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The US Army chooses a new round


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I’ve been following the Army as they choose a new rifle and round for it. I’m confused as to why they would chose a round that has to be ramped up to be put in production by Lake City rather than the proven 308. 
I am glad they went to a bigger round though I always felt under powered with the 556. 

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They needed something better than .308 Win, for distance and trajectory, with more punch than 5.56 NATO.  I didn't understand all the shiit they talked years ago about this "magic" 6.8 round, that didn't exist, ever, anywhere - but it makes more sense now that they're talking about it.  They need to defeat body armor at combat distances.  I'll dig up the articles on the new guns, that were built for the new ammo.  Yes, it's SIG again, go figure.  They're crushing .mil contracts left and right.  They're the "favored child" right now.

Research the "277 Fury" cartridge.  It's a 135gr projectile rolling 3,000 feet per second from a 16" barrel... 80,000 psi chamber pressure...  That's some pretty serious WooPow, right there.

Edited by 98Z5V
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Here's a run-down on the gun, and the ammo:

https://gatdaily.com/review-sig-sauer-xm5/

 

From the article:   "Yes, 5.56 works well but we have pretty much tapped it out. "  

I've tapped out 5.56, for distance and accuracy.  I've run 5.56 75gr handloads out to 1,050 yards, accurately, repeatedly.  I've banged 1,100 yards with it, but it's losing serious steam there, and shooting conditions seriously affect when you'll make those hits, for 1,100.  I've run it at 850 yards in a full-value 14.9mph wind, and it's 5.75 mils of wind hold to get it on target, and keep it on target - thank God for high-wind days, to learn that.  At 850 yards in a no-wind condition, it's boringly repeatable.  5.56 gets it done, at distance, and projectile choice is an important factor in "what will happen" at distances like that.  70gr Barnes TSX projectiles rule, for that kind of distance, if you want something "hurt," or need to give something a leak.

Edited by 98Z5V
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I was shooting in a High Power Match in the late 1980's and a group of hot-shot Cadets from the academy showed up.  They had put together rifle team and low and behold they were using the M-16 platform in 5.56.  First time I ever saw that platform used for matches.  I looked at them and their "fancy" black rifles and thought WTF?  Surprisingly they did really good at the shorter ranges, but there was a pretty decent cross-wind that day and they had troubles finding the backer at the longer ranges let alone the 10 ring......FWIW.......

Edited by Cliff R
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Hmmm 6.8 right between 6.5 and 7mm I am sure it will fly well but does it make 5.56 obsolete? i don't think so but it will be interesting to see what production at lake city does... 6.8 will be like a cross between 6.5 Creed and 284 winchester...

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3 hours ago, jtallen83 said:

They cancel billion dollar aircraft on a political whim, it won't be a thing in my book until there are a million rifles out there getting the finish worn off, and the stuff starts hitting the surplus market :thumbup:

Ya that’s a good point anything can still happen 

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14 minutes ago, sagebrush said:

read the article, was interesting. the military went with 6.8, does that mean the 6arc will not be used?

That was specifically developed on a request from SOF, so it'll be staying.  Makes for a pretty mean-ass M4, right there.

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29 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

That was specifically developed on a request from SOF, so it'll be staying.  Makes for a pretty mean-ass M4, right there.

Is it an m4 size, I can’t tell from the pictures. 
I agree looks and sounds like a mean system, and I’d love to get my hands on it. 

Edited by NightStalker
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3 minutes ago, NightStalker said:

We’ve gone full circle and now trying to go back to a big round. Be interesting to see how smaller people handle this system, carry and shooting. 

I'm glad I'm no longer in. The thing is a pig. Heavier rifle, heavier ammo, less ammo. I don't understand the point. These .gov dorks seem to think everybody is rocking modern armor. How many dudes do you see in Ukraine wearing armor? What level is that armor?

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4 minutes ago, NightStalker said:

As hot as it is the right bullet I think it would have a good chance

I wouldn't consider the Grendel cartridge hot, but it does ok in the small frame platform. That and the 6.8 SPS cartridge perform similarly out to range that a large cartridge does much better.

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2 hours ago, Czgunner said:

I'm glad I'm no longer in. The thing is a pig. Heavier rifle, heavier ammo, less ammo. I don't understand the point. These .gov dorks seem to think everybody is rocking modern armor. How many dudes do you see in Ukraine wearing armor? What level is that armor?

I guess Afghanistan proved they need longer range as well. The 7.62x54 I guess really put our guys at disadvantages 

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2 hours ago, Czgunner said:

I wouldn't consider the Grendel cartridge hot, but it does ok in the small frame platform. That and the 6.8 SPS cartridge perform similarly out to range that a large cartridge does much better.

I agree with you I meant it’s a hotter round than the 556 but also think it performs better than the 6.8spc, at least what I’ve seen. Not an expert by no means just what I’ve read and seen in vids. Dang ammo is so expensive to test with right now

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2 minutes ago, NightStalker said:

I agree with you I meant it’s a hotter round than the 556 but also think it performs better than the 6.8spc, at least what I’ve seen. Not an expert by no means just what I’ve read and seen in vids. Dang ammo is so expensive to test with right now

Just be aware that many of these VS presentations are using the anemic Remington 6.8 loads. They screwed up the chamber drawing. If you are using real 6.8 loads, they compete with the Grendel way out there. Handloading is where it's at!

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