01-19-2012, 05:49 AM
So I walked up to DSA's booth today at SHOT, looking to float the 6.5 Grendel/RPD conversion, when they told me to go look at the gun on the counter. It was chambered in 6.8 SPC, with plenty of rounds in the non-disintegrating links from 7.62x39. That would provide some advantage over 7.62x39, but I think we can all agree that the Grendel would give the gun a true 800m beaten zone capability that is superior to the 6.8 SPC, and would provide better penetration within 500m on barriers with higher sectional density bullets too.
I spent some time talking with one of their engineers about the project, and ironed out what he needs to make it happen. Since the RPD has 4 gas settings already on the gas block/regulator, we could use a large gas port on a test barrel and mitigate with the existing block as-is, since their is a wide spread in ga sport diameters in the regulator. Grendel fits in 7.62x39 links already as we have seen, so all we need is a barrel and we're on the way. I have to tell you... that RPD with a 100rd SAW nutsack and the 6.8 linked is really lightweight. It would make an awesome LMG to have everything in that weight & length profile, since the gun is something like 14lbs. The bolt will take high pressures too.
I spent some time talking with one of their engineers about the project, and ironed out what he needs to make it happen. Since the RPD has 4 gas settings already on the gas block/regulator, we could use a large gas port on a test barrel and mitigate with the existing block as-is, since their is a wide spread in ga sport diameters in the regulator. Grendel fits in 7.62x39 links already as we have seen, so all we need is a barrel and we're on the way. I have to tell you... that RPD with a 100rd SAW nutsack and the 6.8 linked is really lightweight. It would make an awesome LMG to have everything in that weight & length profile, since the gun is something like 14lbs. The bolt will take high pressures too.