Magnum AK-47

[El_Machinae]

I've fired a .38 and a .357 magnum. As far as I can tell, the bullet is sufficiently the same, but the powder is in different quantities.

I was wondering if there was a way to get the round from an AK-47 'magnumised'? Is there some way to upgrade the bullet, even if it wears out the gun sooner?

Edit: None of us are experts. Kids, don't try this at home.

 

[IglooDame]

I've fired a .38 and a .357 magnum. As far as I can tell, the bullet is sufficiently the same, but the powder is in different quantities.

I was wondering if there was a way to get the round from an AK-47 'magnumised'? Is there some way to upgrade the bullet, even if it wears out the gun sooner?

You're correct, to a point - the shell casing (the brass part) and the gun itself are both made stronger to safely handle the higher pressures. Also I think the .357 brass is longer to permit more powder volume.

I don't know enough about the AK-47 to say for sure, but I'd imagine those that load their own rounds could add more powder in, assuming the brass and rifle could take the additional strain. Might have to toughen up the recoil spring, too.

 

[nonconformist]

Does the AK-47 not use the standard 7.62mm Soviet cartridge?

 

[El_Machinae]

I believe it uses the 7.62.

I was wondering if the cartridge could be modified to give more power, because there is a LOT of durability in the AK-47

 

[nonconformist]

Use full metal jacket instead of hollowpoint, maybe? And use a longer cartridge?

 

[Che Guava]

I've fired a .38 and a .357 magnum. As far as I can tell, the bullet is sufficiently the same, but the powder is in different quantities.

I was wondering if there was a way to get the round from an AK-47 'magnumised'? Is there some way to upgrade the bullet, even if it wears out the gun sooner?

Um, what exactly do you have planned...?

 

[Kozmos]

It's obvious isnt it....he plans to rob a high profile target in order to gain more funds for research of various techmologies.

 

[El_Machinae]

Well, after firing an FN, I don't know if an AK-47 would even suit my preferences. And I certainly don't think a magnum AK-47 could be properly handled.

I'm just curious if the energy of each bullet can be elevated.

 

[nonconformist]

Well, after firing an FN, I don't know if an AK-47 would even suit my preferences. And I certainly don't think a magnum AK-47 could be properly handled.

I'm just curious if the energy of each bullet can be elevated.

You mean a .38 cal AK47?

I think there might be AP rounds for the AK, but don't qote me on that.

 

[El_Machinae]

No, I've fired a .38 pistol and a .357 magnum pistol. That's why I was wondering if the 'magnum' theme was available in assault rifles.

 

[IglooDame]

You mean a .38 cal AK47?

I think there might be AP rounds for the AK, but don't qote me on that.

Yeah, I think steel-cored rounds are available, though legality probably depends on who you are and where you are.

 

[Leha]

AK-47 uses 7.62 mm rounds

AK-72 uses 5.45 rounds

 

[MobBoss]

Basically you are asking how to increase the muzzle velocity of the round. Couple of ways to do this. Increase the powder charge. Decrease the grain weight of the round. Increase the rifling grooves inside the rifle, but that will wear out your barrel quicker. Altering the length of the barrel. Alter the aerodynamics of the shape of the round itself.

None of these should be done lightly and certainly not if you have no idea what you are doing. Even with a weapon as reliable as the AK-47, significant modifications to how it basically functions can result in a massive malfunction that results in possible dismemberment or death.

 

[El_Machinae]

Thanks guys! I don't want to decrease the weight of the round (don't worry, this is just for some fiction I'm working on). Could the 7.62 carry more powder?

The idea of increasing the groove is interesting. If my theory is correct, it would allow a more complete burn of the powder, so there's less wasted explosion. The same with a longer barrel. Am I close?

MobBoss: very wise to include a warning regarding safety. I should have done that in the beginning post. It's a family forum, after all.

 

[MobBoss]

Thanks guys! I don't want to decrease the weight of the round (don't worry, this is just for some fiction I'm working on). Could the 7.62 carry more powder?

The idea of increasing the groove is interesting. If my theory is correct, it would allow a more complete burn of the powder, so there's less wasted explosion. The same with a longer barrel. Am I close?

Close yes. More turns in the barrel or a longer barrel basically increase the pressure required by the charge to expel the round out of the weapon. More pressure = greater muzzle velocity. Modern powders in the round itself burn so fast that it isnt really a "more complete" burn, but a change in barrel length or an increase in turns would ever-so-slightly increase the time the round spends in the weapon before it exits the barrel. Now in some black powder weapons the powder burn can be more of an issue.

MobBoss: very wise to include a warning regarding safety. I should have done that in the beginning post. It's a family forum, after all.

 

[Kozmos]

Just get a Colt Single Action Army. Those things look damn awesome

 

[Leonel]

As if the bullet spin of an AK-47 wasn't bad enough.

 

[Shaihulud]

Is not a magnum a handgun? AK-47 is an assault rifle, in my experience assault rifle has muh more powder charge than a handgun and therefore much more powerful, for the same calber. Wouldn't magnumising the bullet for an AK-47 reduce its killing power?

 

[7ronin]

Are you trying to pull a McGyver? Maybe if we knew what the real question is we might be able to give you a better answer.

 

[nonconformist]

AK-47 uses 7.62 mm rounds

AK-72 uses 5.45 rounds

Do you mean the 72, or the 74?
I've heard of the latter, but not the former.