Initially used on anti-materiel rifles like the PTRS-41, it was later used on heavy machine guns like the KPV. Despite its original usage to destroy tanks, it was later used mostly as an anti-personnel round, due to the fact that it had trouble penetrating most German armor in the late stages of the war. It was effective against light armor like trucks and cars however. More powerful than its American counterpart, the 12.7x99mm (0.50 BMG) round, it continues to be used today, where it is an effective weapon against armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.