Grendel as a Universal Infantry Cartridge

[LR1955]

The bad news is that the US Army are going ahead with the carbine competition which everyone with an interest is 100% certain will resuilt in 5.56mm being confirmed and 90% certain that none of the competitors will be found to be so much better than the Product Improved M4 that the change will be worth it.

The good news is that it is confirmed that the JSSAST panel withdrew new funding from LSAT unless they can demonstrate downrange performance superior to the 5.56mm M249 LMG. It was announced publically that JSSAP will conduct a Caliber Study for LSAT in support of improved downrange performance. It will include 6.5mm as well as 7.62mm NATO.

Perhaps JSSAP would fund some experimentation and bullet development with 6.5mm Grendel?

Tony / Joe et. al:

This is why I say you must be able to offer something that can be proven to be a quantum improvement before someone will want to dump billions into re-tooling an entire industry.

I am not sure what can be done with a 6.5mm bullet that hasn't already been done or that would cost so much money to produce that it would bankrupt the nation. The bullet has been around for over a hundred years and has been thoroughly developed in terms of military, hunting, and competitive shooting. Unless you develop a powder that produces greater than 50% higher velocity with a 50% reduction in pressure, you won't get the speeds out of a 30 grain capacity 6.5mm cartridge that will allow it to compete with a 5.56 or 7.62 that doesn't need any more development.

LR1955