What is this new 6.8mm military round?

[Questor]

What's it for? Was it developed by the ghost of Jack O'Connor-- because it's a .270? What do we know about it?

[ricciardelli]

It's another attempt by the military desk-jockeys to re-invent the wheel!

[Questor]

That seems reasonable. It looks like it could be renamed the .270 WSNM (Winchester Short Non-Magnum)

[John Traveler]

Yeah, that sounds right... some military desk jockies and civilian ballistics experts figured that a .270 bullet on a cartridge case that would feed and function in the M16A2/M4 platform would give improved short range stopping power.  It supposedly includes easy conversion of existing weapons stocks to the new caliber.

There was a writeup on it in the Army Times newspaper a couple months ago... complete with "I-wuz-there" combat failure to stop anectdotes.

Supposedly, it uses a proprietary new miracle bullet material and process to get this greatly increases stopping ability, and that the Pentagon was reluctant to release details for security reasons.  The contractor is pushing for it to be adopted as an alternate standard for Special Operations soldiers.

Personally, I don't think it's ever gonna happen, regardless of how much hype and influence the contractor has with the Department of Defense procurement agencies.  Knowing the Government weapons testing establishment, the 5.56x45 NATO M16A2/M4 caliber and ammunition is going to remain military standard for a LONG time.

John

[calvon]

Apparently the parent cartridge is the old .30 Remington, shortened to .223 length so as to function through present M16 style rifles, with an unusual 6.8 mm bullet. The reason for the latter escapes a lot of us. If the Army does adopt it I'd say it's a step up from the 5.56 mm that is standard now. Go to the url below for a story with pictures.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/

[Robert]

I thought the US was too proud to adopt the 7.62X39 for a battle cartridge.....but...This new round looks pretty good.  I t dosent take more room than a .223 but it outperforms a 7.62x39....apparently  That is good....I want one

[persistentprogrammer]

Did anyone watch the history of the M16? They compared it to the KALASHNIKOV AK47 which came about at the same time. It's darn scary the M16, it had tons of troubles and apparently caused many of the deaths in Vietnam (according to the show) because it jammed often and required so much cleaning. The AK 47 is perfect for Gorilla gun fighting, it never jams, and despite it's inherent inaccuracy, it's put too many good people to rest. Any new issue gun is a blessing. In my humble opinion anything is better than the M16.

All due respect to the troops!

[papajohn428]

The problems with the M-16 in Vietnam were attributed to Winchester changing the powder without bothering to tell anyone.  The gun and round were designed to use ball powder, W-W changed to an extruded powder to save a few pennies and it was a disaster, the guns got gummy much faster, and the cleaning kits for them hadn't even been issued to the troops in many cases.  Once the bugs were worked out, it ran fine.  While the AK is indeed a fine weapon, and designed to work under field conditions, the M-16 was a far better weapon in accuracy and lethality.

At the same time, I'm enthusiastic about the 6.8SPC.  A better bullet design, better long-range effectiveness, and enhanced lethality at all ranges.  Too bad they didn't have them at Mogadishu, that might have ended much better if our troops weren't shooting AP bullets into human targets that barely noticed being hit!

PJ