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.60 cal (15,2x114) APDS projectile ?

orpheus72

orpheus72

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Got this .60 cal (15,2x114) APDS ? this week.
Does anyone have some more info on this projectile ? (not sure if the 1944 dated case is correct with the projectile)

The sabot part is some kind of hard rubber/composite material, and the penetrator is made from a magnet attractive alloy.
Took me some work to remove the core (an improvised version of a inertia-puller did the trick) so i could take the measurements. (see picures).


I can’t find any info on this particular projectile (not even in the "History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition" books), and the search function learns me that the ‘.60’ search parameter is not good enough for a site search.

Thanks.
 

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I would say that this is an experimental APDS round made at Frankford Arsenal, USA in 1944.
 
Possibly a bit of a 'stuffer', the sabot(insert) could be from a 20mm or larger.
The material would be unlikely as a complete sabot, more likely to need a metal pusher at/around the base,creating a larger calibre projectile.

Bob.
 
Bob,

I agree with you on the unusual material for the sabot, but there are more of these around...
The sabot seems to be molded at exact dimensions...
Not to forget, they did try the strangest things in those days...
Hope someone has some periodic (unpublished) info on this particular (and of course of all other .60) rounds.

Geert.
 
Geert,

Just some thoughts below.

The development of the .60caal was initially driven as an anti-tank weapon.By 1944 development was largely for aircraft machine gun,something these sabots wouldn't stand up to much.
For a purely plastic/rubber/? material sabot (without a pusher,carrier shell) to be of any use it would have to be in very low velocity weapon. Possibly a test/development type projectile?.

As for info on the .60cals ,seems to be only the reference you have quoted,I would love to see more info too,as these were an interesting development toward the current (still) in service 20mms.

cheers
Bob
 
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