Optimized Caliber

[stanc]

The 2011 NDIA Small Arms presentations are now online.

Jim Schatz makes a proposal very similar to that given by Tony Williams in 2010.

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2011smallar...1456Schatz.pdf

Warning: 7 MB file size

[stanc]

Here are the specs I would like to see, and I guarantee that soldiers and small unit leaders would welcome:

1) System replaces M249 SAW and M240 machineguns for dismounts
2) Cartridge offers ballistic improvements over 5.56 NATO in trajectory, wind drift and penetration of mud brick, cinder block, and vehicles at 500m
3) Cartridge weighs less than 7.62 NATO, allowing at least a 20% threshold increase in ammunition carrying capacity in linked form, with an objective of 30%...without losing any elevation trajectory or penetration of equal mediums at 700m

How about 37% lighter than 7.62 NATO, and 8% lighter than 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, with flatter trajectory than any of those?

For an optimized military cartridge, 6x41 looks really good to me. Not only for a new LMG, but also for conversion of 5.56 rifles.
http://68forums.com/forums/showthrea...l=1#post154811

[HANKA]

Stan, I wouldn't cry too much over such a cartridge, but the specs posted in the link would need to be verified in the real world. Every wildcatter's fantasy has amazing performance until independently verified under conditions and configurations which may not show it quite in the light the wildcatter would hope.

John

[bwaites]

Hmmm....Same case capacity as the 6.8, but shooting a 95 grain bullet at velocities that are similar to the AR Turbo, which has more case capacity. I'm not convinced its going to work!

[stanc]

Interesting Israeli 7mm "intermediate" cartridge discovered.

http://iaaforum.org/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11781

[stanc]

Thread on Tony Williams' forum about using a KelTec bullpup rifle to test and evaluate the 6.5/8/800 concept:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mb/...gun&msg=4861.1

[LRRPF52]

That's funny, because I was just thinking about the Universal Infantry Cartridge Thread and I walked away thinking that the 800m and CQB requirement could be met with a bullpup with .260 Rem or 6.5x47 Lapua ballistics. If you used a polygonal rifled barrel, you could maybe increase the barrel life. Since the Grendel already will bite the heels of .260 Rem out of a bolt gun, I would lean towards the Grendel case with longer mag COAL, meaning a new magazine design entirely. The bullpup would also need a larger bolt geometry to take the pressures, since we are talking about a higher pressure cartridge no matter how you look at it. To get the pressures more moderate, you need to increase case capacity and that means larger mags, less mag capacity, etc.

With the magazine in the rear of the weapon, you do face certain prone profile limitations that aren't ideal, especially if you're using a magazine with more capacity than 20rds. I don't think the mag change issue is a huge deal, and ejection is solved with the forward eject system prototyped by the Soviets that everyone is copying now. The real hurdles that would need to be overcome would be ergonomic interface as to mag release and bolt catch/bolt hold-open with the firing hand.

The Tavor has addressed the selector control, but it has a mag release that requires two hands, and the bolt stop is at the toe of the butt of all places. I like bullpups, but have yet to see a real viable platform with the features I like, to include the above ergonomic interface devices that are standard on the AR.

To the layman, we are basically re-visiting the EM-2/.280 Enfield.

[sgt_murf]

To the layman, we are basically re-visiting the EM-2/.280 Enfield.

Ya noticed that too????? aka .280 British version one is realllllll close to the Grrrrr
But I figured I would get FLAMED and BBQ over mentioning it.......... wait why is everyone holding those torches

[txgunner00]

Interesting but the 2900 does seem a bit optimistic.

[stanc]

Interesting but the 2900 does seem a bit optimistic.

I think MV of the 6x41 has since been revised down to 2800 fps.