Here's an update on FN's .264 LICC (6.5x43)

[m796rider]

FN has delivered .264 LICC weapons and ammo samples to the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate

Interesting notes on the .264 LICC ammo:

"Family of .264 caliber/6.5x43mm ammunition includes:

103gr Reduced Ricochet Limited Penetration with non-toxic primer
120gr Ballistic Match Multipurpose
109gr Copper Monolithic Open Tip
120gr Copper Monolithic Open Tip
125gr Partition Controlled Expansion (LE)

FN-patented projectile coating significantly reduces fouling and barrel wear while delivering superior temperature-stable accuracy compared to copper jacketed or other monolithic ammunition

Machine gun ammunition proven for use in magazine-fed and belt-fed weapon systems

Demonstrated growth capability to handle pressures greater than SAAMI 6.5mm Creedmoor

20% lighter than brass equivalent

NATO Standardization effort underway (STANAG 4884)"

The mags are polymer 25 rounders; they look like Magpul mags.

The rifles look pretty darned cool.

[Huntchic]

Interesting weapon systems. Over the years and back in the day i had the opportunity to shoot/ play with and see a lot of weapon systems used all over the world by other countries and the one thing that i always wanted to see was the general US military go to a more effective round vs the .224 5.56. Certain missions and units used various cartridges but were not a common issue so I'm really happy based of last few years of information and newer developments to see movement around bullets and cartridges in the 6.5 size area. Its time for more effective rifle cartridge and speed up making the change. Now focus on reliability ease of function in hard use harsh environments for that round. One thing i will say is like it or not the AK was a really easy and effective platform that pretty much anyone could get a crash course on and use it and it worked. Had its limitations but was good and simple. Just my 2 cents but then what do i know. Thanks for posting that.

[Matthius]

Serbian army decided not to reinvent the wheel, and use existing 6.5 Grendel as a replacement for legacy 7,62x39.
Main reason - it's more cost effective, than inventing a new cartridge. And since their M19 rifle is based on AKs, it was also easier and less expensive to push into production.
Even better, the rifle allows quick barrel change, without using any tool. The same bolt is used for both cartridges, but different magazines are required.

I wish Polish army requested 6.5 Grendel module for our MSBS rifles. I know a conversion set for 7,62x39 is already available, so it'd be only a matter of making appropriate barrel and gas piston set. Imagine, a 6.5 Grendel bullpup rifle, with 20"-ish barrel...

[LRRPF52]

I’ve heard from behind the scenes industry sources that the velocities generated by .264 LICC are eye-watering.

Crushes 6.5CM brass case easily, with a smaller overall cartridge.

It’s still a .473” case head diameter cartridge though, which limits round count and magazine space on load-bearing gear.

Better than anything based on 7.62 NATO though.

Would make a sick DM set-up and LMG cartridge.

It’s better in every way than the M7 abortion.

[cory]

I'm looking forward to seeing more development on this.