The .45 Raptor is a rimless centerfire

cartridge Cartridge may refer to: Objects * Cartridge (firearms), a type of modern ammunition * ROM cartridge, a removable component in an electronic device * Cartridge (respirator), a type of filter used in respirators Other uses * Cartridge (surname), a ...

developed for the

AR-10 The ArmaLite AR-10 is a 7.62×51mm NATO battle rifle designed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s and manufactured by ArmaLite (then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation). When first introduced in 1956, the AR-10 used an innovative com ...

semi-automatic rifle A semi-automatic rifle is an autoloading rifle that fires a single cartridge with each pull of the trigger, and uses part of the fired cartridge's energy to eject the case and load another cartridge into the chamber. For comparison, a bolt-a ...

for medium and large game hunting. Compared to similar big bore cartridges designed for the

AR-15 An AR-15-style rifle is any lightweight semi-automatic rifle based on the Colt AR-15 design. The original ArmaLite AR-15 is a scaled-down derivative of Eugene Stoner's ArmaLite AR-10 design. The then Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporatio ...

such as the

.450 Bushmaster The .450 Bushmaster is a rifle cartridge developed by Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms, and licensed to Bushmaster Firearms International. The .450 Bushmaster is designed to be used in standard M16s and AR-15s, using modified magazines and u ...

.458 SOCOM The .458 SOCOM (11.63×40mm) is a moderately large round designed to work in an AR-15 platform. This is achieved by installing a 458 bolt and barrel. The round offers a supersonic muzzle velocity of and , similar to a light .45-70 but with a m ...

, and

.50 Beowulf The .50 Beowulf is a 12mm caliber rifle cartridge developed by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms for use in an AR-15 rifle. Design and specifications The cartridge utilizes a rebated rim, sized to match the rim of the 6.5mm Grendel round. The ...

the 45 Raptor offers higher velocity bullets, a flatter shooting trajectory and the ability to reliably feed hollow point ammunition.

History

Introduced in April 2014, the 45 Raptor was created by Arne Brennan. Brennan is also known for his prior work with the 6.5 PPC cartridge for long range shooting, which contributed to the development of the

6.5 Grendel The 6.5mm Grendel is an intermediate cartridge jointly designed by British-American armorer Bill Alexander, competitive shooter Arne Brennan (of Houston, Texas) and Lapua ballistician Janne Pohjoispää, as a low-recoil, high-precision rifle cart ...

cartridge. The cartridge design is owned by Brennan's company North American Sportsman, LLC.

Design and specifications

The 45 Raptor is a straight wall rifle cartridge that mimics the size of the .460 S&W Magnum. Unlike the .460 S&W Magnum, the 45 Raptor has a rimless design that improves its ability to feed in semi-automatic firearms. The rim matches the specifications of a

.308 Winchester The .308 Winchester is a smokeless powder rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge widely used for hunting, target shooting, police, military, and personal protection applications globally. It is similar but not identical to the 7.62×51mm NATO ...

cartridge. The first 2000 pieces of cartridge brass were processed (skived extractor rim) at

Satern Rifle Barrel Co The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) is a network of volunteer amateur radio operators that provide emergency communications between Salvation Army posts, and pass messages with health and welfare information between the Sal ...

. This can be verified by the .460 S&W head bunting mark on the cartridge case. Barrels also came from Satern Rifle Barrel Co. in the 5R 1-20 twist rate The 45 Raptor uses .460 S&W Magnum loading data and dies. A .308 Winchester shell holder is used during the loading process. To convert an existing AR-10 from .308 Winchester to 45 Raptor, a new barrel with an extension needs to be installed. Additionally, existing magazines will need to be modified. The existing bolt and all other parts do not need to be changed. Brennan moved the feed ramp from the AR-10 barrel extension to the detachable magazines. According to Brennan, this alteration is one reason why the 45 Raptor can feed wide-mouth hollow point rounds better than competing cartridges. Standard, straight-wall magazines are modified by shortening the follower and installing an insert that includes the feed ramp. Curved magazines can accept a custom made curved insert, and are also compatible with the 45 Raptor conversion. Magazine capacity is not altered. The 45 Raptor is a relatively flat shooting cartridge to 200 yards. From muzzle to 200 yards, there is no more than a 3" rise or drop with bullet weights of 185 grains to 300 grains. This means a shooter can shoot into a 6" diameter circle at all distances to 200 yards with no hold over.

Proprietary status

North American Sportsman, LLC has filed for a trademark on the term Raptor as it relates to ammunition. In an interview, Brennan stated he has no intention of charging royalties for the use of the trademark. However, Brennan stated there will be certain requirements for anyone developing 45 Raptor products to ensure a minimum level of quality.

Sporting uses

In addition to general target shooting, the 45 Raptor is an appropriate round for hunting. According to North American Sportsman, LLC, the cartridge is acceptable for taking medium and large game including hog and deer.

References

External links