The Army's new Rifle and Cartridge

[Art]

I guess its as official as it can be, the orders have been placed. Apparently the new weapon and squad automatic weapon will only go to front line troops and the rear eschelon types will still keep the M4. The Marines have already invested heavily in a new weapon that will still use the 5.56 cartridge and a new squad automatic weapon as well.

To get that .270 slug out of a 16" barrel at 3,000+ fps the new round generates a whopping 80,000 psi of chamber pressure and the new round uses a bi metal case with a mostly brass case attached to a stainless steel case head. If you watch video of the rifle being fired recoil looks stout.

I don't see how this can possibly not result in some logistic problems but we'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3oWZhjCrk8

[barretcreek]

$$$$$$$$. How much per round? 80k psi means wear and tear. .422 diameter case @ 80k will require lots more area on the lugs plus better metallurgy. Tactics will be planned around the 6.8 Unobtainium but as you point out logistics will result in the troops reverting to older worn out weaponry. Palladium plated welfare for a retired four star.

[Art]

The most troubling thing to me is most US servicemen, Marines, Navy, Airforce and all Army who are not in Infantry, Combat M.P.s, Engineers or Special Ops will still be carrying the M4, or in the case of the Marines the brand spankin' new M27 also chambered for 5.56 NATO. Tricked out the new rifle is heavier than an M14 by a good bit, and of course you have the heavier ammo.

This is going to be interesting.

[barretcreek]

Forgot to add. Quality control on this two piece case will turn to merde when war time production starts taking shortcuts. How about a case head separation in combat? This thing stinks of a payoff for some senior brass.

[Former Cav]

my understanding was it just used a 6.8 SPC round that was all brass and it was "no big deal"
this does NOT sound good!
Reminds me of that sheridan M551 POS Tank they gave us.

[bruce]

Same mentality as once demanded and ended up with fragile rear sights on Trap Doors, Krags, Springfield 03's, and full auto M-14's. Give them all Ak's in whatever caliber worked well out to say 300-400 yds w/ iron sights or a little further with a decent optic. Then, get on with the business of defending this nation. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

[Allen]

Should have kept the M14.

The M16 and the 5.56 never should have been.

My 2 cents.

[jjrothWA]

Did they have any gun guys" on that committee?

Recalling what the late Major Culver wrote in his M16 Saga's, all I can say is here we go again.

[bruce]

It is what it is. Gun guys gave the Army every single development right through to today. Big problem was folks who wanted the rifles to be more accurate so as to satisfy unrealistic impractical purposes rather than be the best possible design for the requirement ... hitting and killing the enemy. Sincerely. bruce.

[barretcreek]

I dredged up this from the Wayback Machine.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%22Ev...7d4a9baf27c618

[dogtag]

Will the new cartridge chamber in the M4 ?
If it does I can see blow ups looming

[Art]

Will the new cartridge chamber in the M4 ?
If it does I can see blow ups looming

No, it will not.

[jon_norstog]

Should have kept the M14.

The M16 and the 5.56 never should have been.

My 2 cents.

Here's two more cents on top of that.

jn

[barretcreek]

Garand based rifles are hand built by skilled craftsmen. Can you imagine an 80% M-14 receiver? OP rod or bolt and fitting them? AR based weapons, including the new 6.8 Wundergewehr, are just a few precision made parts assembled without much fitting. Most of us have done it; I have two Wilson Combat barrels waiting to finish gestation. DoD needs a cheap, reliable bangbang. The new two piece case will be a serious problem when demand has ammo plants operation 24/7 for sure.

Do I prefer the M1/M14? You bet. Two M1s, an early Springfield M1a and I'd have more if I could.

[dogtag]

I thought the M14 was the perfect rifle. Never found one I could afford,
but I have a small lookalike (180 series Mini 14)