Grendel as a Universal Infantry Cartridge

[stanc]

The statement that my argument is baseless sine M1 Garands and M1919's used the same ammo in WWII needs to go away and quick.

It is based on the assumption that we conducted effective close quarters battle with Garands for room-clearing in WWII that would pass off as a viable solution today...

Actually, my comment that two different loadings for carbine and LMG are not necessary is based on the observation that one common loading was used in WWII, and the assumption that what's been done before, can be done again.

Leave 5.56 carbines alone, augment them with a maneuverable SAW in a better caliber, without the mag-length restrictions, and the 6.5mm becomes the answer.

There are a couple of problems with that idea:

a. 6.5 is certainly one possible answer, but without comparative test data, I don't know how anyone can claim it is the answer.

b. That approach requires the adoption of a third caliber, which is not supported by history. A three-caliber system was rejected by the US Army in the early 1970s, and AFAIK, no other army in the world has chosen to use one.

"A Soldier must be able to engage the threat he’s faced with – whether it’s at eight meters or 800." ~PEO Report

The logical extension of the above statement is the replacement of 5.56 NATO with a more powerful, intermediate cartridge.