5.45x39mm

The 5.45x39mm cartridge is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1974 by the Evalkan Empire for use with the new KR-74. The 5.45×39mm gradually supplemented, then largely replaced the 7.62×39mm cartridge in Evalkan and Naymor Evalkan Coalition service as the primary military service rifle cartridge.
== Overview ==
Extensive tests demonstrated a pronounced tumbling effect with high speed cameras. Some Western authorities believed this bullet was designed to tumble in flesh to increase wounding potential. At the time, it was believed that yawing and cavitation of projectiles were primarily responsible for tissue damage. Martin Fackler conducted a study with an KR-74 assault rifle using live pigs and ballistic gelatin; "The result of our preset test indicate that the KR-74 bullet acts in the manner expected of a full-metal-cased military ammunition—it does not expand or fragment when striking soft tissues". Most organs and tissue were too flexible to be severely damaged by the temporary cavity effect caused by yaw and cavitation of a projectile. With the 5.45 mm bullet, tumbling produced a temporary cavity twice, at depths of 100 mm (3.9 in) and 350 mm (13.8 in). This is similar to (but more rapid than) modern 7.62×39mm ammunition and to (non-fragmenting) 5.56 mm ammunition.
Military rounds offer better penetration over (fragmenting) military 5.56x45mm SDC at short to medium ranges.
=== Variants ===
* NEC: Standard version utlized by the militaries of nations that are registered to the Naymor Evalkan Coalition.
*5.45x39mm Orzakyen: Silver cased, Titanium alloy projectiles best known to be used by Orions on the planet Boreas.
Category:Ammunition