The Army looking for a New Gun/Round

[dsdmmat]

New rifle, bigger bullets: Inside the Army's plan to ditch the M4 and 5.56

So if the new gun is not going to be like the M4 does that mean the AR is no longer to be considered "a weapon of war."

I really hope they go for a 6.5 Creedmoor for their new service round, mainly for selfish reasons. The surplus brass market would be fantastic.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

6.8 spc

 

[dsdmmat]

6.8 spc

I think that round is dead in the Army's eyes.

 

[Darth]

I hear .45 is a pretty good caliber...

 

[dsdmmat]

I hear .45 is a pretty good caliber...

It is but, you have to know how to shoot to be able to take advantage of its magical properties.

 

[kev74]

It is but, you have to know how to shoot to be able to take advantage of its magical properties.

You mean hit what you're aiming at?

That will never catch on.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I think that round is dead in the Army's eyes.

Quite honestly, I think a change in caliber is also dead. The different uniforms already have irked the politicians. Now they want a different caliber then the other services and NATO? I don't see that happening.

 

[dsdmmat]

Quite honestly, I think a change in caliber is also dead. The different uniforms already have irked the politicians. Now they want a different caliber then the other services and NATO? I don't see that happening.

Very true, we forced NATO to accept the 5.56, I cannot see them retooling everything in favor of another caliber the US wants.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Very true, we forced NATO to accept the 5.56, I cannot see them retooling everything in favor of another caliber the US wants.

I blame the Marines for this. When they got a new uniform and patented it, this crap began. Different rifles, different ammo, ect. It's gotten out of control. I remember going to Army PX's to get uniform items as a Marine. No longer.

 

[dsdmmat]

I blame the Marines for this. When they got a new uniform and patented it, this crap began. Different rifles, different ammo, ect. It's gotten out of control. I remember going to Army PX's to get uniform items as a Marine. No longer.

Yeah we used to get issued different uniforms for different AOs and everyone wore the standard OD Green/ BDU uniform at home. now everyone has to be fashionable with their camo.

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't think NATO uniformity in small arms ammo matters anymore. We are adopting 9mm HPs and the new M855A1 round is not compatible with other NATO infantry rifles/carbines. But what would the change it to? The 6.8 is dead to the military and that was the only one getting kicked around. Frankly it would make no sense to change out the 5.56x45 for any cartridge that couldn't also replace the 7.62x51. A heavy 6mm could do the job I think.

 

[capitalcrew]

pls be 6.8 pls

 

[Exonautic]

Why no 6.5 grendel.

 

[Snappo]

I hear .45 is a pretty good caliber...

They should bring back the Thompson 1928 A1. Oh man!

 

[Bananabandit]

Military personnel are so needy. Makes me sick.

 

[Snappo]

I don't think NATO uniformity in small arms ammo matters anymore. We are adopting 9mm HPs and the new M855A1 round is not compatibly with other NATO infantrt rifles/carbines. But what would the change it to? The 6.8 is dead to the military and that was the only one getting kicked around. Frankly itbwould make no sense to change out the 5.56x45 for any cartridge that couldn't also replace the 7.62x51. A heavy 6mm could do the job I think.

5.56 and 7.62 have different applications so I do not think it would be wise for NATO to blend into one round for all applications.
1) They need a light, low recoil system for urban issues and CQB entry. M4 is a solid product in that environment, and ammo weight is low. Perhaps by replacing the 5.56 they could go to some sort of short mag caliber that is somewhere between .22 and .30? Maybe something along the lines of the 270 WSM.
2) They need an LR match grade system for medium range distances out to 1,000+. I suppose they could do the 338 Lapua for all medium and long distances, though the per-system price would go up 3x or more since a 308 rifle (M24, M40, etc) and 338L rifle have different recoil and therefore different part designs. And I shudder to think what the cost would be to Lake City (err - I mean the taxpayers) to leave 7.62NATO and go to something like .338 Lapua. NOTE: What if they ditch 7.62NATO and go to .416 Barrett? That has roughly equal recoil to 338 Lapua (with proper recoil elimination), and has the ballistics of 50 BMG.

 

[Snappo]

Military personnel are so needy. Makes me sick.

Not USAF! We only needed good food, nice sleeping arrangements, and access to streaming porn.

 

[Defilade]

I hear .45 is a pretty good caliber...

Not with frying pans.

 

[Exonautic]

Not with frying pans.

I hear it hits paper pretty well, but best results can be had when held right up against the target.

 

[Saltwater60]

If Obama was in office stillnit would be the .22 because we need to be nice to everyone. Love will save us. The drones would be carrying teddy bears instead of missles.