Future of Military rifles

[ironhead]

I have been reading up on the new round being worked up for the U.S. Military. This new 6.8 mm sounds impressive. Its being worked in on rifles with many of the M-16 parts, but it is a .270 caliber. Testing has put it at the nearly the performance of a .308 only flatter shooting. Effective kill range is said to be around 300 yards. Looks like most arms manufacturers are looking at putting out a rifle in this caliber, Barrett is also putting one out for military use.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

The old 5.56 is a good round,but it could use a upgrade no dount.

[crosscountry2]

I'm still a fan of 7.62

[ironhead]

Its been argued for years that the 5.56 is too small. I have posted their theory of why they use it before. I believe in putting the target down,,dont let them get back up and come at you again. I still get upset that the .45 auto was replaced. With the new hi-capacity versions,,,oh baby, thats firepower i can dig, or the 10mm. My brother saw me double tap a .45 into a coyote and about crapped his pants LOL. I am also a huge fan of the M-14 and the M-1 Garand.

[crosscountry2]

Its been argued for years that the 5.56 is too small. I have posted their theory of why they use it before. I believe in putting the target down,,dont let them get back up and come at you again. I still get upset that the .45 auto was replaced. With the new hi-capacity versions,,,oh baby, thats firepower i can dig, or the 10mm. My brother saw me double tap a .45 into a coyote and about crapped his pants LOL. I am also a huge fan of the M-14 and the M-1 Garand.

To bad the cheaper garands that are actually affordable, are really inacurate because of barrel wear. You really gotta put some work into them to make them accurate again. My brothers got one, and it is just about the most fun rifle i have ever shot in my life.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

They need to upgrade the old M14,sweet shooter there.

[ironhead]

I am a huge fan of the M14, would like to see it in this new caliber,,,i bet it would be a dandy!

[oldzimm]

I know it is a little late for this post, but I have to ask. What is wrong with the M-14 that it needs to be upgraded? When I was doing my time over in the sandbox, I would of traded my M-16 for a M-14 in a heart beat. I would of taken the stopping power over seeing how fast I can put those little bullets down range.

I'm not trying to give anybody a hard time, its just my 2 cents. I lived with the .223 round every day for almost a year and I grown to dislike the round. LOL My son bought a M-4 Bushmaster this summer and probably wonders why I don't jump for joy over it.

[ironhead]

No prob,,, they are upgrading for the exact reason you mention,,,the 5.56 does not have the ability to put someone out of commission permanently on a consistant basis. They are moving back to "put em down,,,keep em down" mentality. Apparently they are going to start with putting them in Special Forces hands first.

[oldzimm]

I know why the military decided on the 5.56 round in the 1960's. Prior to the 60's most men in the military came from backgrounds where shooting was a part of their life, hunting for sport or just the need to put meat on the table for their family.
From the 60's to the present most of our military personnel have never had a firearm in there hands prior to the service, they didn't know how to deal with the recoil, so the military decided to go for a rifle that was more user friendly, hence the birth of the M-16. I should add that another reason for the M-16 was a person could carry more .223 ammo, more than can be carried with 30-06 ammo.
I think the 6.8 round in the M-16 type weapon could be a good idea, we have the best of both worlds, more power and recoil that our men and women in uniform can handle.