5.8mm vs. 6.8mm
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:47 am
While the Chinese army, as reported, has adopted the 5.8mm calliber for its new line of assualt rifles, as reported, the US appears to be leaning towards the 6.8mm cartridge for its new M-8 Assault rifle.
The British conversely but historically intended to adopt a 4.25 mm round and/or a 4.85mm for its own army.
This was done away with when the 5.56 mm Nato round was officialy adopted by the alliance.
The M-8 AR is reported to be more reliable and require much less maintainance than the M-4 Carbine or the Standard M-16 A1 and A2.
In the interim period, also as noted, new upper assemblies could and may be produced in the 6.8mm cal. as the new Assualt Rifle is phased in and/or goes through the teething in period typical of most new weapons systems.
Although this .270 cal round is quite diferent from that considered by the Army in the late 30's (the .276), if I recall correctly, for which which the Pedersen weapons system was originally designed.
Ironically, the Army did not consider the round powerful enough.
Also as noted the base (physical case head)for the new cartridge appears to be the 1906 vintage 30 Reminington cartridge and the development cartridge appears to be the "6.8mm Secial purpose cartridge.
The .30 Remington rifle wasa semi auto of odd design and mediocre hunting power-whose report even sounded odd in the field.
l originally thought that the US and the PLA would be adopting, at least diameter wise, the same caliber weapon.
The 6.8mm SPC could launch a 90 grain pill at about the smae velocity as the present 5.56mm launces its 55gr m185 and ss109 projectiles.
I Am still re researching this mattes, it is a bit tangled..
Don't mistake me, in most arenas the 5.56mm have proved its mettle, but the thought of a more effective cartridge which would fit both the new M-8 design and stilll be usable (albeit with new upper asemblies) in present US small arms seems the best of both worlds---except in the area of logistics should both calibers be fielded at one time.
Well, of course, at one time,during WWII)--the Army had to supply the .45 acp, .30 M2, and.30 Carbine qmmo at the same time to the troops in the fieild, so it is a problem that has been met and dealt with before.
The British conversely but historically intended to adopt a 4.25 mm round and/or a 4.85mm for its own army.
This was done away with when the 5.56 mm Nato round was officialy adopted by the alliance.
The M-8 AR is reported to be more reliable and require much less maintainance than the M-4 Carbine or the Standard M-16 A1 and A2.
In the interim period, also as noted, new upper assemblies could and may be produced in the 6.8mm cal. as the new Assualt Rifle is phased in and/or goes through the teething in period typical of most new weapons systems.
Although this .270 cal round is quite diferent from that considered by the Army in the late 30's (the .276), if I recall correctly, for which which the Pedersen weapons system was originally designed.
Ironically, the Army did not consider the round powerful enough.
Also as noted the base (physical case head)for the new cartridge appears to be the 1906 vintage 30 Reminington cartridge and the development cartridge appears to be the "6.8mm Secial purpose cartridge.
The .30 Remington rifle wasa semi auto of odd design and mediocre hunting power-whose report even sounded odd in the field.
l originally thought that the US and the PLA would be adopting, at least diameter wise, the same caliber weapon.
The 6.8mm SPC could launch a 90 grain pill at about the smae velocity as the present 5.56mm launces its 55gr m185 and ss109 projectiles.
I Am still re researching this mattes, it is a bit tangled..
Don't mistake me, in most arenas the 5.56mm have proved its mettle, but the thought of a more effective cartridge which would fit both the new M-8 design and stilll be usable (albeit with new upper asemblies) in present US small arms seems the best of both worlds---except in the area of logistics should both calibers be fielded at one time.
Well, of course, at one time,during WWII)--the Army had to supply the .45 acp, .30 M2, and.30 Carbine qmmo at the same time to the troops in the fieild, so it is a problem that has been met and dealt with before.