cory Wrote:...we know the LMG will never be changed to a cartridge different from the cartridge used in the individual carbine...It does seem unlikely to happen. But, there was also a time when sniper rifles were the same caliber as infantry rifles and machine guns, yet today's sniper rifles fire bigger and more powerful rounds. There is no compelling need for magazine-fed rifles to use the same cartridge as belt-fed machine guns. Considering those facts, I think it's conceivable that such a LMG round could become reality.
Quote:In my dream world....Concur. But, I don't see 18-20" barrel length as likely for a future DMR. The carbine version of the M110 sniper rifle has only a 16" barrel, as does the UK L129A1 DMR (and the USMC M27 IAR).
First off there'd need to be a LMG and Carbine/DMR designed, in conjunction, to take a 6.5 Grendel(x39) stretched to a x45 case. With emphasis on the LMG.
16"-20" LMG
12"-14.5" Carbine
18"-20" DMR
The carbine/DMR design would be based off of the AR platform. They'd be crazy not to with it's modularity and the current industry COTs items to select from.
Quote:A 130gr AP load would be developed specifically for the LMG. I'm postulating that a 130gr AP load would be the largest projectile suitable for use in the carbine. A 105gr-115gr AP load would be developed for the carbine.Two different AP loads will never happen, if LMG and carbine are the same caliber. In any case, 130gr seems a very unlikely (too heavy) weight for 6.5mm AP. The M993 7.62mm AP is only ~127 gr.
Quote:A 115gr-125gr HPBT load would be developed for the DMR.Sounds reasonable.
Quote:A 95gr frangible load could be developed for carbine in Gen III Warfare and to stockpiled at the front lines (see South Korea).Extremely unlikely.
Quote:The 5.56 and 7.62 NATO would go away as far as combat troops are concerned. Grunts would be issued a sidearm designed for CQB and a 6.5 Grendel x45mm (stretched Grendel) chambered AR12. The M249 design would be erased from any and all Military databases.Gee, Cory -- With comments like that, a person might get the idea you don't like the M249.
Quote:A LMG would be designed around the Grendel.LRRPF52 wants a new LMG, too. I'd sure like to know who is expected to design and manufacture this hypothetical weapon?
Since dimensions of the "stretched" Grendel (and Tony's GPC) round are so close to those of 7.62 NATO, it seems to me that arms makers like FN and HK would just alter their existing 7.62mm machine guns to take the new cartridge, rather than spending time and $$$ to create a completely new design.