12.7×55mm STs-130


The 12.7×55mm cartridge is used in some Russian firearms such as the VKS [sniper rifle|VKS] bullpup sniper rifle, the ShAK-12 bullpup battle rifle and the RSh-12 revolver. The cartridge can carry a projectile weighing between 108 grains and 1173 grains and is predominantly used to fire heavy subsonic loads. The high penetration VKS round can penetrate up to of steel at or body armor up to List of body [armor performance standards#GOST armor standard (Russia)|GOST 5A] or NIJ III at. The accuracy of this cartridge when loaded with precision VKS bullets is claimed to be one MOA at up to the effective range limit of.
Despite being chambered in the same cartridge, the ShAK-12 would not be able to feed or chamber rounds designed for the VKS due to significant length differences in the bullet component of the cartridge and thus requires its own, shorter, loads. The ShAK-12 rounds have less range compared to the VKS with the maximum effective range of the loads reaching in between.

Cartridge variants for use in the VKS

  • STs-130 - standard
  • STs-130PU - for training
  • STs-130PT - increased accuracy
  • STs-130PT2 - increased accuracy
  • STs-130VPS - increased penetration
The carbine, a manually operated version of the VKS, is also designed for this full-length variant.

Cartridge variants for use in the ShAK-12 assault rifle

  • PS-12 Tyazhelaya Pulya or "Heavy Bullet" - Heavy subsonic lead bullet weighing 33 grams.
  • PS-12A Legkaya Pulya or "Light Bullet" - Light supersonic lead bullet with an aluminum core weighing 7 grams.
  • PS-12B Broneboynaya Pulya or "Armor-Piercing Bullet" - Lead bullet with an armor-piercing component weighing nearly 18 grams.
  • PD-12 Dvukhpul'niy or "Double-Bulleted" - Two bullets loaded inline weighing 17 grams each.
  • STs-174 : civilian hunting load. Case headstamped 12.7x55 МЦ. For revolver carbine, a civilian hunting version of the RSh-12.