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Table of Contents
Ammo: 5.45x39mm Soviet/Russian
Overview The 5.45x39mm is the modern standard for the Russian Armed Forces (AFRF). It was designed to counter the NATO 5.56mm, offering high velocity and a flat trajectory. It is famous for its “poison bullet” effect (extreme tumbling upon impact), though its effectiveness against modern plates depends heavily on the specific 7N-series variant used.
Modern Combat Rounds
==== 7N10 (Enhanced Penetration) ==== * Visual ID: Purple/Violet Ring * Role: Standard Issue (Post-1994) The current “general purpose” round for frontline units. It features a lengthened steel core to improve penetration over the older 7N6. * Pros: Good balance of availability and penetration; effective against mid-tier body armor. * Cons: Struggles against heavy Level IV/V ballistic plates.
==== 7N22 (Armor Piercing) ==== * Visual ID: Black Tip / Dark Ring * Role: Specialized Anti-Armor Utilizes a hardened high-carbon steel penetrator. This is the Russian answer to high-end NATO body armor. * Pros: Excellent armor penetration; maintains lethal energy through light cover. * Cons: Rare in common stockpiles; slightly lower “flesh damage” due to rigid core.
==== 7N24 (Super Armor Piercing) ==== * Visual ID: Black Tip / Specialized Markings * Role: Elite AP The “Tungsten” round. Features a tungsten-carbide core for maximum penetration. * Pros: Will punch through almost any infantry-scale armor in Arma 3 RHS. * Cons: Extremely rare; limited utility against unarmored targets (over-penetration).
Legacy & Specialty Rounds
==== 7N6 / 7N6M (Ball) ==== * Visual ID: Red Ring / Plain * Role: Cold War Standard The original 5.45 round. Famous for its hollow air pocket in the tip that causes the bullet to tumble (yaw) immediately upon impact. * Pros: Devastating soft-tissue damage; extremely high fragmentation. * Cons: Very poor penetration against modern ceramic plates.
==== 7U1 (Subsonic) ==== * Visual ID: Black and Green Tip * Role: Stealth / Suppressed Specifically designed for the AK-74 with a PBS-4 suppressor. * Warning: Extreme bullet drop. This round travels at ~300 m/s. Use only for short-range stealth sentry removal. * Pros: Nearly silent when used with a PBS-4 suppressor. * Cons: Minimal effective range; requires significant hold-over.
==== 7T3 (Tracer) ==== * Visual ID: Green Tip * Role: Signalling The standard green tracer for the 5.45 family. * Notes: Matches the ballistics of 7N6. Essential for machine gunners (RPK-74) to track fire.
Ballistic Comparison Table
| Round | Weight | Velocity | Armor Pen. | Soft Damage | Ideal Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7N6M | 53 gr | High | Low | Very High | 0 - 350m |
| 7N10 | 56 gr | High | Medium | High | 0 - 400m |
| 7N22 | 57 gr | High | High | Medium | 0 - 400m |
| 7N24 | 63 gr | High | Extreme | Low | 0 - 350m |
| 7T3 | 50 gr | High | Low | Medium | 0 - 300m |
| 7U1 | 80 gr | Subsonic | Very Low | High | 0 - 100m |
Deployment Summary
* Frontline Rifleman (AK-74M / AK-12): Standardize on 7N10. It provides the necessary penetration for modern combat environments. * CQB / Urban Ops: Prioritize 7N22 if available to ensure targets behind light cover or in heavy vests are neutralized quickly. * Stealth Infiltration: Use 7U1 only in conjunction with the PBS-4 suppressor. Ensure optics are zeroed for subsonic travel. * Guerilla / Insurgent Ops: Expect to find 7N6. Aim for “soft spots” (limbs/face) if the enemy is wearing heavy NATO-standard armor.
Guide Maintainer: Community Admin Last Updated: DATE Related Guides: 5.56mm NATO | 7.62mm Soviet