Our military adopting the Grendel?

[sgt_murf]

I think an intermediate-caliber LMG is fundamentally a good concept, but I'm not sure that 6.5 Grendel is the best choice.

For one thing, in order to match 7.62 NATO muzzle velocity, he's talking about loading the cartridge to bolt-gun pressures (60,000 psi? 65,000 psi? Maybe higher?). That can't be good for weapon durability.

For another, it depends on the ability to develop a viable metallic link, a feat that has not yet been shown to be doable.

IMO, the SPC case is a better option. It not only has been shown to be compatible with the existing link design, but Wilson Combat has (AR-safe) 110gr 6.8 SPC factory loads that equal 7.62 M80 velocity. Since 5.56 mag dimensions are not a constraint, longer, more ballistically-efficient bullets can be used to equal or better M80 trajectory.

I like 6.5 Grendel in its current OAL and chamber pressure to replace 5.56 NATO. But not in longer OAL and max'd out pressure solely for LMG use.

Stanc
if we get away from the M16 type bolt then you can hot rod the cartridge, the cartridge can stand it just the AR/M16 platform can't with it's current bolt lock up if one was to use a 240b bolt in a bullpup as Paul mentitioned , I mentioned a crabon wrapped barrel to save weight, use a control weapon of maybe the MG 42 or even the m249 for relablity and rate of fire sustained. One could turn the cartridge loose from it's chains, if "we" had not shutdown all the arsenals (small arms) from developing and building prototypes one could be done for testing (maybe it has, just I don't know fer sure). In theory one could almost achieve the match to the .308 <<<<< here is where the Users of a bolt guns chambered in 6.5G need to kick in with some assistance without a bolt gun and data /facts I'm talking out my tail end.
It would not really be much differant that the 9mm ammo we have now ----high and reg pressure just don't feed yer M9 SMG 9mm --- ask some SEALs (not picking on them, just unfornate that it happened) beside UNLESS you are way deep in True Combat (100 enemy and 5 rounds remaining) Soldier will not unbelt the ammo for a rifle.

another way that the Infantry weapon "could" use the higher pressure in the 6.5 G is a Total bolt redesign then ya might as well redesign the whole weapon in the same size and the M4/A4 egros and weights capability.