" ball round. It has been the global standard for decades.
  * **Pros:** Massive availability; punches through wood and thin metal better than 5.56mm Ball.
  * **Cons:** Struggles significantly against modern ceramic body armor; inconsistent fragmentation.

==== 57-N-231U (US) ====

  * **Visual ID:** Black Tip with Green Ring
  * **Role:** Subsonic / Stealth "Umen'shennoy Skorosti" (Reduced Velocity) rounds designed specifically for use with the **PBS-1 Suppressor**.
  * **Pros:** Nearly silent when suppressed; effective for sentry removal without alerting nearby AI.
  * **Cons:** <wrap alert>**Extreme bullet drop.**</wrap> Velocity is roughly 300 m/s. Aiming at 100m+ requires massive hold-over.



===== Tracers & Logistical IDs =====

^ Type ^ Matching Round ^ Notes ^
| **57-N-231P** | T-45 | Green tip. Standard Soviet tracer (Green trace). |
| **6L10** | 57-N-231 | Standard 30rd Bakelite (Orange) magazine pre-loaded with PS. |
| **Rk 62 Mag** | M78 | Finnish steel-ribbed magazine pre-loaded with Finnish Ball. |

===== Ballistic Comparison Table =====

^ Round ^ Weight ^ Velocity ^ Armor Pen. ^ Soft Damage ^ Ideal Range ^
| **57-N-231 (PS)** | 123 gr | 715 m/s | Medium | High | 0 - 300m |
| **7N23 (BP)** | 121 gr | 725 m/s | High | High | 0 - 350m |
| **M82 (API)** | 119 gr | 730 m/s | **Very High** | **Incendiary** | 0 - 300m |
| **57-N-231U (US)**| 193 gr | 300 m/s | Very Low | Moderate | 0 - 100m |

===== Deployment Summary =====

  * **General Infantry (AKM/AK-103):** Standardize on **57-N-231 (PS)** for general suppression and **7N23 (BP)** for armored engagements.
  * **Finnish Forces (Rk 62):** Use **M78** as the primary loadout. The **M82 API** should be reserved for anti-vehicle roles.
  * **Saboteur / Stealth:** Use **57-N-231U (US)** strictly with the **PBS-1 Suppressor**. 
  * **Historical Scenarios:** Use the **6L10 Bakelite** magazines for Cold War era aesthetics.

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**Guide Maintainer:** Community Admin
**Last Updated:** %%DATE%%