Our military adopting the Grendel?

[stanc]

More I think about it the LMG concept LR is sounding off about, is sounding better and better.

I think an intermediate-caliber LMG is fundamentally a good concept, but I'm not sure that 6.5 Grendel is the best choice.

For one thing, in order to match 7.62 NATO muzzle velocity, he's talking about loading the cartridge to bolt-gun pressures (60,000 psi? 65,000 psi? Maybe higher?). That can't be good for weapon durability.

For another, it depends on the ability to develop a viable metallic link, a feat that has not yet been shown to be doable.

IMO, the SPC case is a better option. It not only has been shown to be compatible with the existing link design, but Wilson Combat has (AR-safe) 110gr 6.8 SPC factory loads that equal 7.62 M80 velocity. Since 5.56 mag dimensions are not a constraint, longer, more ballistically-efficient bullets can be used to equal or better M80 trajectory.

I like 6.5 Grendel in its current OAL and chamber pressure to replace 5.56 NATO. But not in longer OAL and max'd out pressure solely for LMG use.