Will the Army choosing the 6.8 make it as popular as the 5.56 and perhaps even eclipse it?

[golden]

The army WILL CHANGE calibers for several reasons. One, the TRUMP administration and a Republican controlled congress are willing to pay for it and a government agency NEVER TURNS DOWN MONEY. Just look at all the agencies that got new guns after 9-11!
Second, if they do not, the MARINES may change the rifle without them and that is not allowed, at least by the rules the ARMY goes by. The USMC has decided to replace the M-4 carbine. They bought about 13,000 H&K model 416 rifles as squad automatic weapons called the M-27. Now they are buying 30.000 more. If they buy another 30,000, the majority of the USMC infantry units will be standardized on the M-27 or a derivative of the M-27. They can still issue the M-4 to rear echelon troops. This will force the ARMY to buy a new rifle whether it wants to (it does not) or not. So, if the ARMY buys a new caliber, then the USMC will have to buy the new rifle instead of getting one they select.
If this sounds childish and petty, you have to work in the U.S. government to see it as an everyday occurrence.
Third, it will give the ARMY a real advantage in a war where the 5.56 is found to be too short ranged and with limited effectiveness at medium range. It would also allow the adoption of a medium caliber squad automatic weapon to replace the M-249 with a longer ranged weapon which would not have to weigh a great deal more, like the M-240 does in 7.62 mm.
It might even replace the M-240 medium machine gun in some applications with an increase in ammo for the same weight or storage space. Like in the M2/3 BRADLEY vehicle, M-1 ABRAMS tank or even the STRYKER vehicle. All are already using up internal space to other equipment.
The real test will be the same one that the LEO's are going through with the 9m.m. versus .40 S&W. Power versus recoil, qualification scores versus power and cost of equipment (ammo). If the ARMY buys something, they will get a huge discount in price.

Just my opinion,
Jim

 

[94045]

The last I heard they had only chosen the projectile not the cartridge..

Do the math... Almost as heavy ie large as 7.62x51 (Requires exotic casing to make 10% Weight Reduction), 3300 fps out of a 16" barrel, out penetrates 7.62x51 Armor Piercing at 600 meters. Operates at 60,000-80,000 psi.

I think the last is the hang up. Until they see what pressures they can get the required durability out of they are not able to scale the case and weapons system size.

At any rate it ain't going to be AR15 compatable.

It goes to SAM and DMR first but it's intended to eventually make it's way to the great unwashed.

Now anyone want to talk about SOCOM replacing their 7.62x51 Designated Marksman Rifles with the 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What I hope more than anything is that the 6.5 gets passed by. I don't hate the 6.5 but most of the 6.5 fans are a little to obnoxious for my liking.

Imagine if they put it in a Glock or an HK.

Having made that joke, I'm a happy HK owner.

 

[Slamfire]

Operates at 60,000-80,000 psi

EEK! Those pressures are way too high. Unless they are making cases out of adamantium, those pressures are not going to work out well in practice.

 

[94045]

EEK! Those pressures are way too high. Unless they are making cases out of adamantium, those pressures are not going to work out well in practice.

6.5 Creedmoor is 63,091 psi CIP and 62,000 psi SAAMI.

7.62x51 (.308 Win) is 62,000 psi or 52,000 CUP.

I suspect the Military was talking CUP and so wants to operate at 20-60% above current pressurees. I have unconfirmed reports that current 7.62 NATO is loaded at 50,000 CUP (Apprixinately 59,500 psi).

80,000 psi I believe is similar to the Main Gun on a M1A2 Abrams Tank