An AK-47 bullet can travel a significant distance, with its effective firing range being 350 meters (380 yards), meaning it can accurately engage targets up to this range. However, its adjustable iron sights are calibrated to allow for shooting up to 800 meters, indicating the bullet's potential travel distance beyond its effective range, although accuracy diminishes considerably at longer distances.
The travel distance of an AK-47 bullet is influenced by several factors, including its muzzle velocity and the design of the ammunition.
Understanding AK-47 Range Specifications
The provided specifications for the AK-47 offer key insights into its ballistic capabilities:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s) |
| Effective Firing Range | 350 m (380 yd) |
| Adjustable Sights | 100–800 m adjustable iron sights |
Let's break down what these ranges signify:
- Effective Firing Range (350 meters): This is the distance at which a shooter can realistically expect to hit a target with reasonable accuracy. Beyond this range, the bullet's trajectory becomes more unpredictable, and external factors like wind have a greater impact. For typical combat scenarios, 350 meters represents the practical limit for consistent engagement.
- Adjustable Sights (up to 800 meters): The fact that the AK-47's iron sights can be adjusted for distances up to 800 meters indicates that the bullet retains enough energy and follows a predictable enough trajectory to potentially reach targets at this extended range. While accurate hits are less probable compared to the effective range, the bullet can physically travel this far. This adjustment compensates for bullet drop over longer distances.
- Muzzle Velocity (715 m/s): The high muzzle velocity of the AK-47's 7.62x39mm round is a primary factor in its ability to travel considerable distances. This initial speed helps the bullet maintain its energy and trajectory for longer periods before air resistance and gravity cause it to slow down and drop significantly.
In summary, while an AK-47 bullet is effectively accurate up to 350 meters, it is designed to allow for potential engagement and can physically travel distances up to at least 800 meters based on its sight adjustments.
