11-14-2011, 08:09 PM
To match the 5.56 tissue-destroying effects with the Grendel, we have to drop to a much lower bullet weight/BC, and therefore lose the long-range benefits of the cartridge if we approach it from a standard construction bullet. The 5.56, even out of 14.5" carbines, smokes along at over 2900fps with light-jacketed bullets that come apart violently at over 2600fps. The 5.56 achieves horrendous hydrostatic tissue displacement often due to 2 factors: high velocity, and bullet construction.
If an expensive bullet with multiple sections like the Mk318 Mod 0 can provide catastrophic tissue destruction at lower velocities, it remains to be seen, but will those bullets still provide the longer range BC of 120gr class .264 projectiles? This is why I day leave 5.56 in it's natural evolution, and look at LMG's/GPMG's.
If an expensive bullet with multiple sections like the Mk318 Mod 0 can provide catastrophic tissue destruction at lower velocities, it remains to be seen, but will those bullets still provide the longer range BC of 120gr class .264 projectiles? This is why I day leave 5.56 in it's natural evolution, and look at LMG's/GPMG's.