What if the AR15 had not been created?

[stanc]

Would the 6.5 Grendel cartridge never have been developed?

(This question was prompted by a comment in http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...#post15810)

The modern small-caliber, high-velocity cartridge concept was not initiated by Gene Stoner. Indeed, earlier work was done by Davis and Gustafson at Aberdeen's Small Arms Section, where during 1952-53 they modified and tested an M2 carbine to fire the .22 Gustafson (a cartridge they also developed, and which had dimensions similar to the .221 Fireball).




A few years later, Springfield Armory teamed with Remington Arms to make the .224 Springfield cartridge. Earle Harvey adapted his T25 rifle to fire the .224 round.




In the same time period, Winchester also developed a .224 cartridge and rifle.



(L to r): .222 Rem, .224 Springfield, .222 Rem Mag, .222 Special, .223 Rem, .224 Win, 5.56x45.


So, when the call eventually came for a lightweight SCHV rifle to arm the diminutive ARVN soldiers, options would have been available even if the AR15 had not. I think that would inevitably have led to the same type rifle being used by US troops, and eventually to the same perceived deficiencies that spurred development of 6.5 Grendel.

We might not have an AR15, but we'd likely still have 6.5 Grendel.