Wilson Combat’s New 7.62×40 WT Cartridge for AR Platform
Wilson Combat has come up with a new cartridge, dubbed the 7.62×40 WT (Wilson Tactical). Basically it is a .223 Remington necked up to .308 caliber, i.e. a .30-.223 Rem Wildcat. The cartridge is designed to give .30-cal capability to a standard AR15, using the normal bolt assembly and standard AR15 magazines. An AR15 can be converted to shoot the 7.62×40 WT with just a barrel swap. Note: Don’t confuse this new cartridge with the 7.62×39, the Eastern Bloc military cartridge that has been around for decades. The 7.62×40 WT is not derived from the 7.62×39 in any way. The 7.62×39 has a larger rim size, more body taper, and requires a different magazine and bolt. There have been 7.62×39 adaptations for ARs, but most didn’t function well (usually because of magazine issues). Wilson Combat claims the 7.62×40 WT offers the hitting power of the 7.62×39, but with a cartridge design that feeds and functions 100% in an AR15.
The 7.62×40 WT was designed around an optimal overall cartridge length of 2.250” which is a perfect fit for standard AR mags without shoving the bullet too far down in the case. Wilson says that its 7.62×40 WT barrels are optimally throated for the 2.250″ COAL. Therefore, Wilson claims, the “7.62×40 WT does not suffer from the same inconsistent accuracy issues in the AR platform often seen with the 300 Whisper and 300 BLACKOUT.”
Here are comparative Velocity and Energy numbers for the 7.62×40 WT vs. other cartridges with which it will compete.
7.62×40 WT (16″ Barrel)
110 gr: 2450 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1466 Foot Pounds of Energy
125 gr: 2400 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1599 Foot Pounds of Energy
150 gr: 2200 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1612 Foot Pounds of Energy5.56 NATO (.223 Rem) (16″ Barrel)
55 gr: 3150 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1212 Foot Pounds of Energy
62 gr: 3000 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1239 Foot Pounds of Energy
77 gr: 2750 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1293 Foot Pounds of Energy7.62×39 (16″ Barrel)
123 gr: 2320 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1470 Foot Pounds of Energy6.8 SPC (16″ Barrel)
110 gr: 2550 FPS Muzzle Velocity and 1594 Foot Pounds of Energy
At first it looks like the 7.62×40 WT has more energy than a 7.62×39 and outruns a 6.8 SPC handily. But Wilson omitted some key data for the 7.62×39. Taking load info straight from the Hodgdon Reloading Center, a 7.62×39 can be loaded to 2408 fps with a 125gr bullet, or to 2192 fps with a 150gr bullet at relatively moderate pressures (under 41,000 CUP, or roughly 44,250 psi). A 7.62×39 launching 150-grainers at 2192 fps generates 1601 foot-pounds, virtually the same as Wilson’s 150gr load. So, the 7.62×40 WT has no real advantage (over the 7.62×39).
Is This Cartridge Needed at All?
The “T” in 7.62×40 WT stands for “Tactical”, but we don’t think many police or military units will adopt this round. The 5.56x45mm is too well-established in the AR15/M16 platform and the 7.62×39 is the smart .30-Cal choice for an AK. So what, then, is the real “niche” for the 7.62×40 WT?
We think this round may prove popular with hunters who want to shoot a much heavier bullet out of a standard AR. A 150gr projectile is nearly twice as heavy as the biggest projectile you can shoot from a .223 Rem AR. The bigger bullet should work better on some kinds of game. Wilson Combat says: “Designed for tactical/defense applications as well as hunting for medium-sized game such as deer and feral hogs. For hunting the 7.62×40 WT vastly out performs the 5.56 and is on par with the 6.8 SPC at ranges out to 175-200 yards. The VERY mild recoil of the 7.62×40 WT also makes it ideal for female and younger shooters as well as anyone that’s recoil sensitive.”
Wilson says the 7.62×40 has proven itself as a good hunting cartridge: “A LOT of Texas feral hogs, whitetail deer and predators lost their lives testing the terminal performance of this cartridge! The 7.62×40 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 lbs. or so, but we recommend the 110gr Barnes TTSX for large hogs. The 110gr Sierra HP is a great bullet in the 7.62×40 WT for varmints and predators, and has proven to be one of the most accurate bullets.”
For home defense, it could be argued that the 7.62×40 WT is better than the .223 Rem because the larger, slower .30-Cal projectile has less penetration (through walls), but that would have to be demonstrated with real-world testing. Moreover, there are frangible .224-cal bullets that minimize the risk of over-penetration indoors.
Some benchresters might even tinker with the 7.62×40 WT in a bolt gun for score competition, but we doubt it would prove competitive with the 30 BR which can push a 120gr bullet at around 3000 fps. Wilson’s cartridge does give a paper-puncher the ability to shoot a .30-caliber bullet from a rifle with a .223 bolt face, and that might be attractive to club shooters in informal score matches.
Wilson Combat will be selling 7.62×40 WT loaded ammunition (with 110gr or 125gr bullets), but it is also supporting the reloading market. Wilson offers 7.62×40 WT brass, Hornady 7.62×40 WT dies, and you’ll find extensive load data on the Wilson Combat website. For those who want to put together a 7.62×40 WT AR, Wilson offers pre-chambered 7.62×40 WT barrels, as well as complete 7.62×40 WT uppers. Barrels start at $249.95, while the 7.62×40 WT uppers retail for $1024.95.
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Tags: .223 Remington, 5.56x45, 7.62x39, 7.62x40 WT, hunting, Wilson Tactical
I will be interested in seeing the long term popularity of this round and the 300 BLK.
Ballistics given for the 125 grain bullet are identical to the 300 Whisper.
I’m curious if one loaded with a 168 grain bt will fit in the magazine.
Wouldn’t this be known as the “30 TCU”?
…oh, yet another Whisper (clone) yawn.
Humbly suggest the 30 Major, which is a 6.5 Grendel necked up to 30. It was invented by Mike Ezell to make Major Power Factor.
Evidently, the AMTU thinks it’s the the ticket as they are shooting it…just with a different name.
No accuracy issues, as there are quite a few people shooting it in IBS Varmint For Score bench rest. I’m one of them.
Forming cases is dirt simple. Just lube, run the case over the expander, clean the neck, load and go shoot. Of course, there is a tad more to it for us finicky benchrest shooters.
Greg Jennings
Its already been done, renamed to 7.62covert and fully applied to subsonic/supersonic shooting. Rifles are already tested in bolt and Ar platform “10-16 inch barrels” with perfect success. Reached 2650fps with 125’s
Wilson will have the great honor next year of having invented and obsolete caliber this year.
Congrats,
There are 30AR cartridges on clearance at our local gun stores. What would make this special? I’m missing something here.
I’d be absolutely SHOCKED if this caliber goes anywhere. The only chance it may have is if major ammo makers made cheap ammo for it. As far as hunting goes…the 30 AR has a significant increase in performance and ammo is readily available from Remington. 7.62×39 ammo can be had dirt cheap and if you want to reload…you can get Lapua 7.62×39 brass for only $45/100. I just can’t imagine what they were thinking here…..
Quote: “At first it looks like the 7.62×40 WT has more energy than a 7.62×39 and outruns a 6.8 SPC handily. But Wilson omitted some key data for the 7.62×39.” The same can also be said for the 6.8 SPC data as even Wilson Combat’s own factory loadings for 6.8 get much better performance. I do like this option if I was interested in making something better out of 5.56 brass.
Wilson was thinking of $$profit$$. Like when they sell an FN .308 for 1500 bucks (http://shopwilsoncombat.com/FN-Patrol-Bolt-Rifle-308-Win-Black-Armor-Tuff/productinfo/RIFLE3/) that you could buy for four or five hundred bucks from the CDNN catalog.
I’m doing it. No easier way to convert the anemic .223 to .30. We can’t hunt with the .223 in CT but we can with a .30. Just a barrel, lots of cases on hand, ton’s of .30 cal bullets out there. I have no interest in subsonic or suppressed so this makes sense. Same bolt, same mag. I have my barrel on order.
Sorry to see all the “nay sayr’s” This post is out of date now but… This round has been out there a while. It is 100 times better than any 7.62×39. The x39 rimmed case sticks in AR15 clips. The massive taper is an accuracy killer. The x40 case is almost a straight wall. It is the fastest 30 cal standard AR15 platform period. Though some rounds get close no production level AR15 in 30 cal can beat it. It requires the most inexpensive match grade barrel swap out I have ever seen. The AR15 and the x40WT were made for each other. The perfect choice for a 30 AR15 carbine. 100’s of rounds through mine now. Brass lasts 3 or 4 reloads longer than the 5.56. Not sure why on that but… I like it! The “whisper” the “Black out” all easily outdated with this round. It will shoot a 125grn bullet effortlessly at any AR15 safe pressure .30 cal velocity. All my “trick” AR15 stuff works. Unbelievable accuracy. It is hard not to shoot under an 1″ at 100 yards! It’s to bad this wasn’t around when all the other 30’s were cropping up. It really does it all. Nice job Bill. Very nice. A light MOA semi auto Deer rifle. Mild recoil very strong out to 200-250 yards. It is the best caliber for an AR15 hands down unless you’re using it in dog town. Then I switch to the heavy barrel .223. I have a dedicated Wilson parts upper on it and use it with all my lowers. Again, it is to bad this didn’t take off before the other 30’s out there. No jams, no dinged up cases, low recoil, good power with minimal charge weight makes for some very inexpensive reloading. It definitely likes the rounds Wilson has for it however it loves 25 grns of AA1680 and Hornady SST’s it doesn’t get any better than this in a .30 cal carbine. It makes the 6.8 conversion look foolish. Like I said, no jams, no issues what so ever. It took me 2 eight hour days to progresively crank out 1000 rounds. It was fast and easy. The 2nd time reload will take a few more grains of powder and really get it moving with no signs of over pressure in my gun.
Are you kidding me , even the ak47 7.62×39 can break through 3 cinderblocks. And the barnes penetratror bullet ( which can be put in the 7.62×40)will smash through walls .
I have built a 7.62 x 40 light weight rifle and 10.5 pistol and fully tested both for accuracy and reliability. This is the best tactical round to 400 yards I have seen, and I fired the 5.56 platform for 22 years in the U.S.M.C.
Wilson really missed the boat on this ctg., from my reading, it has too fat a shoulder, and as such, it requires custom magazines.
Too bad, I would have sacrificed a little velocity to get to use standard magazines.
Great cartridge. I hit 2,500fps with 125gr bullets out of an 18″ barrel with ease.
It’s easily a 250 yard cartridge. Zeroed at 200 yards, it’s down less than 5″ at 250. 300, usually about a foot.
I make my brass out of range pickup 5.56.
Magazines are no problem. Use one of the new Blackout magazines, the Lancers or alter a Pmag with a mill bastard file. Easy. Cheap.