A sectioned view of the 5.8x42mm DBP-88's hardened-steel armor-piercing core. (Photo: TacticalGunFan)

While it's fairly simple to theorize what the Chinese engineers might do to improve the basic Type 95, the big mystery surrounds what new cartridge it'll chamber.

The simplest solution to improve the rifle's performance would be to retire the standard 64-grain 5.8x42mm DBP-87/95 loadings in favor of the 75-grain DBP-88 Heavy Ball loading.

The DBP-88's a higher-pressure load developed for both the QBU-88 sniper rifle and QJY-88 GPMG. The Chinese list an effective range of 800 meters for the QBU-88 and 1,000 meters for the QJY-88. This would be the easiest solution if the People's Liberation Army (PLA) wishes to double the effective range from 400 to 800 meters.

A switch to the DBP-88 Heavy Ball would also provide an increase in penetration. The latest Chinese ammunition designs have placed a great deal of emphasis on the penetration of modern body armor. The current-issue 5.8x21mm and 9x19mm military loads are both armor-piercing. As to be expected, the DBP-88's an armor-piercing load as well, with a hardened steel core. However, the core design's an improvement on the lighter DBP-87/95, and offers a step up in performance.

A Closer Look

An examination of a Heavy ball round produced at Factory 945 in 2005 showed it to be loaded using a copper-washed steel case with a Berdan primer. Seated into the case was a FMJ-BT projectile with a copper-washed steel jacket. No color code is utilized.

When pulled and measured, the projectile showed a .235-inch (5.99mm) diameter with a length of 26.1mm. While Chinese sources list projectile weight at 75 grains, the example TacticalGunFan weighed came in at a lighter 70.3 grains. The projectile doesn't have a cannelure.

One upgrade the Chinese may make is to have the Type 95 chamber its 5.8x42mm DBP-88 Heavy Ball round. Left to right: 5.45x39mm, 5.8x42mm, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm. (Photo: TacticalGunFan)

Design-wise, this projectile's quite different from the standard DBP-87 ball round in both its shape and location of the steel penetrator. The PLA claims this load will penetrate a 3mm-thick A3 steel plate at 1,000 meters. If true, it would indicate this load outperforms the PLA's older 7.62x54R Type 53 round in regards to steel-plate penetration.

Penetration of this load at common infantry engagement distances would be impressive, especially compared to the US 5.56x45mm M855 ball round or the Russian 5.45x39mm 7N6 ball load. Such a load might be a viable threat to modern military hard plates as well.

It's also possible the Chinese could be in development of an entirely new cartridge to improve the range, as well as the terminal performance and penetration. During testing conducted by the PLA, the 5.8x42mm DBP-87 load was outperformed by both the 5.56x45mm SS109 and 5.45x39mm 7N6 regarding terminal performance.

Testing was performed using both artificial medium and dogs that weighed approximately 35 pounds. At the time, the Chinese felt the tradeoff of poorer terminal performance for increased penetration was acceptable. Whether this remains the case isn't known. However, what can be certain is the newer generation of recently developed US intermediate cartridges, such as the 6.8x43mm SPC and 6.5x38mm Grendel, hasn't been lost on the Chinese.

While it's almost certain the Chinese will simply hotrod their existing 5.8x42mm, they could indeed have developed an entirely new cartridge.

It should be noted, though, that actually extending the effective range of the rifle from 400 to 800 meters will require more than just a new load or cartridge. The standard Type 95 iron sights are only useful out to approximately 500 meters on a known-distance range.

A comparison (left to right) of a 5.56x45mm M855, 5.8x42mm DBP-88 and 5.45x39mm 7N6 projectiles. (Photo: TacticalGunFan)

Grenade Possibilities

The desire for a quick-firing grenade launcher is also interesting. This piece would attach to the front of the weapon. One mockup observed was magazine fed, manually operated and approximately 25mm. However, further details aren't currently unknown.

Obviously, a quick-firing, magazine-fed grenade launcher would improve the firepower of the basic PLA infantry squad. However, it would also drastically increase the weight of the weapon and the soldier's ammunition load. All it would take would be the addition of 3 pounds to turn a light and handy weapon into a sluggish dog.

The West will get its first look at the new design Oct. 1, when it's revealed at the National Day parade.

Notable

> To read a prior TacticalGunFan story about China's new QBU-88 sniper rifle, click here.

- End of part 2 (of 2) -

Comments (0)