.224 Boz

The .224 Boz is a centerfire pistol and rifle cartridge developed in the late 1990s by Czech ballistics engineer Bohumil Zalesky. It is primarily intended for military and law enforcement use, designed to penetrate body armor effectively at close ranges.

The cartridge is based on the 10mm Auto case, necked down to accept a .224 caliber (5.7mm) bullet. This high-velocity, lightweight bullet is designed to deliver significant energy upon impact, overcoming the protective capabilities of commonly used body armor. Specific bullet weights and constructions vary depending on the manufacturer and intended purpose, but typically feature hardened steel or tungsten penetrators.

The .224 Boz has seen limited adoption, with its primary applications being within specialized military and law enforcement units seeking enhanced armor-piercing capabilities in a pistol caliber weapon. Due to its specialized nature and potential for misuse, it is not widely available to civilian markets and is often subject to strict regulatory controls. The cartridge’s performance advantages come with trade-offs, including increased muzzle flash and recoil compared to more common handgun calibers.