03-13-2013, 09:25 PM
Here's my take on it-
From a logistics standpiont, the greater number of different ammunition in the supply system, the more difficult things become. Why run a mix of 6.5 and 6x35 carbines when the 6.5 can do the job? I understand the need for a compact weapon for vehicle crews, but a 6.5, 10in barrel carbine in something like a Robarm XCR or Sig 556 would give the same, if not better, performance at distance, with no need for multiple calibers, and be compact. Everyone would be using the same ammo and mags.
The company Only Long Range, has a 338 LM piston driven, semi auto with a 26" barrel and 10+1 capacity. It was featured on the cover of the October 2011 issue of Special Weapons Magazine. I don't think we'll ever get away from the 50 BMG completely, but having a 6.5 LMG backed by 338 MMG would lighten the load, as a smaller number of MMG's would be needed. This would also increase effective range of each weapon in the arsenal by a minimum of several hundred yards, with the exception of the 50BMG, although the argument could be made to trade it out with the 416 Barrett.
From a logistics standpiont, the greater number of different ammunition in the supply system, the more difficult things become. Why run a mix of 6.5 and 6x35 carbines when the 6.5 can do the job? I understand the need for a compact weapon for vehicle crews, but a 6.5, 10in barrel carbine in something like a Robarm XCR or Sig 556 would give the same, if not better, performance at distance, with no need for multiple calibers, and be compact. Everyone would be using the same ammo and mags.
The company Only Long Range, has a 338 LM piston driven, semi auto with a 26" barrel and 10+1 capacity. It was featured on the cover of the October 2011 issue of Special Weapons Magazine. I don't think we'll ever get away from the 50 BMG completely, but having a 6.5 LMG backed by 338 MMG would lighten the load, as a smaller number of MMG's would be needed. This would also increase effective range of each weapon in the arsenal by a minimum of several hundred yards, with the exception of the 50BMG, although the argument could be made to trade it out with the 416 Barrett.