Alternative to 6.5 Grendel?

[cory]

2.45"-2.55" gives you mags like the G36, which suck to carry unless you're a large-stock Tutonic brute, and even then, that body type can carry as many STANAG 5.56 mags in less space, with the center of gravity of the mags closer to the soldier's C of G, which has become an even more important consideration due to the rampant usage of body armor.

2.5" COL is doable, but pushing the limits, especially for a small-statured soldier who is part of an army that has doctrine based around a significant basic load for individual infantrymen.

A smaller magazine footprint allows placement of other critical tools like commo, the new integrated electronics devices that combine GPS/radio/computer, IFAK, H2O, NVD's, frags, smoke grenades, and special items of equipment.

I'm not a small guy, but I'm not a brute (5'11 190lbs). I always hated having my magazines on my flak. I utilized a drog leg pouch. Much more comfortable, and magazine changes were much more efficient. I reserved the space on flak for a med kit(I could rest my arm on) and frags.