Re: 6.8mm SPC round Re: XM-8 Rifle

From: Tony Williams (Tony.Williams_at_quarry.nildram.co.uk)
Date: 06/03/04 

Date: 2 Jun 2004 23:52:51 -0700

Abrigon Gusiq <abrigon@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<40BBEF89.98197AF0@yahoo.com>...
> Is it a valid change or what?

Depends what you mean.

If you mean 'would it be a good idea?' then my answer is definitely
yes. It can inflict wounds about 50% larger than the best 5.56mm
loading, which should considerably increase the patchy effectiveness
of the current round. And out to 500-600m it has the same trajectory
as the 7.62x51 (and probably about the same wounding effect). Yet it
has half the recoil of the 7.62x51 (so it can still be used in auto
fire) and the ammo weighs much less. Arguably, the need for the 7.62mm
would go away if the 6.8mm came into general use (although supporters
of the rival 6.5mm Grendel point out that it is even better at long
range). If you want to learn more, read:
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/Assault.htm

If you mean 'is it going to happen?', then that's an entirely
different matter. There are conflicting messages coming from the US
military at the moment; some sources say the 6.8mm is dead even for
the SF use it was designed for, others say that the Army is thinking
about it for the new XM8 rifle. On balance I think it is unlikely to
be adopted, but there is no doubt that the only chance in the
foreseeable future for a change in calibre is now: the new XM8 will
need new magazines and accessories anyway, and the M249 5.56mm MGs are
wearing out and need replacing.

Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Military gun and ammunition discussion forum:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/