37 Mm Gun M3 - Ammunition

Ammunition

The M3 utilized fixed ammunition. Projectiles were fitted with a 37x223R cartridge case, designated Cartridge Case M16. Available projectiles included armor piercing, high explosive and canister.

Available ammunition
Type Model Weight, kg (round/projectile) Filler Muzzle velocity, m/s (M3&M6/M5)
AP-T AP M74 Shot 1.51 / 0.87 - 884 / 870
APCBC-T APC M51 Shot 1.58 / 0.87 - 884 / 870
HE HE M63 Shell 1.42 / 0.73 TNT, 39 g 792 / 782
HE HE Mk II Shell 1.23 / 0.56 TNT, 27 g
Canister Canister M2 1.58 / 0.88 122 steel balls 762 / 752
Target practice with tracer TP M51 Shot 1.54 / 0.87 -
Drill (simulates APC M51) Drill Cartridge M13 1.45 / 0.87 - -
Drill (simulates HE M63) Drill Cartridge T5 1.45 / 0.73 - -
Blank Blank Cartridge 10-gage with adapter M2 0.93 / - - -
Armor penetration, M3 or M6, millimeters
Ammunition \ Distance, yd / m 500 / 457 1,000 / 914 1,500 / 1,371 2,000 / 1,828
AP M74 Shot (meet angle 0°) 36
AP M74 Shot (meet angle 20°) 25
APC M51 Shot (meet angle 0°) 61
APC M51 Shot (meet angle 20°) 53
APC M51 Shot (meet angle 30°, homogeneous armor) 53 46 40 35
APC M51 Shot (meet angle 30°, face-hardened armor) 46 40 38 33
Different methods of armor penetration measurement were used in different countries / periods. Therefore, direct comparison is often impossible.

Armor penetration of the M5 was about 3 mm less at all ranges.

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