This is a relatively new cartridge, developed by Chinese experts during mid- to late 1980s. Today it is a main infantry cartridge in the PLA, which is chambered in assault rifles, light and universal machine guns and sniper rifles. For latter applications (machine guns and sniping) a long-range version was developed that features heavier bullet and higher pressure load. Later on, a new “universal” load, designated DBP-10, was introduced into service.
| Designation | Bullet weight, g | Muzzle velocity, m/s | Muzzle energy, J | Comments |
| 5.8×42 DAP-87 | 4.15 | 790 | 1290 | standard military ball bullet from carbine |
| 5.8×42 DAP-87 | 4.15 | 930 | 1790 | standard military ball bullet from standard assult rifle |
| 5.8×42 DBP-10 | 4.6 | 915 | 1925 | universal military ball bullet from standard assult rifle |
Encyclopedia of firearms and ammunition of the XX and XXI centuries
All texts are written by Maxim Popenker © 1999-2025
