A military small & medium caliber ammunition collection

About the Collection

The cartridge collection consists of military rifle, heavy machine gun, and small- to medium-caliber cannon ammunition. The primary focus is on ammunition up to 35mm caliber made during World War 2 or later, although some specimens do fall outside of these general guidelines.

Within this very broad field, there is a special emphasis on 7.62x51mm NATO, .50 BMG, 30x173mm GAU-8, and experimental ammunition.

Featured Ammunition Exhibit

Small Caliber High Velocity Program (SCHV)

Small Caliber High Velocity Program (SCHV) cartridge exhibit.

The SCHV program was one of several interrelated projects whose aim was to improve the combat effectiveness of the infantry rifle. It was thought that a small-caliber, high-velocity cartridge would have a greater hit probability than the current 7.62x51mm NATO rifle round due to its lower recoil and flatter trajectory.

View the Small Caliber High Velocity Program (SCHV) exhibit

Recent Additions

Last Update: 11 April 2022

.30-06, AP (Standard), M2 L C 5 4

.30-06, United States, AP (Standard), M2, Headstamp: L C 5 4
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7.62mm NATO, Ball (Match) LC 72 MATCH

7.62mm NATO, United States, Ball (Match), Headstamp: LC 72 MATCH
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6 x 44mm pre-SAW, New Unprimed Empty F A 7 1

6 x 44mm pre-SAW, United States, New Unprimed Empty, Headstamp: F A 7 1
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7.62 x 45 mm, Ball ZV 64

7.62 x 45 mm, Czechoslovakia, Ball, Headstamp: ZV 64
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30 x 173mm GAU-8/A, TP, PGU-15/B

30 x 173mm GAU-8/A, United States, TP, PGU-15/B, Headstamp: [none]
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30 x 173mm GAU-8/A, TP H/P

30 x 173mm GAU-8/A, United States, TP, Headstamp: H/P
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.50 BMG, Ball, M33 L . C 1 . 3

.50 BMG, United States, Ball, M33, Headstamp: L . C 1 . 3
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News and Events

Join a Club!

If you're serious about cartridge collecting, consider joining a collector's organization like The International Ammunition Association (IAA) or The European Cartridge Collectors Association (ECRA). The benefits are well worth the modest cost of joining!

Site Updates

We're continuing to work through our backlog of photography. More interesting cartridges should be added in the spring of 2022. Stay tuned!

The St. Louis International Cartridge Show (SLICS)

A shot of the St. Louis International Cartridge Show in 2016.

The 2022 St. Louis International Cartridge Show (SLICS) will take place April 13-16, 2022 at the Marriott Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. This is largest cartridge show in the world and it is well worth attending. For more information visit the SLICS Website.

European Cartridge Research Association (ECRA) International Meeting

The 2022 ECRA International Meeting will hopefully be held the Netherlands, dates to be determined. Contact the European Cartridge Research Association for more information.