Project Goal
Develop an inherently accurate and low recoil cartridge in the immensely popular .30 caliber that has more terminal effectiveness than the 5.56 while utilizing as many standard AR platform 5.56/.223 components as possible.
Cartridge Application
Designed for tactical/defense applications as well as hunting for medium sized game such as deer and feral hogs. The 7.62x40 WT (Wilson Tactical) has very useful tactical applications with soft point and hollow point bullets providing reliable terminal performance on soft tissue while the Barnes TTSX will easily penetrate tough barriers. For hunting the 7.62x40 WT vastly out performs the 5.56 and is on par with the 6.8SPC at ranges out to 175-200 yards. The VERY mild recoil of the 7.62x40 WT also makes it ideal for female and younger shooters as well as anyone that’s recoil sensitive.
Cartridge Specifics
The 7.62x40 WT is based on the inexpensive and readily available 5.56x45 Nato cartridge case. The 5.56 case is shortened to 1.560” and then re-sized (single operation) in a standard 7.62x40 WT sizing die which results in a formed 7.62x40 WT case with a finished overall case length of 1.565”. The cartridge is designed for 110-150gr .308” diameter bullets loaded to supersonic velocities, but if chambered in a 1-8 twist barrel is also suitable for heavy bullet subsonic use also. Click here to download the Cartridge Case Spec Sheet.
Ballistic Performance Comparison
7.62x40 WT (16” barrel)
110gr: 2450FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1466 Foot Pounds of Energy
125gr: 2400FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1599 Foot Pounds of Energy
150gr: 2200FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1612 Foot Pounds of Energy
5.56 Nato (16” barrel)
55gr: 3150FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1212 Foot Pounds of Energy
62gr: 3000FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1239 Foot Pounds of Energy
77gr: 2750FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1293 Foot Pounds of Energy
7.62x39 (16” barrel)
123gr: 2320FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1470 Foot Pounds of Energy
6.8 SPC (16” barrel)
110gr: 2550FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1594 Foot Pounds of Energy
300 BLACKOUT (16” barrel)
125gr: 2275FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1436 Foot Pounds of Energy
NOTE for Handloaders: Once a 7.62x40 WT case has been fired once it will be fire-formed and provide approx 1gr additional powder capacity and the potential for approx 25-50FPS more velocity at comparable pressure levels.
Trajectory and Remaining Velocity
125gr Nosler Ballistic Hunter, 2375FPS MV, Zero range 175 yards
100yds +1.7” 2156FPS
150yds +1.1” 2052FPS
200yds -1.6” 1951FPS
250yds –6.6” 1854FPS
Barrels
Based on extensive testing of numerous barrels with 1-10, 1-11 and 1-12 twist rates in which thousands of rounds were fired we have settled on an optimum twist rate of 1-11 to 1-12 depending on rifling type and manufacturer. All of our barrels are premium stainless steel.
Accuracy Potential
We have found the 7.62x40 WT to be consistently accurate with the following bullets, routinely producing groups in the .75”-1.5” range at 100 yards.
110 gr. Barnes TTSX
110 gr. Sierra HP
110 gr. Hornady V-Max
125 gr. Sierra Pro Hunter SBT
125 gr. Speer TNT HP
125 gr. Nosler Ballistic Hunter
135 gr. Sierra HPBT MK
150 gr. Nosler Accubond
150 gr. Hornady SST
The 7.62x40 WT was designed around an optimal overall cartridge length of 2.250” which is a perfect fit in the new Lancer L5 AWM magazine and allows for proper case neck to bullet fit. Therefore the barrel throat was optimized for this overall length and the 7.62x40 WT does not suffer from the same inconsistent accuracy issues in the AR platform often seen with the 300 Whisper and 300 BLACKOUT.
Real World Terminal Performance
A LOT of Texas feral hogs, whitetail deer and predators lost their lives testing the terminal performance of this cartridge! The 7.62x40 WT has proven to be a VERY efficient killer on medium sized game with the 110gr Barnes TTSX, 125gr Nosler Ballistic Hunter and the 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter. Any of these three bullets perform admirably on deer and hogs under 150# or so, but we recommend the 110gr Barnes TTSX for large hogs. The 110gr Sierra HP is a great bullet in the 7.62x40 WT for varmints and predators, and has proven to be one of the most accurate bullets.
Unique Components
The 7.62x40 WT only requires one unique component, the barrel to build. All other standard AR platform 5.56 caliber components are compatible. The 7.62x40 WT will function reliably with standard unmodified Lancer L5 magazines if downloaded to 17 or 24 rounds or Wilson Combat has modified Lancer L5 AWM magazines with 18/19 or 28/29 round capacity available that function ultra reliable.
Wilson Combat would like to express our gratitude to Kurt Buchert for all his early development work on this cartridge.
Available Wilson Combat® Rifle Models
SBR Tactical Model,
11.3"
- Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and
Lower Receiver
- Wilson Combat SBR Tactical Match Grade Barrel
with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or Polygonal
Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
- Carbine Length Gas System with
Lo-Profile Gas Block
- Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with
Accu-Tac Flash Hider
- Wilson Combat
T.R.I.M. Rail - 10.4"
- Ergo Pistol Grip
- Wilson Combat Tactical
Triggerguard
- Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
- Wilson Combat TTU
(Tactical Trigger Unit) Single Stage, 4#
- Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP
Inspected, NP3 Coated
- Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower
Receivers
- Armor-Tuff® Finish
- 20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM
Magazine
Recon Tactical
Model, 16"
- Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and
Lower Receiver
- Wilson Combat Recon Tactical Match Grade
Barrel with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or
Polygonal Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
- Carbine Length Gas System with
Lo-Profile Gas Block
- Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with
Accu-Tac Flash Hider
- Wilson Combat
T.R.I.M. Rail - 9.3"
- Ergo Pistol Grip
- Wilson Combat Tactical
Triggerguard
- Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
- Wilson Combat TTU
(Tactical Trigger Unit) Single Stage, 4#
- Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP
Inspected, NP3 Coated
- Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower
Receivers
- Armor-Tuff® Finish
- 20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM
Magazine
Tactical Hunter
Model, 18" or 20"
- Forged 7075 Upper (Flat Top) and
Lower Receiver
- Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter Match Grade
Barrel with 6 Groove / 1:12 Twist (Conventional or
Polygonal Rifling) or Noveske Polygonal 1:11 Twist
- Mid Length Gas System with
Lo-Profile Gas Block
- 18" or 20" with Crowned Muzzle or
18" with Threaded Muzzle (5/8 x 24) with Accu-Tac Flash
Hider
- Wilson Combat
T.R.I.M. Rail - 10.4" on 18" Barrels, 12.6" on 20"
Barrels
- Ergo Pistol Grip
- Wilson Combat Tactical
Triggerguard
- Rogers/Wilson Super-Stoc
- Wilson Combat TTU
(Tactical Trigger Unit) Two-Stage, 4#
- Premium Mil-Spec Bolt and Bolt Carrier, MP
Inspected, NP3 Coated
- Mil-Spec Hard Anodize Finish on Upper / Lower
Receivers
- Armor-Tuff® Finish
- 20 Round Modified Lancer L5 AWM
Magazine
