Earlier we reported about the first leaked images of the new Russian 9.6x53mm Lancaster cartridge. Recently, Molot published a video explaining the features and showing the details concerning this new cartridge.

The 9.6x53mm Lancaster cartridge was developed by Russian Molot and Techcrim companies. It is based on the 7.62x54R case which was trimmed and necked up to accept 10.3mm diameter bullets. The shoulder of the parent case is also moved back. What makes this cartridge a bit different is that it is designed specifically to be used with oval bore (Lancaster rifling) firearms. The unusual designation of 9.6mm with a 10.3mm bullet diameter is because after leaving the oval bore, the bullet’s cross-section becomes oval too with the narrowest portion (width of oval) measuring 9.6mm.

The absence of traditional grooves and lands qualifies these firearms as shotguns according to Russian and some post-Soviet countries’ legislations. That allows owning such a firearm without the need of mandatory 5-year shotgun ownership experience required for acquiring a rifled firearm. Although the Lancaster rifling is probably not as precise as the normal rifling, it still provides performance pretty close to a rifled firearm.

The load with a 230 grain (15 gram) FMJ bullet has a muzzle velocity of 750 m/s (2,460 fps) and muzzle energy of more than 4,000 J (about 3,000 ft lbs). At 100 meters the muzzle velocity drops to about 585 m/s (2,000 fps).

The G1 projectile has a ballistic coefficient of .207. If zeroed at 100 meters (the barrel length is not specified) it will hit about an inch high up to 50 meters as shown in the above image. The 230 grain bullet will drop 4.8″ and 10″ at 150 and 175 meter distances respectively.

Molot has shown a comparison drawing of the two cartridges, however, there are no official CIP specs yet. As soon as the CIP specifications and drawings of this cartridge are published, I’ll add an update to this article.

If you understand Russian, you may like to watch the mentioned video which is embedded below.

More details on this cartridge and firearms chambered in this caliber will be released during the Arms&Hunting exhibition held in Moscow in October 2017.

UPDATE: Closeup images of Lancaster barrel. A view from the breech:

and from the muzzle.