03-11-2011, 06:24 AM
Can you tell me more about the .25 Bailey?
Also, the quest is for a cartridge that would fulfill the GPMG role, so it would be in either the M-240 or whatever weapon replaces the M-240.
So, the resulting cartridge would replace both the 5.56 and the 7.62 NATO rounds in just about everything but the aviation applications. I will note, however, that the folks pushing this haven't discussed the vehicular, aviation, or Gatling gun roles the 7.62 NATO is also used for. I think the discussion will ultimately have to enter this area as well, and might drive a conclusion that what we currently have is about as good as it gets.
If the debate did not include the GPMG mission but covered only the assault rifle through battle rifle, including designated marksman role, then I think a strong argument exists for a 90 gr .224" bullet in a cartridge based on the .22 PPC. Problem is that the GPMG is normally part of the platoon, and the goal is to keep the platoon lethality at least as high as it is now while either reducing weight carried or increasing number of rounds within the current weight carried. That seems to be driving the discussion to calibers larger than .224" or 5.56mm.
So, it comes down to how we define equivalence...
Also, the quest is for a cartridge that would fulfill the GPMG role, so it would be in either the M-240 or whatever weapon replaces the M-240.
So, the resulting cartridge would replace both the 5.56 and the 7.62 NATO rounds in just about everything but the aviation applications. I will note, however, that the folks pushing this haven't discussed the vehicular, aviation, or Gatling gun roles the 7.62 NATO is also used for. I think the discussion will ultimately have to enter this area as well, and might drive a conclusion that what we currently have is about as good as it gets.
If the debate did not include the GPMG mission but covered only the assault rifle through battle rifle, including designated marksman role, then I think a strong argument exists for a 90 gr .224" bullet in a cartridge based on the .22 PPC. Problem is that the GPMG is normally part of the platoon, and the goal is to keep the platoon lethality at least as high as it is now while either reducing weight carried or increasing number of rounds within the current weight carried. That seems to be driving the discussion to calibers larger than .224" or 5.56mm.
So, it comes down to how we define equivalence...